Keeping your home warm shouldn’t be a hassle. At Domino Fuel, we make sure you have the heating oil you need, when you need it, with easy delivery right to your door. Trust us to keep your family cozy all winter long, without any worries.

Heating Oil vs Diesel: What’s the Difference?

Heating oil and diesel fuel are often mistaken for each other. They look the same. They even smell similar. But while they might share some qualities, there are key differences that set them apart. 

If you’re a homeowner or business owner trying to decide between heating oil or diesel, or just curious about fuels, keep reading.

 

 

Understanding Heating Oil and Diesel Fuel

Heating Oil vs Diesel

What is Heating Oil?

Heating oil is a type of fuel used mainly to heat homes. It’s sometimes called furnace oil. Heating oil is delivered by a heating oil delivery company and stored in tanks outside homes or buildings. When temperatures drop, the oil is pumped from the tank into the furnace, where it’s burned to produce heat. Heating oil is very common in colder regions, where people rely on it to stay warm during the winter months.

The oil itself is similar to diesel fuel but with a few small differences. For example, heating oil often has a red dye added to it. The dye shows that the fuel is untaxed and only meant for heating purposes, not for vehicles.

 

 

What is Diesel Fuel?

Diesel fuel is widely used to power vehicles with diesel engines. Trucks, buses, tractors, and construction machinery all run on diesel fuel. It’s also used in some off-road vehicles and heavy equipment. Diesel has a higher energy content than gasoline, making it an efficient fuel for large engines that need to work hard for long periods.

Like heating oil, diesel is derived from crude oil. However, it’s refined slightly differently to meet the needs of diesel engines. One key factor in diesel fuel is its cetane rating, which measures how quickly the fuel ignites under pressure. The higher the cetane rating, the more efficiently the engine runs. #2 heating oil may cause operational issues in a diesel engine during cold weather, so adding kerosene is important to prevent fuel from gelling and to maintain engine performance.

 

 

Heating Oil and Diesel Fuel: Are They the Same?

Heating oil and diesel fuel are closely related. In fact, they’re nearly identical in terms of chemical composition and distillation process. Both come from crude oil, and both are considered fuel oils. You might wonder: are they the same fuel? Not quite. The main difference lies in their intended applications and the sulfur content.

Diesel fuel has stricter regulations to reduce sulfur emissions, especially for on-road vehicles. The lower sulfur content helps reduce pollution from trucks and buses. Heating oil, on the other hand, contains more sulfur because it’s used in furnaces rather than engines. That difference is one reason why heating oil is usually cheaper than diesel fuel. Additionally, taxed diesel is used for vehicles on public roads and is more expensive due to taxes, unlike untaxed diesel which is dyed red and used for off-road applications.

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Types of Fuel Oil

Fuel oil is a broad term that encompasses various types of refined products derived from crude oil. Each type has unique characteristics and specific uses:

  • Kerosene: The light, refined product is commonly used for home heating, cooking, and lighting. Its clean-burning properties make it a popular choice for portable heaters and lamps.
  • #1 Fuel Oil: Heavier and less refined than kerosene, #1 fuel oil is typically used in industrial and commercial heating systems. It’s known for its ability to perform well in cold temperatures.
  • #2 Fuel Oil: Often referred to as home heating oil, #2 fuel oil is a mid-weight product used in residential and commercial heating systems. It’s the most common type of fuel oil for home heating due to its efficiency and availability.
  • Diesel Fuel: The refined product is specifically designed for diesel engines in vehicles and equipment. Diesel fuel is known for its high energy content and efficiency, making it ideal for powering trucks, buses, and heavy machinery.

Each type of fuel oil serves a distinct purpose, whether it’s heating your home, fueling industrial equipment, or powering diesel engines.

 

 

How Heating Oil and Diesel are Used

In homes, heating oil is the go-to choice for staying warm. Homes with heating oil systems rely on tanks, often located in the basement or outside the house. The tanks store the oil until it’s needed. When the temperature drops, the oil is pumped into the furnace, where it’s burned to generate heat. The heat is then distributed through the home’s heating system.

 

Diesel Fuel for Engines

Diesel fuel powers vehicles like trucks, buses, and tractors. Diesel engines are built to handle high-power loads, making them ideal for heavy-duty work. Diesel fuel burns more efficiently than gasoline, which is why it’s preferred for such vehicles. It’s also used in emergencies when no other fuel is available.

