Do Home Heating Oil Additives Work?
If you drive a petrol or diesel car, you may have heard of fuel additives. Poured directly into your fuel tank, they help to keep your engine clean and prevent build-up, thereby improving fuel economy. We see the same principle with heating oil additives.
What Are Heating Oil Additives?
Let’s start with the basics. Home heating oil is made of kerosene, a petroleum-based oil that burns to heat up water. This hot water then travels to pipes in the radiators of your home, keeping you warm throughout winter.
Not all fuel types are created equal, though. There are two main types available for domestic heating:
Standard kerosene – also known as ’28-second oil’, this is a cost-effective, light option that is used for many home heating systems throughout the UK.
Premium kerosene – this offers all the benefits of standard kerosene, but also features fuel oil additives or ‘enhancers’ to prevent clogs and burn more efficiently.
Glowmax Premium Kerosene
Our premium kerosene product is known as Glowmax. Though Glowmax costs more to purchase, it more than pays for itself thanks to its environmental factors. Unlike car engine additives, Glowmax already contains this special ingredient, so there’s no need to add it to your heating oil tank.
Learn all about the difference between standard kerosene and premium kerosene.
How do Heating Oil Additives Work?
When a boiler runs on standard fuel, it runs the risk of a build-up of sludge in the fuel lines. This can affect other areas like the burner nozzle, which may be impacted by impurities like metal rust, dirt, carbon residue and biocides.
If you live in an area with hard water, it may have higher levels of mineral content. This can also cause a build-up of calcium and magnesium, leading to deposits that may affect fuel delivery lines or show up in the bottom of your oil tank.
This results in less efficient fuel burning and can lead to oil boiler breakdowns. Heating oil additives do not allow these contaminants to build up. They work by separating and removing water which would otherwise oxidise and cause rust. What’s more, heating oil additives reduce the carbonising process – making fuel less viscous and easier to burn.
How Do I Know if I Need Heating Oil Additives?
Also known as heating oil stabilisers, these clever chemical components work in a preventative sense. That means that everybody can benefit from heating oil additives, regardless of whether or not there is gelling or freezing in the tank.
If you are beginning to notice higher heating oil consumption or soaring oil boiler maintenance costs, then it could be time to upgrade. The good news is that you can switch to premium kerosene without changing your entire heating system.
Are Heating Oil Additives Worth Buying?
Heating oil additives are certainly worth buying if you’re looking to reduce your energy costs and your impact on the environment. They can help homeowners prolong the lifespan of their oil boilers, keeping fuel injectors and tanks free from bacterial growth and build-up. They also prevent corrosion in the oil tank, keeping maintenance and replacement costs down.
Modern, fuel-efficient boilers are becoming a staple in UK homes and they will work at their best with the right oil. Our Glowmax premium kerosene contains a combination of additives as standard, meaning you won’t have to spend extra time adding to your tank.
Choose a premium fuel if you’re looking for:
Lower emissions thanks to reduced build-up of carbon
Longer-lasting fuel, allowing you to buy in bulk
The fuel of choice for trusted household brands like Aga cookers
Reduced maintenance costs on your oil tank and your boiler.
We each have a duty to do our bit for the planet. Heating oil additives allow us to take this even further with long-term energy savings. At Certas Energy, we’ll always give you the most competitive prices and advise you on when to buy to get the best value for money.
