Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Diesel Fuel

Hello,

Just my luck. An April snow storm hits the Northeast and I run out of oil. I was told that I can use Diesel fuel as an alternative. Is this safe ? I was told that diesel and home heating oil have the same characteristics...

Thank you
Cold House in Jersey

NJNSE:

Yes you can.
Just make absolutely sure you get diesel and not gas.

LIke GregH said go for it. As I look at it you have a gun burner. This would burn #2 fuel oil. On a diesel its, diesel fuel , or#1 or some times called water white and it will burn in a pot type oil burner . It will burn about the same in your gun burner you just wont get as many BTU's from it;) ED

Thanks for the info guys... One more question. Since I'm looking to convert to GAS next season I do not want my OIL tank filled with OIL (1000Gallon Tank) Would it be safe to continue using Diesel until I get through the season ?

I dont see why not. Some one else might. I say you might have to reset the air on the burner a little Is all I have ever did for it. ;) ED

Isn't Diesel more expensive then oil? Do you have to fill the tank? You should be able to only order what you want, i.e. 100 or so gallons.

NJNSE:

trinitro's right about the cost.
Diesel fuel is about 30% more costly around here because of road taxes.

Diesel and Oil Heat are pretty much the same price in NJ.... The reason I don't want my oil delivery to add oil is I do not want any misunderstandings especially when it comes to the Price of Oil and 1000 gallon tank.

The delivery guys are like robots and when you are on automatic delivery they just fill your tank. Even if I call them and ask to add a specific amount I can't take the chance of the Oil delivery guy filling my tank.

Thanks for all your answers....

Diesel is actually better for your unit. It is the exact same grade, however it now has a lower sulpher content than heating oil. The reduced sulphur reduces the deposits in the oil equipment. The problem in PA is that we have 55.2 cents per gallon tax on diesel. If I wanted to sell it for heating oil (which I do because of the reduced maintenance on heating units) I would have to pay the 55.2 cents extra at the rack and file for a refund every quarter. That would cost me almost $200,000 in the first quarter of the year. Not change I have laying around.

Don't even give it a second thought about using the diesel fuel, just go ahead. Don't spill a bunch of it at the tank when you are pouring though because when you go to pull that tank out, you will have contamination and that could be a problem.

Ken