Can I use home heating oil in my kerosene tank?

Short answer: yes. With the right additive, home heating oil works in an outdoor kerosene tank — and it usually costs less.

We were asked this by a customer in a mobile home park whose tank sits outside. It's a great question, so here's the full answer.

Why outdoor tanks usually hold kerosene

Kerosene doesn't gel in cold weather, which is why it's the usual choice for tanks that sit outdoors. Home heating oil can start to gel when it stays between roughly 16°F and 32°F for an extended period.

How we keep heating oil from gelling

We treat the oil with an anti-gel additive (we use Hot Shot) so it keeps flowing through cold snaps.

The payoff: heating oil generally costs less than kerosene, so over a season the switch can save you hundreds of dollars.

Questions?

Every setup is a little different. Call our office at 508-761-7651 and we'll talk it through.