If you are considering your options when it comes to heating your home in the winter months, you may be wondering which is the better option - kerosene oil or heating oil? Many oil furnaces are capable of burning either kerosene oil or heating oil, but differences in the refinement process give these oils different advantages and disadvantages.
- Kerosene Oil. Kerosene oil has a lower flash point than heating oil, because it has a higher viscosity and lower density. Because kerosene oil gives off flammable gases when it is heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it has a slightly greater fire and explosion risk than heating oil. Despite the risks, kerosene oil is more highly refined and burns cleaner than typical heating oil, and as a result, it has the potential to be more fuel-efficient. Kerosene oil produces fewer fumes because it lacks impurities, but there is still a slight risk for carbon monoxide byproducts. Kerosene oil doesn't gel during the winter months like heating oil might, making it ideal for homes and businesses that have an outdoor fuel tank.
- Heating Oil. Heating oil is similar to diesel fuel and is also known as diesel oil or gas oil. Because heating oil is readily available and in plentiful supply, it typically costs less than other types of oil. Heating oil is also safe to store and use. It has a flash point of 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cannot catch fire or explode unless it is heated to that temperature and vaporizes into a flammable gas. While heating oil is an excellent fuel for heating a home, it sometimes contains impurities like sulfur, which may create hazardous fumes when it is burned. These impurities can also result in heating oil not burning as cleanly, possibly creating carbon monoxide as a byproduct. Because of this risk, a home or business that burns heating oil should ensure that it has adequate ventilation. Heating oil also has a tendency to gel in cold temperatures, making it a less desirable choice for homes and businesses with outdoor furnace fuel tanks.
If you would like more information about the advantages and disadvantages of kerosene oil and heating oil, please give us a call at Bumgarner Oil today!