In this post, we’ll explain B10 vs B20 Bioheat fuel in plain language. Are higher biodiesel blends better? Will B20 make your furnace less efficient or more expensive to run? Do you need to adjust your burner for different blends? We’ll tackle these questions and more.
NYC is on track to move from B10 to B20 by the year 2030 as a standard, so it’s important to understand how this cleaner fuel impacts efficiency, cost, and your heating system’s performance. The good news: Bioheat is a win-win for both the environment and your equipment when used properly. Let’s break down the differences and what you should expect as Bioheat levels increase.
What Do B10 and B20 Mean in Heating Oil?
“Bioheat” is just heating oil blended with a percentage of biodiesel (which is made from renewable resources like soybean oil or recycled cooking oil). The number after “B” tells you the biodiesel percentage. For example:
- B10 Bioheat = 10% biodiesel + 90% standard No.2 heating oil.
- B20 Bioheat = 20% biodiesel + 80% standard heating oil.
So B20 contains twice as much renewable content as B10. New York state law already required B5 (5%) statewide a few years back, then increased to B10 in 2025. New York City itself has been a leader in this: NYC has had a Bioheat requirement since 2012 (starting at B2, then B5). As of 2025, NYC fuel suppliers deliver B10 as the new minimum. By 2030, both city and state plan to reach B20 as the standard fuel for all oil-heated buildings.
Why these blend levels? Biodiesel produces far less pollution when burned – cutting soot, sulfur, and carbon emissions dramatically. A higher blend (B20) means cleaner air and lower greenhouse gases. But regulators chose a stepped approach (B5, B10, B20) to ensure that fuel infrastructure and heating systems could adapt smoothly without issues.
The great thing is most commercial oil heating systems can use B10 or B20 Bioheat with no modifications. Bioheat is designed to be a drop-in replacement for regular oil. In fact, if you’ve gotten a commercial heating oil delivery in NYC recently, you’re already using at least B10 Bioheat and might not have even noticed! Your furnace or boiler likely didn’t notice either, because these blends are compatible with standard oil burners.
So, B10 and B20 are just different points on the spectrum of mixing renewable fuel into oil. B100 would be pure biodiesel (not common for home heating due to certain limitations). But B20 is viewed as a sweet spot that significantly lowers emissions while still behaving a lot like traditional heating oil in your system.
Is B20 Bioheat Fuel Safe for My Oil Burner?
This is a common concern: will a higher biodiesel blend “gum up” my furnace or cause problems? The answer from industry experts and NYC’s experience is generally no – B20 is very safe and effective in oil burners, as long as the fuel meets quality standards. Here’s why:
- Biodiesel is cleaner-burning than petroleum oil. It contains virtually no sulfur and produces less soot. Using B20 actually tends to reduce deposits in your burner and chimney compared to traditional oil. That can mean less frequent cleanings.
- Compatibility: Oil burners, pumps, and tanks designed for No.2 oil can handle B20 because modern biodiesel is made to ASTM standards for blend stock. B20 has similar viscosity to regular oil. It can soften certain very old types of rubber seals or gaskets (from decades ago), but any heating system from the last 20-30 years likely has biodiesel-resistant components by default. In over a decade with Bioheat, there have been minimal issues reported with B20 compatibility in commercial boilers in NYC.
- Cold Weather: Biodiesel can gel in extreme cold a bit more than pure oil, but B20 is still a low enough blend that, especially with additives used by suppliers, it flows fine in NYC winters. Suppliers often add anti-gelling agents to Bioheat delivered in deep winter. If you keep your tank outdoors in a place like Westchester or upstate where it’s colder, B20 should still work, though beyond B20 one might need heated tanks or additives. For NYC’s climate and indoor tanks, it’s a non-issue.
- Tank Sediment: One thing to be aware of – biodiesel is a solvent, so it can clean existing sediment in your oil tank. When many NYC customers first switched to Bioheat years ago, the biodiesel in B5 or B10 actually scoured out old sludge from tanks, which could clog filters initially. This is usually a one-time occurrence. By the time you move from B10 to B20, your tank is likely already cleaner than it was in the pure-oil days. Just ensure you keep up with filter changes at oil tank tune-up time, and you’ll be fine.
In short, B20 is considered a safe fuel and is even recommended by heating equipment manufacturers and organizations like the Oil Heat Institute. They’ve been gearing up for B20 for years. So you shouldn’t need any expensive retrofits to enjoy the cleaner fuel. In fact, New York’s leading oil companies (Energo included) are fully on board and ready to supply B20 because today’s equipment can handle it.
How Do B10 and B20 Affect Heating Efficiency?
