By now, most residents living in the lower part of New York have heard of biofuel. In 2017, New York State passed a law mandating a minimum of 5 percent biofuel in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester heating oil, which complemented New York City’s October 2016 law setting the same minimum limit and outlining plans for further reductions.
What is biofuel? How does it help the environment, and how does it reduce your carbon footprint? Is biofuel just the latest trend, or does it have longevity? As one of the leading biofuel suppliers in Nassau and Suffolk, the team at Tragar Home Services faces these questions all the time. Here is everything you need to know about biofuels and their environmental impact.
What is Biofuel?
Biofuels are liquid energy sources that are derived from animal and plant matter. There are three primary varieties, and each helps reduce the user carbon footprint differently.
- Biodiesel
Comprised primarily from raw vegetable oil, animal fats, and recycled restaurant grease, biodiesel is manufactured by transesterification, a chemical process that converts fats and oils into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).Biodiesel production helps the environment because the carbon dioxide used to produce the fuel is offset by the plants used to grow it, including soybeans and other feedstock. Therefore, no excess carbon dioxide is created.
- Ethanol
This non-toxic, clear fuel is produced primarily from sugar crops, including corn, sorghum, and barley, with sugar cane and sugar beets the most commonly used.The biomass used to produce ethanol mitigates any adverse environmental effects by absorbing carbon dioxide, offsetting the waste gasses produced when burning it.
- Bioheat®
A blended fuel comprised of biodiesel and standard oil, Bioheat® is classified by biodiesel content, with B100 incorporating the highest amount.
This renewable fuel uses recycled resources that would otherwise be discarded and improve the efficiency of current oil burners since it acts as a detergent, cleaning out sludge from old oil, resulting in a cleaner-burning unit. Another advantage of Bioheat® is that it can be produced from a broader range of crops than ethanol, further enhancing its overall environmental friendliness.
Get High-Quality Bioheat® for Your Home
Tragar Express provides Bioheat® home heating oil at no extra cost to its customers. We help power your home and protect the environment at the same time. Our parent company, Tragar Home Services, offers a full range of heating maintenance, repair, and upgrade services to Nassau and Western Suffolk residents. To schedule a delivery of eco-friendly Bioheat®, call (516) 221-2559 or email info@tragarexpress.com to get started.
