Kerosene, commonly referred to as heating oil, is a fossil fuel used for heating purposes.
It derives from the refinement of crude oil and is widely used as heating oil in homes across the UK. Kerosene comes in many guises, such as paraffin, boiler fuel, burning oil, heating oil, and 28 second oil, amongst others!
The ’28 second’ name refers to the test used to ascertain kerosene’s viscosity, measuring the time it takes for 50ml of kerosene to drip into a container. This is the same test behind the ’35 second’ name given to red diesel.
K+ heating oil is a premium heating oil product from Rix Petroleum that helps keep your oil-fired boiler and fuel storage tank clean. It can also help by increasing the reliability, performance, efficiency and lifespan of your heating system. It also ages slower than standard Kerosene, saving you money in the long run.
Aga fuel refers to the specific type of fuel, typically liquid or gas, used to power Aga range cookers, which are iconic and traditional cast-iron cookers.
If you have an AGA-style cooker, it’s important that you use the right fuel to keep your appliance in good condition, boosting performance and reducing the risk of maintenance issues.
Our AGA fuel has active ingredients to fight these issues and keep your cooker running at maximum performance for longer. AGA cooker fuel from Rix is designed for use in oil-fired range cookers. It improves the ‘burn quality’ of domestic heating oil (kerosene) when used in range cookers and boilers and/or where vaporising burners are being utilised.
Want to know more about kerosene for your home? Or unsure about when and where it can be used? Our team of product experts are ready to advise on the best solution that meets your needs.
You should have your oil heating system and tank serviced annually by an OFTEC heating engineer. You should also perform regular visual inspections of your heating oil tank and ensure general upkeep on the below:
- Remove debris from the external bund.
- Ensure no foliage is covering the tank.
- Close access points when out of use.
- Clean any oil spillages.
- Check on the surrounding area of the heating oil tank for any oil stains.
- Check for bulging, cracks, rust or discolouration.
- Treat and pain steel tanks as required.
If you have any concerns, please seek further advice from Rix Heating Services, or an OFTEC registered engineer or company.
If you run out of heating oil, contact your local depot as soon as possible.
At all times we will endeavour to get your oil delivered to you quickly and efficiently but please be aware that this could take a little longer when fuel demand is at its highest, such as at Christmas time.
All of our depots stock Emergency 25-litre drums of heating oil, which you can pick up by visiting your local Rix Depot. Simply contact them in advance and they will get it ready for you to collect.
Following the delivery of your heating oil you will need to book an engineer to call to bleed the oil through to the boiler.
Heating oil itself will not freeze, however, if you have any traces of water in your tank that you are aware of, you may experience issues with your heating system. The water can be pulled through from your tank to your oil line and pass through your filter. If the temperature is low and water has gone through the filter, then this will then freeze which can stop your boiler working as this will starve your boiler of fuel.
Therefore if you have any traces of water in your tank it is important to address this as soon as possible to stop disruption to your oil heating system.
Without proper maintenance, bacteria can grow in your heating oil. This forms a sludge that corrodes your oil tank and pipes. An unusual smell is an indicator of bacterial growth.
Regular water removal and oil filtration will help prevent your heating oil going bad. You can also use additives to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. Kept in the proper conditions, heating oil should remain usable for around 10 years.
