Can I use Kerosene in an Oil Furnace?

Question

I don't have the money to pay for heating oil. I am renting an old trailer with an oil furnace. My parents seem to think they can go geta 5 gallon can of Kerosene and dump in the oil tank. Is this a safe thing to do? Will it mess up the Oil furnace?

The reason they want to put the Kerosene instead of Oil is not the price. But the minimum the oil company will deliver is 150 gallons=$400. They are getting the Kerosene because you can get it from the gas station. I don't think the oil company will fill up a 5 gallon can of heating oil?

Answer 1

I don't think I would be asking that question here. Maybe call the manufacture

Answer 2

Kerosene In Oil Furnace

Answer 3

Kerosene Furnace

Answer 4

Kerosine, while very similar to both diesel & home heating oil is thinner (has a higher viscosity). This allows it to mix with both fuels and is done so to stop them from freezing in very low temperature. And while Jet fuel and kerosene are VERY similar, the major difference is jet fuel has additives to allow it to burn cleaner. This will allow engines to last longer due to less wear. If kerosine was the ONLY thing you had to use, it would work in a jet engine.

Use Diesel fuel instead of kerosine. It's the same as #2 home heating oil except that they tax diesel more. more. Home heating oil has a RED die added to it so truckers can't get away with using it thus avoiding paying transportation taxes added to diesel fuel. If caught using home heating oil, truckers have to pay a fine. Again the ONLY difference between diesel and # 2 home heating oil is the die.

People will use diesel because:
- it can be purchased at most gas stations
- transported in approved containers like a 5 gallon gas container
- These containers have a spout for easier pouring.

Standard gas containers will work fine but you are going to want to make sure that EVERY drop of gasoline is out of the container if it has EVER been used to transport gasoline. This can most easily be done by:
- getting a wide mouth jar like a peanut butter jar
- use it to pour the lat few drops out of gas out then cap the jar.
- leave the gas can in a SECURE and WELL VENTILATED area with the spout cover OFF.
That will allow the very last of the gas to evaporate.

Oil companies have a minimum delivery amount ranging anywhere from 75 to 150 gallons depending upon the company policy. In a pinch where someone may want to use diesel if:
- They can't afford to get the minimum delivery amount
- They have run out of oil in the middle of the night or on a weekend and it is very cold,
cold enough to burst pipes in a hot water system
It is very cold and there are elderly, someone sick, children, animals susceptible to the cold (birds/fish)
- They want to avoid additional costs of an emergency delivery

If you have totally run out of oil, it will be necessary to 'prime the system' in order to restart the furnace. (Just one more thing... Oh joy, right? LOL)

Answer 5

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#2 fuel oil delivers approximately 130,000 BTU/Gallon. All other things being equal. #1 fuel oil (kerosene) delivers approximately 123,500 BTU/Gallon. Both these numbers will vary by the actual fraction-content of the oil. Fuel oil high in paraffin can deliver up to 145,000 BTU, similarly with kerosene to as much as 140,000 BTU. But the above averages are good for discussion purposes. Note that the 'heavier' fuels will tend to gel at very low temperatures. As to how long it will last - if you are not running the furnace 100% of the time, the fuel-oil will last longer as the heat content is higher. However, if you are running the furnace 100% of the time (extreme cold), the limiting factor becomes the size of the nozzle (orifice), they will both last equally long. Only 100 gallons? The typical size is 275 gallons. You might consider a larger tank as a 100 gallon tank is good for only about 3-5 days with the typical furnace (0.75 - 1.20 gallons per hour) under extreme conditions.

Answer 6

For you own safety you need to get the make of the furnace and contact their technical people to see if this would be a problem. Last time I checked kerosene was more expensive than heating oil. so first confirm the price if you pick up at the dealer and do not have delivered.

Answer 7

I don't think you should do that. Kerosene is more highly refined than fuel oil. Get a 5 gallon can and go to a place that sells off road fuel. You must have a place around you that sells to farms and places that use fuel oil for heat. The stuff we buy around here has a red dye in it and if you are caught using in in an on road vehicle you be in trouble.

Answer 8

kerosene is more refined. it will cost you about $0.20-$0.30 more per gal for kerosene than for normal fuel oil. so you wont be saving any money, but kerosene does burn and i know that they use to add kerosene to diesel trucks to keep it fron gelling up during cold winter months...i just don't know antone that wanted to add it to there oil tank due to the cost. the link below shows the avg cost in new york state of fuel oil and kerosene.
as for kerosene being used in your oil furnace, im not sure but you might need to have it adjusted to operate properly and efficiently. save your self the trouble and stick with fuel oil or switch to kerosene heaters that were mentioned previously.

Answer 9

yes its the same thing its just dont burn as clean . it wont mess nothing up kerosine is like diesel just not as refined. after winter is over you might have to have the burner cleaned. but it works the same as regular heating oil but 5 gallons wont get you very far . kerosine is thinner burns just a little faster than heating oil. it will work trust me i spent a year in antarctica . mcmurdo station they heat with jp8 its jet fuel basicly with antifreeze in it . its just even more refined diesel. you can burn kerosine in a jet engine if you had to.

Answer 10

Diesel would have been a better choice. There is more BTUs in diesel than K1 and it a heck of allot cheaper. If it will run ok K1 it will run on diesel.