Myth: The heating oil industry is dependent on foreign energy from hostile suppliers.

Facts

This “myth” is complete nonsense. The United States produces the vast majority of its heating oil and imports 10 to 15 percent from Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Canada and Mexico also provide the United States with a significant amount of its crude oil. Advances such as Bioheat® mean more heating oil can be produced in the Midwest instead of the Middle East. And new exploration technologies such as horizontal drilling also mean the United States can responsibly produce more oil at home. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

5 Surprising Oilheat Facts:

1. The average AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of a new Oilheat system is in the low-to mid-80s. These efficiency levels were reached even before a federal mandate required that all heating systems have a minimum AFUE of 78%.
2. Thanks to major technological advancements, the newest Oilheat systems (condensing boilers and furnaces) have AFUE ratings that exceed 92%.
3. Oilheated homes warm up quickly and provide even, efficient heat. For every gallon of oil burned, a whopping 138,000 Btus (British Thermal Units) of heat is generated and the flame temperature of Oilheat systems reaches about 3,000.
4. There are about 10 million Oilheated homes in the United States; 350,000 of them were built in the past decade.
5. Millions of homes in Europe rely on Oilheat for comfort. Germany and Italy, along with the United States, are leaders in the manufacture of Oilheat equipment.

Happy Thanksgiving--keep warm with oilheat this holiday season!!!

Myth: Oilheat today is inefficient.

Fact: Oilheating systems in use today use substantially less fuel than they did just 20 years ago. For example, an average home that used more than 1,200 gallons of heating oil in 1989 now uses only 900 gallons, or 25% less. This decrease in usage is attributable to advances in equipment efficiency and household conservation. New heating oil systems boast energy efficiency ratings from 83 to 94%.

Sources: National Oilheat Research Alliance, American Petroleum Institute

Liquefied Natural Gas is Just Another Dirty Fossil Fuel
LNG is natural gas - primarily methane - which has been chilled to minus 260 degrees
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency - methane is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, second only to carbon dioxide, and is about 21 times more powerful at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. 

Today's Oilheat: Peace of Mind

When it comes to your home and your family, you want your heating system to be safe and efficient. That's why Oilheat is your best choice when it comes to reliable comfort.

Here are ways in which Oilheat exemplifies safety and dependability:

• It will not burn in a liquid state. In order to light heating oil on fire, you must heat it above 140 degrees, the temperature at which it begins to vaporize.
  
• There are visible warnings if there is a malfunction. With home heating oil systems, carbon monoxide leaks rarely happen without warning. If an Oilheat system should malfunction, it will release smoke or soot as a visible warning; these serve as early indicators that something is wrong, long before dangerous carbon monoxide can be released into the air.
  
• It is non-explosive. Heating oil is not explosive.

Oilheat: GREEN FUTURE!

Oilheat has a great, green future, and bio fuels plays an important role. There are now blends of traditional heating oil and renewable biofuels available that are derived from plants and food byproducts. The fuels blend easily and burn flawlessly in existing Oilheat systems.

What are the benefits of Bio Fuels?

• Produced domestically, incorporates biofuel made from crops like soy or from food byproducts. Both sources are renewable and can replace imported oil.
• Bio fuels are extremely clean burning with reduced sulfur and particulate emissions, making them environmentally friendly. It costs just about the same as "regular oil." You don't have to make any modifications to your burner or tank. You don't have to change your budget plan, payment plan, service contract or warranties.

Bioheat Benefits

Bioheat Benefits for Homeowners:

• Bioheat produces the same satisfying heat as "regular oil."
• It costs just about the same as "regular oil."
• It lubricates heating system.
• You don't have to make any modifications to your burner or tank.
• You don't have to buy any new equipment.
• You don't have to change your budget plan, payment plan, service contract or warranties.

