Btus in oil

[maple maniac65]

I have Google docs this question and searched here on maple trader and have not found the answer I am looking for.

Is there a difference in btus between home heating oil and no2 feul?

The price in my area is hho $1.97, no 2 feul $1.67. Purchase 1000g and that is a $300.00 savings.

Everything I find says the same btus. Only difference is gel point without additives. Just need help clarifying this.

[maple flats]

According to www.engineeringtoolbox.com :
Grade Heating Value
(Btu/US gal) Comments
Fuel Oil No. 1 132900 - 137000 Small Space Heaters
Fuel Oil No. 2 137000 - 141800 Residential Heating
Fuel Oil No. 4 143100 - 148100 Industrial Burners
Fuel Oil No. 5 (Light) 146800 - 150000 Preheating in General Required
Fuel Oil No.5 (Heavy) 149400 - 152000 Heating Required
Fuel Oil No. 6 151300 - 155900 Bunker C
In some references #1 fuel oil is labeled as kerosene. #2 will be higher BTU's but may need additives for good flow. The best part is that during maple season you are not seeing extreme cold, if you did, there was no sap flow. That being said, a 2 pipe system between the tank and the burner will help raise the fuel temperature slightly which may help. The greatest increase there comes from the pump warmed return line being in contact with the supply line and it thus helps warm the fuel headed towards the pump. Another approach is to get a blend, maybe 25% kero and 75% #2 fuel oil to ensure good flow. In extreme cold fuel is often cut 50% or more with kero.

[Willstrtr]

If there is a BTU difference, It would be miniscule. It is possible that the oil co. is cutting their #2 with kerosene to lower the gel point and that is the cost difference. In a sugarhouse, I would run #2 anyway as if it is cold enough to gel #2 fuel, the sap sure isn't running.

[Spanielslovesappin]

Just ask your suppler to clarify, Operationally avoiding the gel issue is your main concern. I am guessing your suppliers home heating oil is cut with Kerosene which would be needed for outdoor oil tanks. if your tanks are inside, buried or you will treat for anti-gel #2 is a fine choice.

[maple maniac65]

My tank is outside in the what used to be the woodshed. I will treat the oil in the tank. As most have said we don't boil in minus Temps. Although I did one year and it was a pain to keep the feed line for sap from freezing.Work gets in the way of boiling sonetimes.

[Dale Sparrow]

Used #2 with an additive I got from a local marina. No issues, quite cold too.