All You Need to Know About Heating Oil (Types and Uses)

Homes need to be heated during the cold months. Most homes in the UK are connected to the national gas grid which delivers gas straight to people’s homes as and when they need it. However, there are around 4 million households that aren’t connected to the national gas grid, which means they have to heat their homes in other ways. These homes have to rely on heating oil, renewable energy sources, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and/or electricity. Let’s have a look at heating oil; it’s types and uses.

Heating oil is normally stored in a tank in the grounds of a house and connected to the home’s oil boiler by pipes.

Types of heating oil

There are 3 different types of heating oil you can use for your heating oil boiler. These are:

• Gas oil – Also known as red diesel or 35 second fuel. This is normally used with older oil boilers as well as agricultural or commercial uses.
• Kerosene – Also known as heating oil or 28 second fuel. This is most commonly used in households as it is lighter and cleaner burning than gas oil.
• Premium Kerosene – As the name suggests, it’s a premium version of kerosene that contains additives to make it burn cleaner and more effectively. This is slightly more expensive than regular kerosene but it reduces the sludge build-up in your tank and means your boiler is less likely to break down.

The type of fuel you have to use can be determined by the type of heating oil system installed in your home. If you are unsure what type of fuel you need then take a look at your boiler to see if it is labelled. If it isn’t then documentation from the previous owners may be available or you can get in touch with an Oftec registered engineer as they will be able to tell you.

Do you have any questions about domestic heating oil? If so then let us know in the comments box below.