Wondering what makes up Bioheat? These every-day products of nature can be used to produce the alternative environment-friendly fuel:

• Avocado • Brazil Nut • Calendula • Cashew • Castor Bean • Coconut • Coffee • Corn • Cotton • Euphorbia • Hazelnut

• Hemp • Jojoba • Linseed • Lupine • Macadamia Nut • Oat • Oil Palm • Olive Tree • Palm • Peanut • Pecan

• Pumpkin Seed • Rapeseed • Rice • Rubber Seed • Safflower • Sesame • Soybean • Sunflower • Tung Oil Tree

Testing conducted by the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) found that a Bioheat blend of 80% low-sulfur heating oil and 20% biodiesel (B20) reduced sulfur oxide emissions by as much as 80% or more. Nitrogen oxide emissions were lowered by about 20%. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by 20%. 

If everyone using heating oil used a B5 blend (5% biodiesel/95% heating oil), 400 million gallons of regular heating oil could be conserved. This would be a big step towards conserving oil, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Bioheat: it's good for the environment

Oilheat has just gotten smarter - it's eating its vegetables!

Bioheat - heating oil blended with biodegradable, organic materials such as soybean oil - is one of the "hottest" things happening in home comfort. Renewable and non-toxic, Bioheat is not only kind to Mother Earth; it's kind to heating systems, too.

Bioheat Characteristics:

• Domestically produced, soy-based Bioheat can literally be grown at home - helping to support our nation's farmers and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
  
• It is extremely clean burning.
  
• It has the highest Btu content of any alternative fuel.

Oilheat is a great value!

Heating oil is dependable, abundant, and is economically beneficial. Oilheat, therefore, remains an affordable and value-packed choice.

• Oilheat is economical. If you adjust for inflation, the price of heating oil is actually less than it was in 1980! Plus, competition among local Oilheat companies helps to ensure a better value.
  
• Oilheat is efficient. Thanks to major advancements being made in Oilheat burner technology, some Oilheat systems now boast efficiency ratings of over 95%! Modern Oilheat equipment actually burns less fuel. The average annual fuel consumption in 1973 was 1,294 gallons; and now it is only 833 gallons - that's 35% less fuel.

Oilheat is abundant and safe

There's an abundant - and safe - supply of Oilheat to keep all of America warm and comfortable for many years to come.

In the United States today, 9.5 million households use Oilheat. Based on an average of 2.6 or more persons per household, it is estimated that over 24.5 million consumers in our nation benefit from heating oil each year.

Myth: Natural gas is a domestic product.

Truth: The United State has only 4% of the world's natural gas reserves, while 73% is located in Russia, Eurasia and the Middle East, according to a May 2009 report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). U.S. natural gas consumption is expected to increase by 18% by 2030, and DOE states that domestic production cannot keep pace with demand growth. "An increasing amount of imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be required to meet anticipated consumption," DOE stated in a 2007 report.

Myth: Oilheat is bad for the environment

Myth: Oilheat is bad for the environment.

Truth: Oilheat produces near-zero levels of emissions today and is not regulated by the Federal Clean Air Act.²Equipment manufacturers are introducing new oil burners that further reduce emissions by "reburning" the flue gases created inside a boiler or furnace. The Oilheat industry will soon adopt new reduced-sulfur blends that can be mixed with biofuel to create one of the cleanest heating fuels available.


Myth: Natural gas use benefits the environment.

Truth: Natural gas is 95% methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 72 times the Global Warming Potential of carbon dioxide. Methane losses from natural gas systems account for 18 percent of total worldwide methane emissions, according to the international organization Methane to Markets. Although methane is a potent contributor to global climate change, many U.S. gas utilities tolerate leakage as long it does not pose an immediate threat of explosion or fire.

Oilheat Council Airs New Ad

MOC Fires Back at Negative Gas Utility Advertising

 

The Massachusetts Oilheat Council (MOC) and the American Energy Coalition (AEC) have launched a radio campaign across Massachusetts in response to the recent radio campaign by the gas utilities that painted an unfair and misleading portrait of Oilheat, the retailers who dutifully and effectively serve over 950,000 homeowners across the state, and Oilheating efficiency and cleanliness.

