Can I Use Diesel Fuel in My Oil Furnace?

When heavy snowfalls hit the Cincinnati area, homeowners waiting on a delayed oil delivery might wonder, “Can I put diesel fuel in my oil tank?” or “Can you use diesel as heating oil?” The answer is yes on both parts.

If your heating oil is running low or empty, diesel fuel is safe to use as a substitute in unexpected circumstances like severe weather that prevents your oil delivery, but you can ALWAYS count on us.

With 24/7 emergency service and online specials, Rick’s Heating & Cooling provides top-notch residential HVAC services in Warren, Butler, Hamilton, Clinton, Clermont, and Brown County.

If your oil furnace is still not working after adding diesel fuel, schedule emergency HVAC repair in Mason or Lebanon today by contacting Rick’s Heating & Cooling.

Can Diesel Fuel Heat My Home in an Emergency?

Yes, diesel fuel is similar to heating oil and can be used as a substitute to heat your home in an emergency. Though it’s best to plan ahead for Ohio’s wintry weather that can shut down roads and delay deliveries, substituting diesel for home heating oil is not uncommon. Diesel is refined and used in vehicles but doesn’t have dye like heating oil does.

If you have no hot water and your house is cold, reset the burner. Signs you might need furnace repair include a clogged filter from excess sludge or air in your feed lines.

To confirm if you have heating oil:

• Unscrew the plastic cover on your oil tank to expose the float-style gauge. If it’s above the one-eighth marker, you may still have oil.
• Press or lift the red disk gently. When you release it, it should float on the oil in the tank but if it drops to the bottom, there’s no oil.
• You can purchase diesel fuel at a gas station and add it to your fill pipe.

How To Use Diesel Fuel To Heat Your Home

As a safety precaution, keep your heater well-ventilated as diesel can create more soot than standard heating oil. After adding diesel fuel, monitor your oil furnace performance to ensure it operates correctly.

To use diesel fuel, follow the steps below.

How to purchase the correct type of fuel from a gas station

• At a gas station, buy a yellow container or generic version that can hold 5 to 10 gallons; red is reserved for gasoline.
• The amount of diesel you need can vary by home size and weather conditions if you expect further delays from snow/ice.
• If you have a used container, rinse it to eliminate contaminants that could damage your heating system. 

How to fill your oil tank

• To add diesel fuel, first, turn off your furnace to prevent an accident.
• DO NOT remove the plug in the oil tank located in your basement. Instead, go outside and open the fill cap where your oil truck hooks its hose.
• Carefully pour the diesel into the fill pipe, and it will flow into the oil tank.

Restart your furnace

• Wait 10 minutes after adding diesel fuel for the sediment to fall back into the tank’s base.
• Press the fuel oil burner’s red reset button to restart your system.
• If your furnace does not come on, the lines may need bleeding to release air, and we can help.

Long-Term Issues of Heating Your Home With Diesel Fuel

Running out of heating oil is unsafe in frigid weather. The good news is diesel fuel is a short-term substitute during a heating emergency. However, extended usage can shorten your furnace’s lifespan, increase soot buildup, and cause it to need more routine heating service. Diesel is also more expensive than standard heating oil. In a pinch, you can simply pour the diesel into the fill cap outside your home, where you receive oil deliveries. If your furnace is still not powering on, contact us for service.

In business since 1986, Rick’s Heating & Cooling is a BBB-accredited business that provides professional and prompt service, especially for heating emergencies.

With background-checked technicians, quick response times, and free estimates on replacement HVACs, we offer honest pricing and a discounted maintenance plan to keep your home toasty warm all winter.

We treat customers like family. Find an HVAC technician in Morrow or Cincinnati or book same-day furnace repair with Rick’s Heating & Cooling.