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Waste Oil Frequently Asked Questions

What is waste oil?
Waste oil is used oil that would normally be discarded. Transmission oils, cooking and vegetable oils (not supported by the manufacturer), hydraulic oils, combustible synthetic oils or any oils up to 50 S.A.E. can all be used to fuel your heater. Lanair burners will also safely burn #1 and #2 fuel oils.
Why use waste oil?
Waste oil is basically free heat. Instead of paying increasing propane or natural gas prices, you can use a heat source that may already be in your shop. Our customers find that with the money they save on their heating bill, their waste oil heater usually pays for itself within 12-18 months. Using waste oil also eliminates the need to haul used oil off-site.

Waste oil helps to protect and conserve natural resources. By turning a waste product into a valuable fuel, you help to conserve natural energy sources and protect water and soil resources from oil pollution. Emissions are similar to burning standard fuel oil, plus on-site recycling reduces the chance of accidental spills, improper disposal, and vehicle emissions generated during transport of the used oil off-site.

Waste oil ends “Cradle-to-Grave” Liability. The liability for proper disposal of used oil extends from the moment it drains into your oil pan until it is processed or burned. This includes any accidental spills or intentional dumping by a used oil hauler. However, the U.S. EPA exempts the generator from that liability when used oil is recycled on-site for energy recovery. By burning used oil in Lanair heaters in accordance with EPA regulations, you eliminate superfund liability and uninsured expense, while gaining an economical source of heat.

Where can I get waste oil if I do not generate it, or do not generate enough to meet my heating requirements?
Because waste oil is truly a waste product that cannot be safely dumped into the ground, landfills or waterways, commercial entities that generate large quantities of waste oil must typically pay a third party for proper disposal. You can purchase waste oil from these third party recyclers or buy it directly from the producers of the waste oil. Businesses that produce waste oil are restaurants, quick lube oil change shops, automotive repair shops and factories with hydraulic equipment.
What is the BTU potential of a typical gallon of waste oil?
A typical gallon of waste oil contains 163,000 to 240,000 BTU per gallon, which can be more than two times the energy potential per gallon of low-pressure gas (propane or natural gas).
What type of businesses use waste oil heaters?
Car dealerships, automotive service, car wash and repair facilities are natural settings for waste oil furnaces and boilers. Trucking companies can battle high energy prices by dramatically reducing heating costs with Lanair equipment. Facilities servicing trains, buses, ships, excavation, mining and construction equipment can also enjoy free heat generated by waste oil heaters.
Does the heater produce smoke or a bad smell?
Lanair waste oil burner emits little odor and minimal smoke. Lanair waste oil burners meet or exceed all EPA requirements for such appliances or devices.
Can I install a waste oil boiler myself?
All local, state and federal codes must be met by the installer. Those codes vary from location and state and application. In most cases a boiler with a capacity above 200,000 BTU per hour must be installed by a contractor with the appropriate licenses and insurance. However, to ensure safety, we recommend professional installation on all boilers.
What sort of regular maintenance or service can I anticipate?
Maintenance typically consists of vacuuming residual ash and dust from inside the dual access doors in order to maximize efficiency. The reusable oil filter included with the burner may require occasional cleaning which can be quickly accomplished by rinsing in a solvent bath.
How much oil does a heater consume?
Oil consumption depends on the size of the heater and altitude, but generally ranges from .75 gallons per hour to 2.75 gallons per hour.

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