Heating oil additives are claimed to cut the cost of your oil heating bills. However, some people are not quite convinced. Understanding oil additives, including the common types and how they work, can help you decide whether they are worth it or not.

In this article, we will find out if they’re worth investing or not.

How Oil Additives Work

In order to understand additives better, it is important that to know first the common problems associated with oil heating systems. In sum, common problems are:

• Cleanliness
• Water
• Freezing
• Oxidation
• Sludge

Let’s understand how these problems can affect your heating oil system:

Cleanliness

Contaminants like carbon that used to be present in your tank can be dragged to the system. These contaminants can clog the burner nozzle and injectors. As a consequence, the efficiency of the boiler will reduce.

Water

Any amount of water for smaller that can leak into your tank and cause that bacteria grow. This will cause problems with your tank filtering system.

Freezing

When the temperature goes down it is possible that the heating oil becomes slimy. This cause that the heating oil can’t flow conveniently over the oil system.

Oxidation

Oxidation can lead to a deterioration of kerosene which affects the burning efficiency of your fuel.

Sludge

Sludge formed from microbial growth in the tank sediments at the bottom. When your oil level is low it is pulled through your system and clogs your filter.

Oil additives can help solve these issues, which make them cost-efficient in the long run. Special additives include biocides, lubricity enhancers, and demulsifiers.

Biocides help fix sludge formation issues. Sludge can form when the oil is left unused in the tank for longer periods of time. When they are not used during summer, microbes can thrive inside the tank which can lead to sludge problems. Biocides in effect extend the shelf life of your life by preventing sludge formation. Also, if you are using heating oil and buying cost is an issue, you should visit Boiler Juice to get free and instant heating oil price in your area.

Lubricity additives help clean the burning nozzles and injectors of your oil heating system. It lubricates the moving components as well. With such additives, your heating will run more efficiently, which in effect extends its lifetime.

Demulsifiers fix water issues in your heating oil system. This additive ensures that water and fuel are kept separate. It prevents water from seeping into the tank or heating system. Hence, it prevents the growth of microbes and promotes the burning efficiency of the boiler.

Types and Benefits of Oil Additives

There are many brands of oil additives available in the market. However, it is important that you check the reputation of the brand by reading reviews and looking up the ingredients. The common components of additives are the following: antioxidants, dispersants, detergents, corrosion inhibitors, and stabilizers.

The top brands are Topanol, Hydra, and Exocet. Let’s take a look at each of these products.

The Topanol Oil Fired Combustion Additive reduces gum and carbon formation, keeps the pipes clean, improves overall fuel economy, optimizes fuel combustion, and stops oxidation. On the other hand, the Hydra Heating Oil Additive cuts oil consumption by around 10%, dissolves sludge, removes soot, and cleans injector and burner nozzles. Lastly, the Exocet Premium Heating Oil Additive reduces deposit build up, prevents sludge formation, improves the efficiency of the heating system, stabilizes fuel and increases its shelf life, and lowers carbon emissions.

Is It Worth It?

The answer is yes. Using oil additives will not automatically result in lower oil healing bills. However, it will result in reduced oil consumption rates in the long run. It works by keeping your healing oil system in great condition and thereby extending its lifetime. You will save money because you will be able to save on the maintenance and repair cost. Better fuel efficiency and a cleaner heating system are just two reasons why additives are worth it. Additives can also help to decrease maintenance costs for things such as filters, boiler repairs, etc. Finally, additives should be viewed as a long-term strategy. It can lead to reduced oil consumption rates