Waste oil heaters and waste oil boilers are typically fueled with used vegetable oil, recycled oil, used motor oil or used transmission fluid.

Restaurants, auto repair shops, quick lubes and manufacturing facilities generate a surplus of used oil. It is difficult to dispose of waste oil. Tap into this enormous surplus by installing waste oil heaters and waste oil boilers today!

Waste Oil Heaters / Waste Oil Boilers - Commonly Asked Questions:

Is it really free to heat with waste oil?
Only if you self-generate a sufficient supply of waste oil. In reality, waste oil heaters still use electricity to power the blower fan. This cost is about 1/60th of the cost to run a comparable clean fuel oil heater.

Most states have waste oil suppliers if you do not generate enough on your own. Waste oil prices range from $.50 to $.90 per gallon delivered. Take a look at the cost of diesel fuel oil the next time you are filling up your vehicle. Crunch the numbers; the payback for purchasing a waste oil heater is often less than 1 year.

Where can I obtain waste oil?
Waste oil cannot be safely dumped into the ground, landfills or waterways. Commercial entities that generate waste oil typically pay a recycler for proper disposal. You can purchase waste oil from recyclers or buy it directly from the source that produces it. The most common waste oil producers are restaurants, quick lubes, automotive repair shops and factories that use hydraulic equipment.

What is the BTU potential of a typical gallon of waste oil?
A gallon of waste oil contains 153,000 to 180,000 BTU’s per gallon. For comparison, a gallon of propane fuel will produce 92,000 BTU’s

Are there environmental concerns when burning waste oil?
Modern waste oil heaters and waste oil boilers do not produce odors or smoke. Before you purchase a waste oil heater or waste oil boiler, make sure it meets all EPA requirements.

The cons:
As with any heating device, there are pros and cons. Waste oil heaters can require more frequent cleaning then a traditional clean fuel oil heater. If you follow the manufacturer’s installation and operation instructions, you shouldn’t run into problems. The money you are saving grossly outweighs the small amount of additional maintenance that may or may not be required.

Lanair Waste Oil Heater And Waste Oil Boiler Commonly Asked Questions:

1. What are the benefits of a LANAIR waste oil heater and waste oil boiler?

a. Lanair has lots of experience. Lanair has been in the industry since 1976.
b. Simple technology - A waste oil heater pumps oil to the burner under pressure, where the oil is mixed with low-pressure air for atomization prior to combustion.
c. Technology was different years ago. A waste oil heater and waste oil boiler now has the ability to burn dirtier oil.
d. Lanair provides factory direct customer service via telephone to all customers. This gives the end user direct access to the designers and engineers that build the product!

2. How does a Waste Oil Heater and Waste Oil Boiler work?

a. Used oil is pumped from the storage tank to the burner where it is preheated.
b. Low pressure air enters the burner and is preheated.
c. In the burner, preheated used oil & air are mixed causing a mist of oil to pass thru the nozzle where it is ignited. This is referred to as atomization.
d. The heater is then thermostatically controlled.

3. How much will the installation cost?

a. Lanair can lower your installation costs by selling a complete heater, chimney and tank package.
b. The average cost is $1,000 to $1,500 less with a complete Lanair package (tank and chimney).
c. Costs vary by application, HVAC rates in your area and tank regulations.
d. The Lanair heater/tank package with chimney is a very cost effective, simple installation choice.

4. How long will it take to install?

It varies by building and location of the waste oil heater being installed. The average time is 6-8 hours.

5. Can the tank be located outside?

The oil must be pumped to an inside feed tank and must be at least 40 degrees F. prior to being pumped to the burner. The oil is then preheated to 160 degrees F. in the burner.

6. How much maintenance can I expect?

a. It varies by how dirty your fuel is. Transmission fluid is the cleanest; diesel truck & equipment oil is the dirtiest. On average, plan on cleaning your waste oil heater 1-2 times per season.
b. Pre-filter your oil prior to pouring it into the tank. A mesh screen will help.
c. Do not mix oil with solvents and parts washer fluid.
d. Do not burn gear lubes. They will cause more maintenance even if mixed with fuel oil.
e. Clean filters MONTHLY.
f. Drain water/antifreeze from tank.
g. Vacuum combustion chamber 1-2 times per season.
h. ANNUAL cleaning per the maintenance manual is necessary.
i. ANNUAL factory tune-up or purchase kit for tune-up.

7. How much noise can I expect?

Overall, the noise is about the same as a regular fuel oil heater.

8. Why are waste oil heaters more expensive than common fuel oil heaters?

a. The technology required to burn waste oil is more expensive than fuel oil.
b. The payback period can be as quick as 1 year.

9. What can I burn?

a. U.L. listed fuels are waste oil 10-50 weight fuel oil. Brake fluid is illegal to burn. Hydraulic fluid, if mixed with waste oil, is no problem.
b. Stay away from gear lubes. They will cause you more maintenance which is true for all brands of waste oil heaters.
c. It is illegal to mix hazardous waste with your waste oil.
d. Synthetic oil – but no more than 25% or more of mixture.

