Heating oil

No. 2 Heating oil

Kerosene inventory stock levels

Heating oil as primary home heating fuel by state in 2021 (52506302054)

Heating oil storage tank

Heating oil is a low viscosity, liquid petroleum product used as a fuel oil for furnaces or boilers in buildings. Home heating oil is often abbreviated as HHO. Heating oil is commonly used in the United States and many European countries, especially in areas where natural gas is not available and where oil is the primary source of heating energy.

Composition and Types

Heating oil is primarily composed of hydrocarbons, which are molecules made of hydrogen and carbon atoms. These hydrocarbons are derived from the distillation of crude oil. The exact composition of heating oil can vary depending on its grade. The two most common grades of heating oil used for home heating are No. 2 heating oil and No. 4 heating oil. No. 2 heating oil is similar in composition to diesel fuel, but it is dyed red to distinguish it from diesel and taxed differently. No. 4 heating oil is a blend of No. 2 heating oil and heavier oil, making it less expensive but also less efficient and more polluting.

Usage

Heating oil is used in boilers and furnaces for heating residential and commercial buildings. It is stored in a tank, which can be located either above ground or underground. The oil is burned in the furnace's combustion chamber, producing heat that is transferred to air or water, which is then circulated throughout the building to provide heating. In addition to heating, oil-fired boilers can also provide hot water for domestic use.

Environmental Impact

The use of heating oil has environmental implications. Burning heating oil produces carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming. It also emits other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, which can affect air quality and human health. In recent years, there has been a push towards using more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as natural gas, electricity, or renewable energy sources like solar energy and geothermal energy.

Regulations and Trends

In response to environmental concerns, regulations have been implemented in various countries to reduce the sulfur content in heating oil, which in turn reduces SO2 emissions. Additionally, advancements in boiler and furnace technology have improved efficiency, reducing the amount of oil needed to produce the same amount of heat.

The demand for heating oil has been declining in some regions due to the increased availability of natural gas, improvements in energy efficiency, and the growth of renewable heating technologies. However, in areas where natural gas is not readily available, heating oil remains an important source of energy for heating.

See Also

• Fossil fuel
• Renewable energy
• Energy conservation