#2 heating oil alternatives

[paulmars]

I ran out and suppliers were out too. One told me to use diesel and I did some research and tried it and it worked ok. What's the long term consequences if I keep using it? Someone else said i can use #2 kerosene. Can I? Researching I found out that #1 kero is same as #1 heating oil. My burner can use #1 or #2 heating oil. Whats the story with #2 kero? I also found out that diesel comes in #1 and #2, but I dont know which is which.

1-I want to be sure of what I can use as backup.

2-I want to look into alternatives, if they are cheaper. Diesel at the pump is cheaper then #2 heating oil delivered. Is pump #1 or #2 and does it matter to me?

3-A friend has 25 gallons of old #2 kero he said I can have.

beckett model AFG burner in a bryant system.

tks much, P

[rwanders]

#2 diesel will start to "gel" or get solid anywhere from 20F to -40F depending on water or other contaminants. As winter approaches fuel refiners and wholesalers begin to blend #1 diesel into their supply stream to avoid stalled vehicles or cold furnaces----in northern areas they eventually get to straight #1-----No real difference between those and kerosene-----vehicles commonly use "diesel"----homes use "kerosene"----jet fuel is just more highly refined diesel or kerosene. #2 diesel actually has a slightly higher energy content also. Either one will work in most furnaces quite well.

[paulmars]

how can I test old kerosene to see if its still good and how can i be sure its kero?

[rwanders]

The smell of diesel or kerosene is pretty distinctive. I would try and get a good sample of the fuel from the bottom of the container into a glass jar----look for water or other contaminants such as rust or excessively cloudy fuel----you can then strain the old fuel through a chamois to clean it up. If it comes through looking pretty clear, I would add it to your fuel supply a little at a time---i.e. 5 or 10 gallons per 100 gallons of fresh fuel----should burn without any trouble.

[paulmars]

tks.......

[bkrahmer]

Where do you live that pump diesel is cheaper than fuel oil???

brian

[paulmars]

st pete fl

[Don_P]

Where's my violin :D
Got room for guests till about April?

[paulmars]

Where's my violin :D
Got room for guests till about April?

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

48.7 °F
Clear
Windchill: 49 °F
Humidity: 66%
Dew Point: 38 °F
Wind: 1.0 mph from the SE
Wind Gust: 6.0 mph
Pressure: 30.41 in (Rising)

My hearer is cranking out those BTUs.

[Dreslough]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
48.7 °FWe don't turn on our heat until the outdoor temp goes below 35. Until then, the waste heat from the fridge and water heater (and TV and any other appliances) keep things warm enough. Maybe you don't need a heating oil alternative. Maybe you just need a couple hundred dollars worth of insulation.