HVO
We all want cleaner and greener heating systems. That’s why next-generation HVO Heating Oil was invented.
HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. It’s a renewable liquid, future ready fuel, that’s almost a drop-in replacement for heating oil. According to OFTEC and UKIFDA, HVO can reduce carbon emissions by up to 88%*, when compared to legacy grades of home heating oil... and it's available from fuel distributors today.
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Fuelling the Future
The good news is you don’t need to buy an expensive new heating system to benefit from HVO. Dramatic reductions in household emissions can be achieved, simply by switching away from Kerosene. And HVO is already available today from selected fuel distributors nationwide. Moving to HVO is an affordable, straightforward and cost-effective process. It simply requires some minor changes to your boiler, and the installation of a HVO compatible tank.
As well as significant carbon reductions, HVO offers real and meaningful benefits to homeowners and householders alike:
- Existing boilers can potentially be retained. Rather than replacing the complete heating system, many existing oil-fired boilers can be converted to HVO with relatively simple and straightforward modifications;
- Less disruption than changing heating technology. Radiators, hot-water cylinders and pipework doesn't necessarily need replacing – making HVO an ideal choice at existing oil-fired heating installations;
- Ideal for harder-to-decarbonise homes. HM Government has already recognised that renewable liquid fuels such as HVO, could potentially have a role in decarbonising properties that cannot otherwise be easily or affordably, converted to electric heating;
- Storage stability. As a paraffinic hydrocarbon, HVO is characterised by excellent storage stability, making it an ideal replacement for legacy grades of home heating oil.
Good to go with HVO?
If you're ready to make the switch from conventional heating oil to HVO, all bunded heating oil tanks on sale from leading brands today - including Atlas, Carbery, Deso and Titan - are HVO approved. So, there's already a really great range of tanks to choose from. However, unless placed within a suitably bunded area, OFTEC advises that both new and existing single skin tanks, are unsuitable for HVO storage.
Today's bunded tanks from leading manufacturers including Atlas, Carbery, Deso and Titan are all approved for the storage of HVO heating fuels. Image Credit: Atlas Tanks, Carbery Plastics, DESO and Titan.
What about existing tanks?
If you're planning to use an existing tank for HVO storage, it's important to note that according to OFTEC, 'Existing single skinned storage tanks which are in good condition and are not in excess of 20 years of age should only be considered for reuse (with HVO) when installed within secondary containment systems to CIRIA Report 163, subject to inspection for integrity and having undergone internal cleansing.'
For most homeowners, it'll almost certainly be cheaper to simply upgrade to a new bunded tank, than to cleanse an existing single skin tank, and to construct a masonry bund.
If however, like many households, you already have an existing bunded tank, OFTEC goes on to say, 'Existing integrally bunded storage tanks should only be considered for short term use - prior to replacement - subject to inspection for integrity and having undergone internal cleansing and additionally even where they appear to be in reasonably good condition they should be considered to be at end of their useful life at 20 years of age.'
Irrespective of whether you have a single skin or a bunded tank, you'll also want to ensure that fuel lines, seals, valves and controls are HVO compatible. In practice, it's often easier (and frequently more affordable), to renew the fuel supply system in its entirety. A competent technician, such as a suitably qualified APHC or OFTEC registered technician can advise.
According to OFTEC, this life-expired, 24-year-old single skin heating oil tank is not suitable for the storage of HVO and will require replacement. Photo Credit: Author
This Carbery 1000SB Superslim Bunded Heating Oil Tank is manufacturer approved for the storage of HVO, and legacy grades of heating oil. Photo Credit: Author
Our Take...
Clean-burning, highly efficient, sustainable and inherently low carbon, as a (near) drop-in replacement for heating oil, HVO has got a lot to commend it. However, as it currently commands a premium over traditional grades of heating oil, many households are not ready to make the move away from legacy fuels just yet. But that premium is decreasing all the time. And, as HVO production increases, prices will almost certainly decrease further. So, when the time comes to upgrade, it makes sense to choose a HVO ready bunded oil tank.
