Home Heating Oil
#2 Fuel Oil
is the most commonly used fuel for home
heating needs. #2 Fuel Oil contains more BTUs
of heat per gallon than either Propane or
Kerosene. It is also the least flammable of
all fuels. Only 4% of all crude oil imported
into the U.S. goes towards production of #2
Fuel Oil. #2 Fuel Oil is one of the most
volatile in terms of pricing.
Propane
Sometimes
referred to as LP (liquid propane), Propane
Gas should not be confused with Natural Gas.
Natural Gas is a product of the environment
while Propane Gas is a by-product of crude
oil. The use of Propane as an alternative for
home heating has been on the rise over the
past decade. Propane is a more versatile
fuel, burns cleaner, and has historically had
less volatile pricing. Propane provides only
about two-thirds of the BTUs per gallon as #2
Fuel Oil.
Kerosene
Like
Propane, Kerosene is a by-product of crude
oil. Kerosene is more commonly used to heat
mobile homes, summer camps, or other places
where the tank is apt to be outside or
exposed to cold temperatures. This is because
Kerosene is more refined than #2 Fuel Oil,
and as such can tolerate colder temperatures
before “gelling.” Kerosene will not thicken
when the temperatures fall below freezing,
while #2 Fuel Oil will. Kerosene has only
slightly less BTUs per gallon than #2 Fuel
Oil.
Diesel
Diesel is
also a by-product of crude oil and is used
mostly as motor fuel for diesel engines such
as tractors trailers, farm and agricultural
equipment, and generators.
*To see the fuel
price report please
click
here
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