 

Should You Use Diesel Fuel for Heating?

It’s possible to use diesel fuel as a substitute for heating oil in a pinch. In emergencies, when you run out of heating oil, diesel fuel could be a temporary fix. Both fuels are nearly the same, so they work in the same systems. However, diesel fuel is typically more expensive than heating oil, and it may not be an ideal long-term solution.

Using diesel for heating might also raise questions about taxes. Since diesel fuel is taxed for road use, using it for heating may be seen as a way to avoid road taxes. It’s important to check local regulations if you ever consider using diesel for heating.

 

 

Cost Comparison: Heating Oil vs. Diesel Fuel

When it comes to cost, heating oil and diesel fuel differ based on several factors, including location, supply and demand, and taxes. Here’s a general comparison:

  • Heating Oil: Generally, heating oil is less expensive than diesel fuel, especially for residential heating applications. That is partly because heating oil contains more sulfur and is not subject to the same road taxes as diesel fuel.
  • Diesel Fuel: Diesel fuel tends to be more expensive, particularly for on-road use. That is due to the additional taxes and stricter regulations aimed at reducing sulfur emissions from vehicles.

 

 

Which Fuel is Right for You?

Heating Oil vs Diesel

Choosing Heating Oil for Your Home

Heating oil is the best option if you need a reliable fuel to keep your home warm. It’s specifically designed for home heating systems, so it’s the safer and more efficient choice. Heating oil is also delivered directly to your home by a heating oil delivery company. The service guarantees that you have a steady supply of fuel to get through even the coldest winter months.

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Diesel Fuel for Vehicles

If you’re looking to power a vehicle or heavy equipment, diesel is the way to go. Diesel engines are built for power and efficiency, and diesel fuel is designed to keep the engines running smoothly. Whether you’re fueling a truck, tractor, or bus, diesel offers the best performance and longevity.

For vehicles, it’s important to use the right kind of diesel. Road diesel is taxed and regulated, while off-road diesel, which is dyed red, is for vehicles like tractors and construction equipment that don’t use public roads. Off-road diesel is cheaper but not useful in on-road vehicles without facing penalties for tax evasion.

 

Factors to Consider

The choice between heating oil and diesel fuel comes down to your needs. If you’re heating your home, heating oil is the better option. If you’re fueling a vehicle, diesel fuel is necessary. Each fuel has its strengths, but it’s important to use them for their intended purposes.

In colder climates, both heating oil and diesel fuel perform well, though some people mix in kerosene to lower the fuel’s viscosity in very cold weather. That helps prevent sludge formation in fuel tanks, which blocks fuel lines and cause issues with engines and furnaces.

 

Let Domino Fuel Take Care of Your Heating Needs

At Domino Fuel, we’re here to help you find the most reliable, affordable, and efficient fuel solution for your home or business. Whether you need regular heating oil deliveries to keep your home cozy or are looking for diesel fuel to keep your machinery running smoothly, we’ve got you covered. 

We don’t just provide fuel – we offer peace of mind. With us, you’ll never have to worry about running low on heating oil or missing a delivery. 

Let Domino Fuel be your trusted partner for all your fuel needs. Reach out to us today to schedule your next delivery, and let us take care of the rest.

 

 

 

FAQs

Should I use diesel fuel in my furnace?

Yes, in an emergency, diesel fuel may be used in your furnace. It’s similar enough to heating oil that it will work in your system. However, diesel is more expensive and may contain different additives, so it’s best to stick with heating oil for regular use.

 

Why is heating oil cheaper than diesel fuel?

Heating oil is often cheaper because it contains more sulfur and is not subject to road taxes. Diesel fuel is taxed because it’s used in vehicles that operate on public roads.

 

How often should I fill my heating oil tank?

Most homeowners fill their heating oil tanks once or twice a year, depending on the size of their tank and their home’s heating needs. A heating oil delivery company helps schedule regular deliveries to make sure you never run out.

 

Is it legal to use off-road diesel in my truck?

No, using off-road diesel in on-road vehicles is illegal and considered tax evasion. Off-road diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from regular diesel fuel. It’s meant for agricultural and construction vehicles that don’t use public roads.