Diesel fuel vs. Heating Oil ??

markie61 · May 12, 2003

In Virginia, difference is sales tax of 4.5%. Oil used for home heating = no sales tax. EXACT SAME PRODUCT when sold for off-road use is charged sales tax. Agriculture use of off-road entitles you to a tax break.

On-road is different than off-road other than red dye - it has a lower sulfer content and, of course, it has road taxes added into the price.

I go to the place that delivers my heating oil. They have 2 diesel pumps: 1 labeled "off-road only" and the other labeled "winterized". The difference in price is about 25cents. Oh, and getting the fuel at the pump is usually about 20cents less per gallon than the same stuff delivered to my home heating tank (delivery charges.)

Mark

MadReferee · May 12, 2003

Winter blend vs summer (regular) blend

Back in the 90's I owned a convenience store/gas station. Come each November the fuel distributor brought a load of kerosene and dumped it into the diesel storage tank. He said this made my current stock compatible with the winter blend that he gets from the supplier. I guess kero is used as a thinner for the winter.

agcomike · May 12, 2003

my gatherings is the tax is the road tax at least that's how it works here around 40c a gallon diffrence.. any purpose other than on-highway service is exempt.. generators..tractors..dozers etc..

knucklehead · May 12, 2003

Steve - ditto on the welcome! My brother lives in Atkinson. You must be talking about the dealer in Plaistow? I wish they'd get their web site going. There's been a lot of family drool lost on their lot. Glad to hear you've had a good experience with them.

When I worked in the woodyard of the paper mill near where we grew up, they had "heating oil" delivered in the Summer, but mixed it 50/50 with kerosene in the Winter. They ran a lot of different stuff with it, all with good results in the face of "woodyard maintenence". I have talked to a lot of people about this, including my oil dealer, and they don't see a difference other than the vague reference to additives and the caution about road use and the law. Ultimately I don't use enough to make a difference, but I sure wish I could get a straight answer (looks like JMIII gave us one, though).

The one head scratcher I can't get over is why I have to keep my oil tank in the cellar - they say the fuel will gel, and I have to run kero if I put it outside. So, if road diesel and heating oil are the same, why the concern? I seriously smell either government BS or marketing here, but I don't want to gum up the tractor or the burner. I am considering moving the tank and adding more capacity with some work we are doing, and it would be a great time to add a tap to the piping for handy tractor refills.

We need a mole in the industry!

Darren · May 12, 2003

The IRS will have the forms or you should be able to find them on their site. I use regular road diesel for everything. I have one storage tank for everything on or off road so I'm I'm paying more tax than I need.

I stock up on diesel during the year when it's at its lowest price. I figure I save way more than the extra tax I pay. FWIW, I'm running $1.22 per gal diesel.

Bob999 · May 12, 2003

The one head scratcher I can't get over is why I have to keep my oil tank in the cellar - they say the fuel will gel, and I have to run kero if I put it outside. 

As I indicated in my comments earlier in this thread: some diesel fuel, particularly winter mixes, have additives that are not generally in products that are sold as heating oils. 

You can also purchase additives to reduce the gel point of diesel (heating oil). Truck stops carry it and you can also buy it at Wal Mart.

knucklehead · May 12, 2003

I saw that, but I guess it'd be nice to know what and how much is in the stuff at the pumps - although I suppose it wouldn't be too tough to mix a batch at a time into a smaller container for transfer into the tractor.

Anyone know how cold you can get home heating oil before it gives trouble? 40F? 50F?

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

A lot colder than that,how cold I'm not sure,but well below freezing.I got a 500 gal.tank out side,once a year when I get it filled I have them dump a gt. of conditioner in it just to be safe,but I bet you wouldn't need do do that unless you was down to 0 degrees or so,in 11 years we have never had any problems of it jelling,it can get down below 0 on occasion here,but it doesn't come close to the lows maine can get in some areas,[I bet]. RICHARD GAUTHIER

Bob999 · May 12, 2003

I guess it'd be nice to know what and how much is in the stuff at the pumps 

I would like to know also--at least to what temperature the fuel can be subjected without gelling. I think that falls in the category of trade secret unless you have a lab or or willing to pay one to do an analysis. Unless we have a member in the trade participating in this board, and there is a willingness to share, I don't think we will ever know.