The radio campaign is currently running on several major radio stations in the Boston market as well as stations in Pittsfield and Springfield. Radio listeners across the state are hearing:

“Nobody likes a bully. Right now, some of the biggest bullies in Massachusetts are the gas utilities. They are trying to destroy Oilheat’s image and confuse Oilheat customers with misleading advertising that hides some very important truths.”

To listen to the entire 60-second radio commercial created by MOC and AEC, follow this link:
http://www.americanenergycoalition.org/radio2011.php

A video version of the commercial is also available on YouTube and AEC’s web site via the following links:http://youtu.be/ZVz1Twgkk8A & http://www.americanenergycoalition.org

Gas VS Oil: The Truth

Don't Be Swayed By Misleading Gas Utility Advertising

Consumers need to know that National Grid’s current radio advertising campaign in Massachusetts paints an unfair and misleading portrait of Oilheat and the retailers who dutifully and effectively serve over 950,000 homeowners across the state.

Oilheat systems for both space heating and hot water production are highly efficient and rival those systems fueled by natural gas. Moreover, the heating oil sold in Massachusetts is becoming cleaner and greener every day as more retailers offer a fuel that is blended with advanced biofuels and ultra low sulfur heating oil. And full-service heating oil dealers pride themselves on unsurpassed customer service by making sure their customers never run out of fuel, and by responding to customer needs 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.'


Affordable Oil Burner Service TM


Serving Boston, the South Shore and surrounding communities.

Fall maintenance

Fall maintenance is key to the smooth operation of your heating system over the long winter that lies ahead. This simple, affordable service can not only save you time and money, but add years of dependable service to your existing system. Annual tune-ups also ensure that your system is running safely, with no leaks of harmful (potentially deadly) gas into your home or office.


Don't wait for a cold winter's night to realize that your system is clogged with soot and suddenly stops working. Plan now to arrange for a licensed oil burner professional to clean out and fine tune your heating system before the winter.

WInter Tune Ups

Winter is right in front of us and heating oil prices are steep. Here are few steps to take now to save money this winter.

Stop the leaks!  Leaky doors and windows send heating dollars out the door! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating energy use can be cut 5 to 30% just by reducing drafts.

Here are some quick and simple tips:

Locate and plug leaks with caulking or weather-stripping. But how do you find a leak that might not be obvious? Here's a test worth trying. Light an incense stick and slowly and carefully hold it next to joints. When the smoke wavers, you have a leak.

Windows, curtains and blinds can be used to your advantage. When the sun is out and you need warmth, open the curtains and blinds--then close at night to trap the heat and provide more insulation against the cold.

Stop heat from escaping and cold air from invading leaky doors and windows. Make a 'draft snake' from a rolled up bath towel and place across the bottom of doors and windows. You can also purchase draft snakes in various sizes at retail stores.

Save hundreds off your heating bill this winter by reducing heat loss with these simple tips.

WInter Tune Ups

Winter is right in front of us and heating oil prices are steep. Here are few steps to take now to save money this winter.

Stop the leaks!  Leaky doors and windows send heating dollars out the door! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating energy use can be cut 5 to 30% just by reducing drafts.

Here are some quick and simple tips:

Locate and plug leaks with caulking or weather-stripping. But how do you find a leak that might not be obvious? Here's a test worth trying. Light an incense stick and slowly and carefully hold it next to joints. When the smoke wavers, you have a leak.

Windows, curtains and blinds can be used to your advantage. When the sun is out and you need warmth, open the curtains and blinds--then close at night to trap the heat and provide more insulation against the cold.

Stop heat from escaping and cold air from invading leaky doors and windows. Make a 'draft snake' from a rolled up bath towel and place across the bottom of doors and windows. Place a rolled bath towel or custom-made 'draft snake' across the bottom of leaky doors and windows.

Save hundreds off your heating bill this winter by reducing heat loss with these simple tips.