Heating oil has continually evolved since it became the primary source of heating fuel for homeowners in the 1950s, and one of the most significant changes over the years has been the industry’s effort to reduce carbon emissions.
As a result, today’s heating oil burns more cleanly, with lower emissions. Consumers also benefit from better heating efficiency and easier maintenance, since highly refined, renewable and ultra-low sulfur Bioheat® creates fewer deposits on heat exchangers.
In The Future: Becoming Carbon-Neutral
Looking ahead, the heating oil industry is committed to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. As ultra-low sulfur Bioheat becomes more widespread in the coming years, home heating oil will move closer and closer to becoming a carbon-neutral fuel. This and other innovations within the industry will help to keep heating oil as a leader in America’s clean energy evolution.
How Oilheat Has Become Cleaner Over The Years
Thanks to major advances in technology, oilheating systems burn 95% cleaner than they did in the 1970s.
High-efficiency furnaces and boilersuse substantially less oil now (about 500 gallons fewer gallons per year compared with systems used in the 1970s.)
Oilheat systems are cleaner and produce lower emissions than ever before. Modern oil burners emit near-zero levels of pollution; heating with oil today means no odors, soot or other residue in your home.
The latest heating systems are small, smart and super-efficient and can save you 20% or more on your annual heating costs.
Solar and geothermal energies can be integrated with oilheat in hybrid systems for water heating. That means a household’s water can be heated with little or no fuel required. A solar water heater can reduce water heating bills by as much as 80% and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 6,000 lbs.*
In recent years, fuel refiners have been able to steadily reduce the sulfur content of heating oil, and today many heating oil customers in Michigan receive heating oil with an ultra-low sulfur content. This has drastically reduced harmful emissions, with the extra benefit of increased energy efficiency and less wear and tear on equipment.
Contact your local heating oil company to learn more about modern oilheat and be sure to ask about available equipment rebatesfor new oilheating equipment. These rebates include $600 for a new oilheat boiler or furnace, $400 for a new oilheat storage tank or $1,000 for installing both a new oilheating system and an oil storage tank.
Heating oil has continually evolved since it became the primary source of heating fuel for homeowners in the 1950s, and one of the most significant changes over the years has been the industry’s effort to reduce carbon emissions.