Written by Rickdatech

If you use Home Heating Oil (HHO) to heat your home, Making Biodiesel at Home can lower your heating bill. Most people can run a B20 without any modifications. A few people have reported issues with higher blends. The problems include inconsistent starting, clogged filters and dripping nozzles.

Biodiesel is an excellent solvent. It will dissolve the crud in your HHO tank and dump it in your fuel filter, clogging it. Most filters have a bypass built into them. When the filter clogs, the bypass opens, and dirty fuel bypasses the filter, clogging up nozzles and lines. Trash making it's way into the nozzle is also the cause for dripping nozzles. The cheap fix is to watch and replace the filter when it clogs. Filters are only a few dollars.  If your HHO tank is old, it will probably be best to replace it or have it cleaned before using biodiesel.

Inconstant starting is mostly due to the differences between the way biodiesel and HHO burn. The air fuel ratio needs to be adjusted for biodiesel to maintain the proper flame size and color. The CAD cell is the safety device that shuts off the fuel when there is no flame. If the color or brightness of the flame is off, the CAD cell will shut off the flow of fuel. If you are not experienced working on furnaces, your best course of action will be to hire a furnace technician experienced with biodiesel to adjust your furnace for biodiesel.

For those experienced with working on furnaces, going to a smaller .75 GPH nozzle and adjust the flame slightly lean.

Related Links:

FAQ for Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends in Home Heating Applications From B5 to B100 - Champlain Biofuel

COMBUSTION TESTING OF A BIO-DIESEL FUEL OIL BLEND IN RESIDENTIAL OIL BURNING EQUIPMENT - NBB

A Comparison of Liquid Biofuels in Home Heating Furnaces, Preliminary Study- University of Connecticut Consortium

A Total Look at Oil Burner Nozzles - Delvan Spray Technologies Inc.