Aga - biofuel

Elsewhere

I have an oil-fired Aga. The engineer who serviced it the other day told me as from next year biofuel will be added to kerosene, and my Aga will no longer work unless it has an expensive conversion.

Does anyone know any more about this? The engineer didn't seem to...

I have googled, but have found no useful facts, ie. if this is true - when it's due to happen - exactly what is done in the conversion - whether I'd be better to switch to using the more expensive paraffin in my Aga (or if this is going to be biofuelled too?)

On a separate note, I disapprove of biofuel as it is currantly commercially produced as it is contributing to world hunger and distruction of the rainforests. So I wouldn't want to be forced to use it anyway!

Greenfires

Haven't heard anything about this so far - but I'm guessing that the "conversion" would be little more than a re-jetting exercise if one was needed at all. I know some airlines are using biokerosene blends in some of their planes - and this is produced from used cooking oil, rather than from new stuff.

Andy

Canucklehead

Hi: get it from the horse's mouth and contact AGA here ... ask for Technical.

HTH

Canucklehead

Elsewhere

Greenfires wrote: »

Haven't heard anything about this so far - but I'm guessing that the "conversion" would be little more than a re-jetting exercise if one was needed at all. I know some airlines are using biokerosene blends in some of their planes - and this is produced from used cooking oil, rather than from new stuff.

Andy

Oil-fired Agas don't have jets, they work like an old-fashioned oil lamp or paraffin heater (or candle!) - the fuel soaks up through a wick and burns. Thus Agas will work without electricity in an emergency (unlike our central heating ) which is very useful when you live in the back of beyond as we do, and power cuts are commonplace.

As suggested, I'll ring Aga and see if they have more info.

Greenfires

Simple as that eh? Well I'd be wondering if the addition of some bio element to the fuel would make the blindest bit of difference then if all the fuel has to do is soak up a wick? I'd be interested to hear otherwise though!

Andy

chris1973

I disapprove of biofuel as it is currantly commercially produced as it is contributing to world hunger and distruction of the rainforests

I hope you dont drive a diesel car then, as Biodiesel has been added to diesel routinely in 5% - 8% dilutions for several years now. Many bus companies have also been trialing biofuel in greater percentages as well, so better avoid all bus travel.

And, disconnect yourself from the Electricity supply as well, as some companies are routinely buring biofuel, namely Palm Oil, to generate power back into the grid, and in addition to existing ones, the Government are planning on offering subsidies to encourage the building of more of these too, so hope you haven't ever voted for the parties supporting it

Two new power stations that use a fuel critics say contributes to the destruction of rainforest in south-east Asia may be built in the UK through subsidies added to customer bills.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/nov/02/biofuel-power-stations

I think if your desire to avoid supporting anything which is associated with biofuel is sincere then you are going to find yourself totally cut off from the rest of society and find everyday life one hell of a challenge, because its already in most everyday things whether power or CHP, and thanks to Europe's carbon emissions targets, its going to appear in far more in the coming years.

I use a paraffin fueled space heater, which works out much cheaper than Electricity. However its horrifically more expensive than Kerosene, and can cost upto £1.60 a litre compared to 55p - 60p for 28 second heating oil (Kerosene).

I'm fortunate that I have a local allotment society nearby who sells me paraffin from their pump at 70p a litre, however they would struggle with the 500 litre + quantities you would need to buy. Finding Paraffin is also a nightmare, and it is no where as easily available as home heating oil is, meaning less chance of shopping around and getting a 'better' price.

Caldo is the only national Paraffin distributor who I know of, and their price is currently 90p a litre for Paraffin either from the pump or upto 1000 Litres delivered. Its upto you and your conscience to decide whether the premium between the price for paraffin and the hassle with lack of local suppliers is worth your philosophy on Biofuels.

Either way, I suspect you are already supporting it in some way, whether its travelling on diesel powered public transport, or flicking a light switch......

Elsewhere

Interesting post - thanks. I hadn't actually looked into paraffin availability - but the Aga only uses about 4 litres a day so I wouldn't need huge quantities.

I don't object to biofuel in theory, just the way it's commercially produced. Since I have both an open fire and a woodburner, you could say I use quite a lot of it.

By the way, having worked for many years in nuclear power, I can tell Europe exactly how to reach their carbon emissions targets.

BERBY

There is no set time for Bio to be introduced to Kerosine and it will probably take a good few years for it to be completely implemented.However, your AGAwill be costing £40 per week minimum including servicing when oil is at 60p per litre.Some people are suffering from changes to the oil and are not getting the same heat from it or it is going short service. The writing is on the wall for this type of vapourising burner.
There are electric conversions around that are quoting £25 to £30 pounds per week and seem to operate very well, but advances are being made and it is hoped to get this down to £10 per week.

BERBY

Cornish cooker conversions are now saying less than £7 / week to run your AGA and with cool in summer ability