Green Technologies has been running its boiler (red box on right) on B100 since February, 2006.

Using Biodiesel for Home heating

1.  Making the switch

If your heating system has not been used with biodiesel before, you should start with a low biodiesel to diesel ratio (i.e. B5 or B10 - 5-10% biodiesel) because biodiesel has strong surfactant properties.  It will loosen particulates from the sides and bottoms of older oil storage tanks and fuel lines.  You will have to change your heat filter more often when you first make the switch.  Of course, if you have a new storage tank, this is not an issue.  Over a few months, you can ramp up to a higher biodiesel ratio.  If you want to run anything over B40, your heating system will need to be evaluated for material incompatibilities (see our FAQs page).

2.  How cold is your oil-storage tank?

• Over 55 degrees F (i.e. warm basement)

Your system should not need any further modifications.  The cloud point of our fuel is approximately 50 deg.

• 35 - 55 degrees F (i.e. cold basement)

These systems are at or below the cloud point of our fuel.  (more about cloud points, gel points and remix temperatures).  We offer several solutions to cold-storage.  Depending on the temperature, a combination of several options may be necessary.

1. Insulate your basement to increase it's temperature to 55 degrees
2. Heated fuel filters to keep the filter above the remix temperature.

• Option 1: industrial-grade heat tape with self-temperature regulation and low thermal output for wrapping around the fuel filter
• Option 2: Arctic Fox heat exchangers based on hot water (from your boiler) as the heat source
• Option 3: Stanadyne 12 V DC heated fuel filters
• Option 4: Depending on your boiler type, other modifications may be made

• Below 35 degrees F

  Requires a heated fuel storage tank as well as heated fuel lines and filters.