Even if you heat your home with an oil burning furnace, you can burn a more renewable fuel by using bio-heating oil, which is traditional home heating oil blended with 5% Biodiesel (known as B5). Biodiesel is made in the U.S. from soy, corn, and other vegetable oils, animal fats, recycled restaurant oils, and other natural sources. New sources, such as algae and cellulose from switch grass, cornstalks, and other plants, are under investigation. As an incentive, the State of Maryland offers a Bio-Heating Oil Tax-Credit of up to $500 for using bio-heating oil through 2017. Bio-heating oil costs are similar to traditional heating oil costs.
Take Action:
Purchase bio-heating oil from a distributor serving Frederick County. As of March 2013, two distributors offered bio-heating oil:
Use biofuel in your flexible fuel or diesel vehicle
If you drive a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), you can use a more renewably generated fuel by purchasing ethanol instead of gasoline. E85 is an abbreviation for a fuel blend of up to 85% ethanol fuel and gasoline. Ethanol is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops (primarily corn) and about one-third of all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol. Controversy remains about the efficiency of ethanol production and its impact on energy use, agriculture, and vehicle fuel efficiency, so you may want to learn more before making a decision that is right for you. The price per gallon is comparable to gasoline but varies by region; however, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov, FFVs operating on E85 usually experience a 25–30% drop in miles per gallon due to ethanol’s lower energy content.
If you drive a diesel vehicle, you can use fuel-grade biodiesel. Biodiesel is an alternative to standard diesel fuel that is made from biological, non-toxic and renewable ingredients, such as plant oils or animal fat. Biodiesel, which can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification, is usually blended with standard diesel fuel. The most common blend is B20, or 20 percent biodiesel to 80 percent standard, but as of 2012, only B5 is offered at stations around Frederick County.
Ethanol and Biodiesel are relatively new to the consumer market so availability is currently limited to a handful of gas stations.
Take Action:
Use E85Locator.net to find nearby E85 gas stations and purchase E85 for your flex fuel vehicle.
Use the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance’s Nearbio website to find nearby biodiesel stations and purchase biodiesel for your diesel vehicle.
Attend a workshop, seminar, or discussion about renewable energy
Would you like to learn more about renewable energy technologies? Attend a Renewable Energy 101 or Solarize Workshop hosted by the Green Homes Challenge team. Check the online schedule or call the Sustainability Program Coordinator at 301.600.6864 for dates and times.
You can also attend a workshop, seminar, or discussion on an issue of interest to you hosted by another organization. Some regional organizations that host courses, workshops and seminars related to renewable energy include: The Common Market, Frederick Community College, and Hagerstown Community College
If you like the idea of inspiring or motivating others to go green, consider becoming a Green Ambassador for your workplace, faith community, or neighborhood organization! Complete the Green Ambassador Interest Form or contact us to learn more.
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