Southold Free Library Makes Successful Switch to Biofuels

If the price at the pump or your fuel oil bill has you down, or you want to promote renewable energy sources, it may be time to consider the switch to biofuels.

In February John Romanelli, president of , approached director Caroline MacArthur about switching the library’s oil burner to one that burns 100 percent biofuels. Romanelli gave the library the burner free of charge. A few months later, MacArthur said she is more than happy with the switch.

“I’d be pleased even if we had paid for it,” she said.

Although MacArthur was concerned with having to turn up the heat, she said there is no discernible difference between the biofuel and fossil fuel, except the biofuel is 100 percent renewable energy. MacArthur said Romanelli had promised the new fuel would not be susceptible to price fluctuations like oil — and he was correct. She said some of her patrons initially joked about smelling vegetable oil, but she said there is no odor at all.

“We’re very happy. The building’s heat had not changed,” MacArthur said.

Robert Ghosio, Burt’s Reliable general manager, said the company was looking for a good opportunity to do something for the community and show the conversion to biodiesel could be done in a commercial building.

For now, the retail price of biofuel is similar to traditional oil, but with the instability of the petroleum market, Ghosio said he foresees a time when biofuels could cost than petrol-based fuels.

Burt’s Reliable has been carrying biofuel since 1996, using the Natural Heating Oil brand, and Ghosio said the company enjoys supporting a home-grown industry. Biodiesel can be made from soybeans, animal fats and vegetable oils and each product is made to certain cleanliness specifications.

“If you look at the sample I have of B100, they are clear. It’s beautiful to see,” he said.

If you are interested in making the change, Ghosio said, New York State is offering a tax credit of up to 20 percent. If you use a B5 blend (5 percent biofuel/95 percent traditional), that is .05 a gallon savings and .20 a gallon for B20 (20 percent biofuels/80 percent traditional). B100 users will see a .20 per gallon savings.

Summertime is a great time to make the change, according to Ghosio. He estimates the change takes about two hours. The units are a little more expensive than the conventional units are:  Ghosio said a traditional oil burner runs about $650 to $750 and the B100 units cost approximately $750 to $1,000.

“If it’s an investment you have to make anyway, I would certainly spend the extra $250 and make the move to biodiesel,” Ghosio said.