Heating Oil Lawsuit - Biodiesel blending

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peakbagger

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Jul 11, 2008
8,978
Northern NH
An oil dealer is being sued for blending biodiesel in heating oil without telling customers


Blending in biodiesel with heating oil is coming. The problem is if it is done too aggressively if can raise havoc with older heating systems as the biodiesel acts as a solvent to break up accumulated sludge that has built up in the system. There are usually flexible hoses attached to the pump on the burner and they may not be compatible with the biodiesel. Most suggestions I have read is when switching to higher blends that the customers may want to change out the oil tank to get rid of the accumulated sludge and deposits.

Biodiesel also has a lower Btu content by about 7%. It used to be more expensive than #2 but apparently with the credits the dealer got, it was cheaper to blend it in.
 
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Reactions: semipro
I mixed some with kerosene in my Kero heater. It immediately plugged the wick.