Now, let’s talk efficiency and performance. Does using biodiesel blends change how much heat you get per gallon or how well your system runs?
- Energy Content: Biodiesel has slightly less energy per gallon than petroleum heating oil – roughly 3-8% less, depending on the feedstock. So B20 (20% biodiesel) might have about 2% lower BTU content overall than pure oil. In practical terms, this could mean you burn a tiny bit more fuel to get the same heat. However, it’s a very small difference. And interestingly, biodiesel’s oxygen content can help it burn more completely, potentially offsetting some of that BTU loss by improving combustion efficiency.
Example: Let’s say 100% oil gives 139,000 BTUs/gal and B20 might be ~136,000 BTUs/gal. If your furnace is 80% efficient, maybe you’d need an extra gallon or two over an entire season with B20 vs B10. It’s not very noticeable on your bills – especially since other factors (weather, thermostat settings) have a much bigger impact on usage.
- Combustion Efficiency: Studies and field experience have found Bioheat can slightly improve burner efficiency because it produces a more complete burn. The flame temperature of oil vs B20 is similar, but the biodiesel portion contains oxygen which helps reduce unburned fuel. Less soot also means heat exchangers stay cleaner, maintaining higher efficiency. Some technicians report smoke numbers with B20 where they might get trace smoke on pure oil. Essentially, your boiler can breathe a bit easier on Bioheat.
- Heat Output: You shouldn’t feel any difference in warmth or system output between B10 and B20. Your radiators will get just as hot. The burner might need a minor air mixture tweak when going to higher biodiesel blends, but any competent service tech will handle that as part of routine maintenance (and many times no adjustment is needed going from B10 to B20). Your system’s rated BTUs don’t change – a 100,000 BTU boiler is still 100,000 BTU with Bioheat.
In summary, the efficiency differences between B10 and B20 are minor. B20 might have a tad fewer BTUs, but it burns a tad cleaner – in real-world use these effects nearly balance out. From a homeowner perspective, you won’t suddenly need more deliveries because of B20. In fact, many customers have been using B20 in parts of Long Island and didn’t even notice except for cleaner furnace operation.
Does Bioheat Fuel Cost More?
Another big question: will B20 cost me more per gallon than regular heating oil?
In the early days of biodiesel, it did carry a slight premium. But nowadays, with mandates in place, biodiesel is part of the normal supply chain. Any cost difference for B10 vs B20 is typically just a few cents per gallon – and it’s often absorbed by market fluctuations or incentives.
- Market Prices: Heating oil prices move with crude oil, whereas biodiesel prices depend on vegetable oil markets and government incentives. Sometimes biodiesel can be a bit pricier to produce. For instance, an NYC report estimated that B10 might add a few cents per gallon in cost compared to B5, and B20 a couple cents more than that. However, fuel distributors have gotten more efficient at blending, and federal credits for biodiesel (Blender’s Tax Credit) often offset the extra cost, keeping Bioheat prices competitive.
- Real-World Impact: In practice, most consumers didn’t see any notable price hike moving from B5 to B10. By the time B20 is standard, economies of scale should keep costs in check. Remember, you’re buying slightly less fossil fuel and a bit more renewable fuel. As biodiesel production grows, its cost continues to come down. States like Rhode Island that jumped to B20 have seen it work smoothly with pricing.
- Supplier Differences: All reputable NYC oil companies are delivering mandated Bioheat blends. If anything, watch out for super-cheap discounters who might supply only the bare minimum blend (e.g., exactly B10) versus a premium supplier that might give you B20 at the same price. Energo, for one, is committed to providing high-quality Bioheat at fair, transparent pricing. We know that heating oil pricing is a concern for homeowners, so we work to keep Bioheat fuel affordable and often offer fixed heating oil pricing plans or caps to help manage costs.
- Long-Term Savings: Bioheat can indirectly save you money by improving system longevity and reducing maintenance. Less sulfur and sediment from B20 means your oil tank and burner stay in better shape. That could prevent costly issues (like filter clogs, nozzle fouling, or corrosion) and even extend the life of your equipment. It’s hard to put a dollar on that, but it’s a financial plus often overlooked.
Overall, expect minimal impact on your wallet when transitioning from B10 to B20. Any small increase per gallon is usually offset by cleaner-burning performance and environmental benefits. And given New York’s commitment to cleaner fuels, there may even be future incentives or rebates associated with using Bioheat (as there have been for biodiesel in transportation).
