Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Everything (something) you always (never) wanted to know about heating oil

     Now there's #2 Heating Oil and there's Diesel Fuel. You may think there's a difference, but, no, they're actually the same. Oh, except for the color, that is. Your home heating oil will be pinkish, because of a dye that's added to mark a distinction between the two. Why? you may ask.
   The answer, as is true of most things in life, has to do with money, tax money to be specific.If I understand correctly, and it's possible that's not exactly precise, home heating oil is cheaper than diesel. Vehicles that use diesel are subject to an additional tax, beyond the taxes on home fuel oil. It's called a road tax.
   If a driver fills his tank with home fuel oil instead of that designated as diesel, there is no mechanical issue because they are the same. But that driver, if caught,  would be subject to considerable fines. It's against the law to drive on home fuel oil.
    "Well, how would anyone ever find out?" I ask, in my ignorance. Because the police would recognize diesel vehicles, and they regularly pull them over and test for that. As in, "Let me put a dipstick in your gas tank."
    Tune in for  next  lesson, "How to Conduct a Combustion Analysis for Dummies."
   ***Yes, DSS, I know you told me that once, and I apologize for thinking you were making stuff up.

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