The Basics And Benefits Of Waste Oil Heating

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about waste oil heating, but do you know how it works and why it can be so advantageous for a variety of business types?

As a manufacturer of American-made waste oil furnaces, boilers, and accessories, we talk with many people who want a better understanding about waste oil heating before they decide whether or not it’s right for their businesses.

We think that’s great! And we encourage you to learn as much as you can if you’re considering switching to waste oil heating.

To help you in that endeavor, we’ve listed some key points you should know.

Waste oil? What is it exactly?

The following used petroleum products are called “waste oil”: Motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, or any combination of them. All of these can be used in Clean Energy Heating Systems waste oil furnaces to produce free heat for your facility.

Aside from the notable benefit of cutting heating costs at your business, waste oil heating also enables you to conveniently dispose of waste oil in a way that satisfies EPA regulations. Without a waste oil furnace, you need to find another compliant way to discard of your used oil.

Where does waste oil come from?

Companies that use equipment, vehicles, or machinery that run on petroleum products can generate their own waste oil. Car dealerships, trucking companies, car washes, auto repair shops, and other types of businesses typically produce a good supply of waste oil that they can use to produce heat in their buildings.

Even if your company doesn’t generate its own used oil, you can buy it from a waste oil broker—usually for much less than you would pay for traditional #2 heating oil.

How much will a waste oil furnace or boiler cost?

The price varies according to the size of the heater, but generally it will cost you a few thousand dollars upfront. Clean Energy Heating Systems customers enjoy a very attractive return on that investment. Some of our customers have recovered the costs of their heaters and installation within just a matter of months! To estimate the ROI you might expect, use our online ROI calculator.

How much money can I save with a waste oil furnace?

Various factors will determine your savings. You’ll need to consider how much you currently spend on heating your facility. Also, how much waste oil are you producing on your own? Every business’s savings potential is different, but some of our customers have saved beyond their expectations. One of them, a car dealership, is saving $32,000 annually with its waste oil furnace. Using our ROI calculator will help you estimate your savings.

How complex is installation and maintenance of a waste oil heater?

You’ll be happy to know that installing a waste oil furnace isn’t any more involved than installing a traditional oil-powered furnace. As with a regular furnace, it needs a chimney to the outdoors for ventilation, and it requires a holding tank for the waste oil that fuels it.

At Clean Energy Heating Systems, we make our waste oil furnaces with vent ports in multiple locations, so you can install them however it works best for your building’s layout. In addition, we make them with knockouts in the furnace chassis, so you can easily hang your furnace and conserve precious floor space.

Maintaining your waste oil furnace is quite uncomplicated, too. You’ll discover you need to devote minimal time and effort to keep it running at top performance.

Of course, these basics are just a glimpse of all there is to know about waste oil heating. To fully understand how it works and assess the benefits for your business, contact us today!