The lowdown on heating oil

It is said that some 1.5 million people use heating oil to keep their home warm, but for those unfamiliar with the method, it can be tricky to understand the ins and outs of it - so here's a quick rundown of what you need to know.

Firstly, there are two types of heating oil in use throughout Britain - 28sec oil (kerosene) and 35sec oil (gasoil). Many more homes use the latter than the former, primarily as it provides a cleaner burn than its gasoil counterpart. The type used is dependent on the boiler installed in a home or building. Kerosene can easily burn on all cookers, including AGAs - making it normally the more popular choice.

Although the industry is currently working towards a bio-oil substance that could replace traditional heating oil, this seems to be a few years off becoming a viable alternative.

Secondly, contrary to popular belief, oil-burning heating systems can be environmentally acceptable. If the oil burns clearly and the boiler is regularly serviced, it is generally accepted. Although gas-burning boilers do boast lower carbon dioxide emissions, many homes are located off the gas grid in Britain and therefore it isn't an option for them.

Next we'll tackle supply. Whilst electricity and gas are fed straight from the supplier, heating oil distributors are responsible for providing homes with the oil they need. Homeowners place an order with their supplier either over the telephone or, increasingly, via the internet. The distributor then drives the oil to the person's home, where they store it securely outside. Some people have specially-designed sheds or other storage areas built in order to keep their oil at optimum condition. This can also prevent against oil theft, which is something that does happen in certain areas.

Lastly, the benefits. Using heating oil is a great way to combat not being on the gas or electricity grid and by installing an oil-fired combi boiler, you can have access to hot water whenever you want it. This means no more waiting around for half an hour whilst the tank decides to heat up! It's also fairly ease to use and with oil-fired boilers boasting a seasonal efficiency of up to 97 per cent, it's a viable alternative to other heating ...
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