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Waste Oil Furnace
Let's start with the basics. A waste oil furnace is a type of furnace used for heating purposes and is fueled by used oil that is free of hazardous contaminants, as described by the EPA.
To efficiently burn the widely varied mixtures of used and waste oil for use as heat it takes a high quality tuned waste oil furnace.
The efficiency of a waste oil furnace is difficult to accurately measure at any given time because it depends on the quality of the waste oil used as fuel. Waste fuels that burn cleaner will keep the furnace cleaner and thus it will burn more efficiently than a dirty one.
The combustion of waste oil creates ash residue which will build up inside the combustion chamber. This build up gradually reduces the amount of heat that will be transferred from the combustion chamber to the room air. The precise efficiency level of any waste oil furnace is always in flux depending on the combination of waste oil used and amount of ash build up. There are other factors involved but ash residue is the primary culprit.
Don't listen to the people that claim the efficiency of a waste oil furnace is not something to be concerned about because you're burning free oil. Yes, that may be true if you have an endless supply of waste oil. Low efficiency means a higher consumption rate which ultimately can lead to running out of the waste oil fuel.
A properly maintained and frequently cleaned furnace means a more efficient waste oil furnace. Efficiency equals less expense and less hassles. Though a waste oil furnace will cost more initially from other choices, it will be significantly less expensive to operate over the long term. Many an alternative heating source professional has said "You can always burn excess waste oil but not for long if you burn it inefficiently."
When comparing the waste oil furnace choices you will want to study the stack temperature. You are looking for a lower stack temperature which means the greater the furnace efficiency.
Safety Issue
UL in the U.S. plus nearly all states and municipalities have adopted safety codes which now require that used-oil heating systems be UL listed. Make sure to check with your dealer or installer to ensure compliance.
Fun Facts
Waste oil furnaces and waste oil boilers turns an expended by-product into a valuable fuel source that goes a long way to conserving natural energy supplies.
Did you know:
Waste oil possesses nearly twice the energy value of coal and more energy than #2 fuel oil.
One gallon of waste oil can generate 18 kilowatt hours of electricity.
Two gallons of waste oil can provide electricity to run the average household for approximately 24 hours or... cook 48 meals in a microwave ... blow-dry your hair 216 times ... vacuum your house for 15 months ... or keep your TV on for 180 hours.
Baby It's Cold Outside
Here's a really cool and amazing trivia fact.
Workers in government research facilities on the continent of Antarctica stay warm in the world's harshest environment with a waste oil furnace. What a great way to study a natural wonder of the world while helping protect the environment.