Benefits of Higher Bioheat Blends (B20 and Beyond)
Aside from being mandated, why should we embrace the increase to B20? Here are some benefits of higher Bioheat blends:
- Drastically Lower Emissions – Biodiesel can cut carbon emissions by up to 86% compared to petroleum, on a lifecycle basis. Even at B20, NYC officials estimate it’s like taking thousands of cars off the road in terms of emissions reduction. B20 also slashes sulfur emissions (a cause of acid rain and particulate pollution) to near zero, and reduces the formation of soot. For a city battling air quality issues, this is a big win. You as a resident benefit from cleaner local air.
- Less Maintenance – As noted, with cleaner fuel, your furnace runs cleaner. For larger portfolios, this consistency supports more accurate forecasting heating oil demand across buildings, since equipment performance and consumption patterns are more predictable.
- Energy Security – Using biodiesel (made domestically from soy, corn, and waste oils) reduces dependence on imported petroleum. It keeps fuel dollars in the regional economy. During volatile times, having a portion of your heating fuel from stable, local sources can provide more predictable supply and pricing.
- Renewable Future – B20 is not the end game. The oil heat industry is already testing B50 and even B100 renewable fuel in advanced burners. The hope is to eventually heat homes with 100% renewable, zero-carbon liquid fuel. By moving to B20 now, we’re on that trajectory. It’s a seamless way for oil-heated homes to progressively become greener without changing equipment. So higher blends like B20 are paving the way for a carbon-neutral future for liquid heating fuel. Pretty exciting!
- No Loss of Comfort – Importantly, you achieve all these benefits without sacrificing comfort or performance. Your heating system keeps you just as warm. This isn’t like turning the thermostat down or rationing fuel; you burn a cleaner fuel and life at home goes on as normal, cozy as ever.
In short, B20 Bioheat is a modern upgrade to traditional oil. As a homeowner or property manager, it allows you to be part of NYC’s sustainability solution while still enjoying the trustworthiness of oil heat. It’s one of those rare instances where doing the right thing environmentally doesn’t ask you to compromise on comfort or convenience.
Do I Need to Do Anything as NYC Moves to B20?
For most heating oil users, the switch to higher Bioheat blends is practically invisible. Your oil delivery company and the regulators handle the details behind the scenes. But here are a few tips to ensure a smooth experience:
- Use a Quality Supplier: Make sure you’re getting fuel from a reliable heating oil company that adheres to the ASTM specifications for Bioheat. Poorly made biodiesel can cause issues, but quality Bioheat from a trusted supplier like Energo will be properly blended and treated. We test and ensure our fuel meets all standards, so you can be confident in what’s going into your tank.
- Schedule That Tune-Up: If you haven’t had a heating system tune-up in a while, it’s a good idea to get one as we move toward B20. The technician can replace filters, check burner settings, and ensure your system is Bioheat-ready (again, most are by default). This pre-empts any minor hiccups, like an old clog that could be freed by the solvent effect of biodiesel. Think of it as giving your furnace a clean bill of health for the new fuel era.
- Upgrade Old Components if Needed: In rare cases, very old oil lines or seals might not like biodiesel. If your system is from the 1960s, for example, consult with an HVAC professional in New York. You might proactively replace fuel pump seals or rubber fuel lines with modern synthetic ones, which are biodiesel-compatible. Most NYC homes have had those updates over time, but if you’re unsure, an Energo service expert can advise during maintenance. Fortunately, these parts are inexpensive if they do need swapping out.
- Ask Questions: If you’re curious or concerned about Bioheat, don’t hesitate to ask your provider. At Energo, our team is happy to explain our fuel blend, how we ensure quality, and what you can expect. Transparency helps everyone feel comfortable. We can even show you how our automatic delivery service accounts for Bioheat blends when predicting your next fill-up – spoiler: the effect is minimal, but we’ve got you covered regardless!
- Enjoy the Green Benefits: If you’ve got kids or grandkids at home, feel free to tell them you’re heating with a blend of renewable fuel. It’s something to be proud of. You’re helping NYC breathe a little easier and doing your part to combat climate change, all while staying warm. That’s a great conversation starter and a lesson in sustainable living courtesy of your boiler!
The Bottom Line on B10 vs B20
As NYC advances from B10 to B20 Bioheat, rest assured that your oil-heated home will remain as warm and comfortable as ever. The differences between these blends largely come down to cleaner emissions and a slight shift in fuel composition that your burner can easily handle. You likely won’t notice any change in how your heating system operates day-to-day – except maybe less soot in the flue and knowing that your heating choice is now greener.
Bioheat is one of the big reasons oil heating has a bright future in New York. It’s evolving with the times, proving that we can honor our environmental responsibilities without abandoning the reliable systems that keep us safe in winter. At Energo, we’re excited to deliver B20 and beyond, because it means giving our customers the best of both worlds: comfort and sustainability.
Have more questions about Bioheat or heating oil in general? Give us a call at: 1.888.378.9898.
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