Is Premium Fuel Worth It?

If you are a casual motorist, you may have noticed the premium and high-octane fuels for sale at the petrol pumps and wondered if premium fuel is worth it. With promises of better efficiencies, cleaner engines and smoother driving, it’s no wonder these products demand a premium price. But what you might not know is there are premium versions of other fuel products too. Gas oil, for example, more commonly known as red diesel, agricultural diesel or tractor diesel is available as a premium product called Gas Oil Plus, and Kerosene Plus (K+) is a premium heating oil for your home. So, what is the difference between the premium products and their standard cousins, and, more crucially, are they worth the money?

Standard Gas Oil vs Gas Oil Plus

The main difference between standard Gas Oil and Gas Oil Plus is that Gas Oil Plus has a higher cetane number. The cetane number measures the combustion speed of fuel and the compression needed for ignition. This means that Gas Oil Plus ignites more easily than Gas Oil and burns more smoothly. These qualities bring a range of benefits to the user, including:

  • Smoother power delivery
  • Lower black smoke emission
  • Lower NOx emissions
  • Reduced engine noise

Gas Oil Plus is formulated specifically for use in modern diesel tractor engines, so it helps to keep the injectors clean. It also contains a demulsifying agent which separates water from the fuel and a corrosion inhibitor to protect metal surfaces against water corrosion.

So, although the price is slightly higher than standard Gas Oil, Gas Oil Plus can save you money. In the short term, premium fuel is worth it because it can bring greater fuel efficiency to your tractor, meaning you get more bang for your buck! In the long term, it helps to reduce wear and tear of your engine and corrosion, while keeping it cleaner than the standard fuel.

Standard Heating Oil Kerosene vs K+ Premium Heating Oil

K+ is a premium heating oil that is used to heat rural homes and businesses. It was created to reduce the formulation of sludge at the bottom of boilers, as this can significantly reduce efficiency.

Over time, oil-fired boilers and oil-fired range cookers can become clogged due to carbon fouling which results in a loss of temperature. K+ avoids this because it is more combustible than standard kerosene and contains fewer impurities.

There are other advantages to using K+, too, including:

  • It ages better than standard kerosene, meaning if you order heating oil just once or twice a year, K+ is much less likely to lead to boiler problems.
  • It burns more efficiently, which means your boiler doesn’t have to work so hard to sustain a desirable home temperature. This can lead to fewer breakdowns and keep maintenance work to a minimum.
  • In some circumstances, K+ actually cleans carbon fouling from your oil-fired boiler, helping your whole system to run more efficiently, meaning this premium fuel is worth its cost!

For those who operate an oil-fired boiler in their home, you may wish to consider upgrading to premium heating oil for a more efficient and well-run experience. If you’re concerned about the cost, take a look at our blog post on how to save money on your heating oil.

We’ll let you decide if you think premium fuel is worth it for you. While premium fuel products do cost a bit more than their standard counterparts, they can save you money in both the short and long term. They can also save you time and trouble too, by helping to take better care of your equipment or appliances.

At Rix Petroleum, we’re fuel experts and can provide any advice you need on matching the right fuel type to your needs. For more information about Gas Oil Plus, K+ or any other fuel we provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.