10. What is the life expectancy?

If properly installed, operated, and maintained, 10 years or more is common. This depends on how well you maintain the waste oil heater.

11. How much water can I burn?

a. Water/antifreeze will not burn.
b. Water/antifreeze must be drained from the storage tank.

12. How much oil will it burn every day?

a. Varies by model and thermostat setting.
b. Refer to model specifications.
c. Average 60-75% run time based on thermostat setting and temperature in building when unit is started.
d. Varies with how often the doors are open/shut and how well the building is insulated.

13. What is the cost of annual maintenance?

a. Annual factory burner service on average is from $300 to $600.
b. Summer maintenance is 3-4 hours.

15. How soon will I recover the initial waster oil heater cost?

a. Varies by your location.
b. Typically, 1-2 years.
c. Savings in used oil disposal costs should also be considered.

16. Is the Lanair waste oil heater EPA approved?

a. Yes, with 3 provisions:
i. The waste oil heater only burns used oil that the owner or operator generates or used oil received from household do-it–yourself used oil generators.
ii. The heater is designed to have a maximum capacity of not more than 0.5 million BTU per hour.
iii. The combustion gases from the heater are vented to the ambient air.
b. It is illegal to burn waste oil in California and New York City.

17. Can I use my waste oil heater as the sole source of heat?

a. Yes, however Lanair recommends you keep your other source, keep its thermostat down and use it as a backup to your waste oil heater.
b. It depends on how many waste oil heaters you have.

18. What is Lanair’s warranty coverage?

a. 1 year on parts.
b. 10 year limited warranty on combustion/heat exchanger.

19. Are they legal in my area:

a. Federal EPA regulations allow the on-site burning of waste oil.
b. NFPA #31. Oil burning equipment, allows waste oil heaters.
c. California and New York City outlaw burning used oil.
d. Check with your local fire department and ensure you inform them that the Lanair units are U.L. listed.
e. Waste oil boilers are not allowed in Massachusetts.
f. New Jersey requires a permit.

20. What size do I need?

It depends on the following:
1. Size of building-how well it is insulated.
2. How much oil you have (400-500 gallon minimum – then probably mix with fuel oil).
3. Call us for a detailed heat load calculation.

21. Can I turn the waste oil heater off at night? Will it restart in the morning?

a. Programmable thermostat controls are available.
b. The oil in the building must be 35-40 degrees prior to ignition.
c. We recommend lowering the thermostat at night to 50 degrees and raising it in the morning.
d. We recommend turning off pre-heaters if you will not be using it 6 consecutive days.

22. I heard waste oil heaters have a lot of problems, is this true?

a. 95% of all problems are related to:
i. Improper fuels.
ii. Improper installation.
iii. Lack of maintenance
b. A waste oil heater is like your truck. Take care of it and drive 1,000,000 miles!

23. What else do I need with the heater and tank system?

a. Class “A” chimney, barometric damper, and capped clean-out tee, which are all available from Lanair.
b. Source of air, 2 CFM 60 PSI – reduced at unit.
c. Secondary air regulator (to reduce air).
d. Electrical (unit requires its own dedicated circuit).
i. Refer to the installation diagram. The qwner’s manual is specific. Class “A” chimney is rated for 1900 degrees F. The barometric damper equalizes pressure between the inside of the building & exhaust gases allowing you to adjust exhaust draft for proper flame. This insures exhaust gases flow out of the chimney properly.

24. Why doesn’t Lanair have an on-board compressor?

a. Most customers have their own compressor.

25. Can I put a waste oil heater in my house?

a. No, all codes prohibit burning waste oil in a house.
b. Only if, your insurance company classifies your home as a commercial or industrial building and you change 500 gallons per year.

26. Who installs a waste oil heater?

a. We highly recommend a licensed heating contractor.
b. If you self-install, ensure you have an HVAC contractor verify the installation and do not deviate from the owner’s manual or local codes.

27. Can I burn solvents or anti-freeze?

a. No, it is illegal to burn hazardous waste.
b. A small amount of anti-freeze that leaks into the engine block is okay. Mixing it into waste oil is a No-No!

28. Do the heaters smoke or give off an odor?

No, provided they are installed right, adjusted properly, and only authorized fuels are burned, there will be no smoke or odor.

29. Why does a waste oil heater have to be 8 feet in the air?

a. Codes require them to be 8 feet in air or in a furnace room with a two (2) hour fire rating.
b. If gasoline is present in building, the 8 foot rule ensures gas vapors will not be a problem.

30. Can I install a waste oil heater in my body shop?

No, the paint booth exhaust can suck chimney gases back into the heater and building.

31. Why should I burn waste oil when I am being paid for it?

The waste oil you generate is a free fuel source at an ever increasing value. Check out our cost comparison sheet and energy cost calculator.