Heating Oil (Light Heating Oil, Heavy Heating Oil, Bio Heating Oil)

Heating oil is primarily produced from crude oil, which is separated into different petroleum products and further processed in refineries using various refining processes. One of the central processing steps is distillation, during which the components contained in crude oil are separated according to their different boiling ranges.

The components used to produce heating oil are subsequently treated through additional refining processes and blended to achieve the required product properties. These include an appropriate sulphur content, defined flow characteristics and consistent quality for the intended application.

In Germany, extra-light heating oil is specified according to DIN 51603-1. This standard defines the quality requirements for Heizöl EL and provides an important basis for its use in suitable oil-fired combustion systems.

Heavy heating oil, also referred to as Heizöl S, differs significantly from extra-light heating oil due to its composition and higher viscosity. It is primarily used in industrial combustion plants designed for its specific properties and frequently requires preheating to facilitate pumping and atomisation.

In addition to conventional heating oil grades, variants containing biogenic components have been developed. Heizöl EL A Bio contains suitable biogenic components, such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The corresponding product quality and requirements for use are described in the relevant technical specifications.

The properties of heating oil are determined by its chemical composition and the applicable product specifications. Energy content, viscosity, sulphur content and low-temperature behaviour are particularly relevant to its use as a fuel.

Key properties include:

• Composition: Extra-light heating oil mainly consists of a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from crude oil processing.

• Energy content: One litre of extra-light heating oil contains approximately 10 kilowatt-hours of energy. The precise value depends on factors including density and composition.

• Sulphur content: Low-sulphur extra-light heating oil contains no more than 50 milligrams of sulphur per kilogram of fuel.

• Flow properties: Viscosity affects the ability to pump and atomise heating oil. Due to its higher viscosity, heavy heating oil generally requires preheating.

• Biogenic components: Heizöl EL A Bio additionally contains suitable biogenic components. Their type and proportion are determined by the respective product specification.

Heating oil quality is essential for the reliable operation of the respective combustion system. The fuel's properties must be compatible with the technical requirements of the burner, boiler, storage tank and fuel supply system.

Heating oil is frequently compared with diesel fuel, bio heating oil and other liquid fuels. Although these products share certain characteristics, they differ in their composition, specifications and intended applications.

• Extra-light heating oil (Heizöl EL): A light heating oil primarily used to generate heat in suitable oil-fired combustion systems. In Germany, Heizöl EL must comply with the requirements of DIN 51603-1.

• Heavy heating oil (Heizöl S): A higher-viscosity heating oil predominantly used in appropriately equipped industrial combustion plants, where preheating may be necessary.

• Bio heating oil (Heizöl EL A Bio): Low-sulphur extra-light heating oil containing a defined proportion of biogenic components. Its use requires compatibility with the respective heating system and compliance with the relevant product specifications.

• Diesel fuel: A middle-distillate fuel also primarily produced from crude oil and used particularly in diesel engines. Despite similarities in their source components, diesel fuel and heating oil differ in their product specifications, taxation and permitted uses.

In everyday language, the term heating oil frequently refers to extra-light heating oil used in residential oil-fired heating systems. However, the technical term covers several types of liquid fuel, each with its own properties and applications.

Heating oil is mainly used to heat buildings and in commercial and industrial combustion plants. Its specific applications vary depending on the heating oil grade, plant capacity and technical requirements.

Extra-light heating oil is used particularly in private households, apartment buildings and commercial properties. In suitable central heating systems, it is burned to provide energy for space heating and domestic hot water. The fuel is stored in dedicated heating oil tanks, meaning the heating system does not depend on a continuous fuel supply through a pipeline network.

In larger commercial and industrial facilities, liquid fuels are used for applications including process heat generation. Heavy heating oil is primarily used in facilities equipped to handle its particular properties.

In Germany, heating oil products are subject to technical quality requirements and legal regulations governing their storage, use and emissions. The use of low-sulphur heating oil grades and the development of fuels containing biogenic components form part of the ongoing technical development of the heating oil market.

In addition to fuel quality, the reliable availability and supply of suitable heating oil grades play an important role in practical heat supply.

Information about the heating oil grades available from MB Energy, delivery options and ordering heating oil can be found on our Heating Oil overview page.

Heating oil is a liquid fuel primarily produced from petroleum and mainly used to supply heat in residential, commercial and industrial installations. Different heating oil grades vary in their composition, flow characteristics, quality requirements and intended applications.

Extra-light heating oil is primarily used in residential and commercial oil-fired heating systems and is specified in Germany according to DIN 51603-1. Heavy heating oil is predominantly used in industrial combustion plants and often requires preheating due to its properties. Heizöl EL A Bio contains additional biogenic components and is subject to specific requirements regarding product specifications and equipment compatibility.

The reliable operation of an oil-fired heating system depends on selecting the appropriate heating oil grade, ensuring suitable storage conditions and meeting the technical requirements of the heating installation.