Heating oil has been warming New Jersey homes for generations, but it’s something that can still be misunderstood. Some homeowners may know how to adjust the thermostat, but know very little about the fuel itself, how their heating system produces heat, or how today’s heating oil has changed over the years.
Fortunately, you don’t need to know everything to get the most from your heating oil system. A basic understanding of how heating oil works, what affects efficiency, and how to care for your equipment can help you make better decisions throughout the heating season. Whether you’re fairly new to oilheat or have relied on it to keep your home warm for years, here’s what you should know.
The oil tank’s purpose is to simply store the fuel until your home needs heat. When your thermostat calls for warmth, heating oil travels through a fuel line to your furnace or boiler. That is when it is ignited inside the burner, creating the heat that warms either the air moving through your ductwork or the water circulating through your home’s heating system.
Because the fuel is stored on your property, you have control over your supply. As long as there’s heating oil in the tank and your equipment is properly maintained, your system has the fuel it needs to run safely and efficiently.
Modern oil-fired heating systems are also much more efficient than you may think. Today’s equipment extracts more heat from every gallon of fuel than older systems, while ultra-low sulfur heating oil burns significantly cleaner than the heating oil used decades ago.
If your impression of heating oil comes from decades ago, it’s outdated thinking.
Today’s heating oil is ultra-low sulfur, which burns much cleaner than the fuel used in years past. That change has helped reduce emissions while also keeping heating equipment cleaner, which can contribute to better system performance over time.
Many New Jersey homeowners also receive Bioheat® fuel, a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil and renewable biodiesel. Bioheat fuel is designed to work with today’s oil heating systems, and in most cases, existing equipment can use it without modifications. As higher biodiesel blends become more widely available, homeowners can continue reducing emissions without replacing their heating systems.
The bottom line is that modern heating oil has evolved. Cleaner fuels and more efficient equipment have changed what you can expect from an oil-heated home, making today’s systems very different from those of the past.
Like any piece of mechanical equipment, an oil heating system performs best when it’s serviced regularly. An annual tune-up does more than keep the system running. It gives a technician the opportunity to inspect key components before small issues turn into costly repairs.
During a typical service visit, the technician will clean the burner, replace the oil filter and fuel nozzle if needed, inspect the heat exchanger, test safety controls, and make sure the system is working at peak efficiency. They can also find worn parts or developing problems that may affect reliability during the heating season.
A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to home heating. Understanding how your system works, what routine maintenance includes, and how today’s heating oil has evolved can help you get the best performance from your equipment and make informed decisions about your home for years to come.
Reach out to a local New Jersey heating oil company if you have further questions about your oil-heated home. They’ll be glad to help!