Oilheat has kept tens of thousands of Wisconsin homes affordably warm and safe for decades. And that’s expected to continue well into the future.
The industry employs thousands of people across the state—and more than 190,000 people in Wisconsin live in a home that is heated with heating oil.
But many people don’t realize just how much progress has been made over the last few decades.
Heating Oil Keeps Getting Cleaner
Overall, the oilheat industry continues to undergo an evolution that is significantly improving its cleanliness, thanks to vast reductions of sulfur levels.
As a result, today’s ultra-low sulfur heating oil burns more cleanly with lower emissions. You also benefit from better heating efficiency and easier maintenance, since ultra-low-sulfur oil creates fewer deposits on heat exchangers.
This is only the beginning. The quality of heating oil will get even better in the years ahead. That’s good news for the environment—and for your pocketbook.
Facts About How Much Oilheat Has Improved
- Thanks to major advances in technology, oilheating systems burn 95% cleaner than they did in the 1970s.
- High-efficiency furnaces and boilers use substantially less oil now (about 700 gallons fewer gallons per year compared with systems used in the 1970s.
- There has been the virtual elimination of air polluting particulate matter (soot). If you recently installed a new oilheating system in your home, you already know you don’t have any soot, dirt or odors to deal with. If you’re interested in replacing your oilheating equipment, go here.
Looking ahead
The oilheat industry has set a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Net-zero carbon emissions means that an energy source has a carbon footprint of zero. As ultra-low sulfur Bioheat® fuel becomes more widespread in the coming years, home heating oil will move closer and closer to becoming a carbon-neutral fuel. This and other innovations within the industry will help to keep heating oil as a leader in America’s energy evolution.
Contact your local heating oil company to learn more about modern oilheat and be sure to ask about up to $500 rebates available in 2020.