When it comes to cutting carbon emissions, many states are taking prompt action. Connecticut is following closely behind Rhode Island in enacting a mandate for all heating oil delivered in the state to contain at least 10% biodiesel (B10 Bioheat®) fuel. This mandate was enacted in June 2025, but it’s just the beginning. Learn more about what this regulation means for you.
A Closer Look at Bioheat®
Renewable biodiesel is a low-sulfur heating oil that’s made with renewable and recyclable products such as soybean oil, used cooking oil, inedible corn oil, canola, fats, tallow, and algae. Because it is a clean product, you can trust that Bioheat® won’t cause any harm to your indoor environment.
Bioheat® is the industry’s registered name for the additive. To qualify as Bioheat®, every batch must undergo rigid ASTM D396 testing with the American Society of Testing and Materials.
Each blend is represented as a percentage. For example, the current mandate in Connecticut requires heating oil to have B10 or 10% biodiesel in the heating oil.
Some people are concerned about rising heating bills once they hear about the heating additive. This should not be the case. In fact, you may see lower heating costs since this additive will provide greater fuel efficiency. As the percentage of Bioheat® increases in your heating oil, you can expect greater heating efficiency from the oil.
How Does Bioheat® Affect You?
Governor Ned Lamont signed these mandates into law for Connecticut on July 12, 2021. The B5 mandate was originally initiated by 2022. Connecticut enacted the B10 requirement this year, and incremental increases will bring the mandate up to B50 by 2035.
What else does this mean for the future? Bioheat® has a cleaner, organic formula that won’t damage heat exchangers or lead to the corrosion of components. This promotes more efficient fuel flow.
Heating equipment manufacturers are already adjusting their products to account for the higher biodiesel percentages. The new equipment will run with improved performance, and heat homes more efficiently.
What Are the Benefits of Using Heating Oil With Bioheat®?
When looking at the effects of Bioheat®, you’ll find out that the additive offers personal benefits and environmental benefits. Here’s a brief look at the personal benefits that Bioheat® provides:
- Low-carbon, energy-efficient fuel
- Longer-lasting equipment
- No need to modify your heating equipment
- Fewer emissions for cleaner indoor air quality
In addition, Bioheat® delivers environmental advantages. For example, there’s already a lower percentage of carbon in all heating oil shipped throughout the state of Connecticut. As a biodiesel, it comes strictly from organic and renewable sources.
Multiple government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, have confirmed the positive effects of using Bioheat®. They found greenhouse gas emissions dropped to 86%.
Some worry that Bioheat® will compete with the food production industry, but nothing could be further from the truth. The cooking oils come from reused sources. Similarly, the organic oils in this product all come from recycled and non-food-grade crops. Everything comes from feedstocks that don’t affect the human food supply.
Enjoy Contributing to a Cleaner Connecticut
You can enjoy the benefits of having Bioheat® in your heating oil without taking any action. In fact, you have already enjoyed this cleaner additive in your heating oil. You’ll continue contributing to a cleaner Connecticut with every order of heating oil you place in the future.