Diesel boilers: price, smell, consumption… what is the biofuel that will be launched on July 1?

This is one of the proposals of the Citizen Convention for Climate: ban domestic heating that uses fossil resources to protect the climate. As of July 1, 2022, the installation of a diesel or coal boiler in a new home will be prohibited and, in the event of a breakdown, the owner is obliged to replace his boiler with a more ecological appliance.

However, the fuel oil will not disappear completely. The biofuel will be launched on July 1 by the FF3C (French Federation of fuels, fuels and heating).

What is biofuel?

As its name indicates, biofuel is a derivative of fuel oil with a part of biological origin in order to present more ecological properties. Contains a percentage of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) made from rapeseed grown in France. Two products will be available to consumers:

• F10 composed of 10% rapeseed fatty acid methyl ester
• F30 composed of 30% rapeseed fatty acid methyl ester

Initially launched, the F30 will be able to supply new boilers while the F10 could be generalized from 2024, “depending on the available resource”, specifies the sector. A delay that can be explained by logistical issues.

Should I change my boiler?

Current boilers can continue to run on traditional domestic fuel oil. They tolerate a maximum of 7% methyl fatty acid at most. Work is being done on normalization to be able to increase up to 10% with biofuel F10. As of July 1, 2022, only boilers that can be operated with F30 can be installed in existing buildings to heat or produce hot water. To use the F30 it will be necessary to change the boiler burner and check the supply line. Each biocompatible material will bear the mention “Biofuel ready”. A heating engineer can provide you with the details.

Will I have to use biofuel?

You can continue to use your traditional domestic diesel boiler without limit. Any boiler budget made before July 1, 2022 will also allow the installation of a conventional diesel boiler. In the event of an irreparable breakdown, you will have to switch to biofuel F30 and adapt the boiler burner.

Should I change my tank?

Switching from traditional fuel oil to biofuel does not automatically require a tank change. Steel and HDPE tanks are compatible based on testing. On the other hand, cleaning will be recommended if storage has accumulated sediment and/or water.

Does biofuel heat as well as fuel oil?

The sector assures that the rapeseed ester has good combustibility, good storage stability and good resistance to cold.

Will it be more expensive?

Biofuel will be more expensive. Biofuel F30 should be 15% more expensive than current fuel oil. However, the profession indicates that a high-efficiency boiler consumes between 25 and 30% less than a 25-year-old boiler. Therefore, the customer will save money on their bill.

Does biofuel have a smell?

Professionals indicate that the F30 does not have a particular smell.

Is it really greener?

Fossil fuel emissions are approximately 270 grams of C02 per kWh. For biofuel, emissions are around 60 grams of C02 per kWh. It must not exceed greenhouse gas emission thresholds.

Is fuel oil still used in France?

Obviously ! More than 3.5 million homes still use fuel oil. They mainly live in individual houses in rural areas. It is the third heating energy in France. Traditional heating oil will continue to be sold after July 1, 2022.

Where will the rapeseed come from?

Rapeseed used for biofuels is mainly produced in the Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand-Est regions. France is one of the main producers in Europe together with Germany. In 2018, 5 million tons were produced. The sector ensures that rapeseed will be “available in sufficient quantity without competing with human food.” It is a monoculture in rotation with wheat and barley.