Fuel Oil vs. Heating Oil

What’s the Difference?

You should know what fuel heats your home. You might hear the term “fuel oil” from time to time and wonder what it means. Perhaps you already know that heating oil is the fuel that powers a boiler or furnace. But what is fuel oil? How is it different from heating oil? Or is it the same thing?

Distinguishing between Fuel Oil and Heating Oil

Heating oil is fuel oil, but not all fuel oil is heating oil. Fuel oil is a category, not a different type of fuel altogether. Fuel oil is any petroleum product that can power a home heating system or an engine. Strictly speaking, it refers to heavier fuels created from crude oil—heavier than gasoline, for example.

Here are some of the products that fall into the fuel oil category:

1. Kerosene is a fuel that has been around for a long time. It’s made by distilling crude oil at extremely high temperatures. Kerosene has a low “gel point.” Because of kerosene’s low gel point, it continues to function well despite prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. It is commonly used by people with mobile homes or outdoor fuel tanks.
2. Diesel is a fuel you’re probably used to seeing at your local gas station. Diesel fuel is the fuel used in Diesel engines. It comes in both an on-road and off-road variety. On-road diesel is taxed at a higher rate than off-road diesel and has a lower sulfur content. Some off-road uses include farm equipment and power generators. Off-road diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from on-road diesel. Both versions are essentially the same chemically, but it is illegal to use off-road diesel in an on-road vehicle.
3. Heating oil is a petroleum-based home fuel oil. It’s also called number 2 (No 2) fuel oil and is comparable to off-road diesel. You should also know that today’s heating oil is good for your heating system. With quality heating oil and proper maintenance, your oil-fired boiler or furnace can last 30 years or more. Low-sulfur heating oil helps your heating system run more cleanly. That means your furnace or boiler will require fewer repairs and last longer. If you are looking for quality home heating oil, discount heating oil, and heating oil delivery that you can rely on, look no further than Valley Oil.

Valley Oil Offers Value

When you’re a Valley Oil customer, you get top-quality heating oil delivery to your home at the best prices available in the Hudson Valley. Value is high on our list. So we’re committed to offering a heating oil product that won’t overwhelm your budget. We also add value for our customers by offering a budget plan, price protection, and reliable automatic delivery.

Valley Oil is here to help our customers pay less and smile more. Contact us today to sign up for automatic delivery or to learn more about our heating oil services.