Why use heating oil additives?

Date Published: 11/09/2025

If you rely on oil to keep your home warm, the performance of your heating oil system matters. This is where heating oil additives come in. These treatments can improve fuel quality and reduce the risk of boiler breakdown, especially during colder months. In this blog post, we’ll explore heating oil additives, how they work, and why you should consider using them in the first place.

Key Takeaways

• What are heating oil additives?
• Do heating oil additives work?
• What are the benefits of heating oil additives?
• Heating oil additives FAQs

What are heating oil additives?

Heating oil additives are chemical compounds added to your heating oil to improve its performance and efficiency. They’re designed to fix or prevent common problems that heating oil users might encounter, like sludge build-up and corrosion. There are different heating oil additive blends available that suit modern central heating systems or extend the performance of older ones.

Common types of heating oil additives

• Anti-gelling agents: Prevent heating oil from becoming viscous in cold temperatures, improving its performance year-round.
  
  
• Heating oil stabilisers: Extend fuel shelf life and reduce microbial growth and oxidation.
  
  
• Corrosion inhibitors: Protect the internal surfaces of your oil tank, fuel system, and fuel lines from rust.
  
  
• System cleaners: Break down carbon deposits, soot deposits, and sludge build-up.
  
  
• Lubricating agents: Reduce wear and tear on parts like the burner nozzle and pumps.

Looking to get more out of your heating oil? Add BlueBurn Premium to your next order for a cleaner, more efficient burn, fewer breakdowns, and extra protection for your boiler.

Do heating oil additives work?

Yes, when they’re used appropriately, heating oil additives work well to improve your boiler’s combustion process and keep it in better condition for longer.

They’re especially helpful if you:

• Store heating oil for long periods between uses
• Use a system with fuel line issues or bacterial growth
• Live somewhere cold that causes oil gelling in the winter
• Want to boost your boiler’s efficiency and fuel economy

While heating oil additives can’t improve (or reverse damage caused by) poor-quality oil, they do help reduce harmful build-up and preserve fuel quality between your deliveries.

Using an AGA or range cooker? Switch to BlueBurn Cooker Kerosene for a cleaner, more efficient burn that protects your appliance and keeps your cooker running at its best. Get your quote now!

What are the benefits of heating oil additives?

Here’s what domestic heating oil additives can do for your system:

Improve fuel efficiency and combustion

Cleaner fuel leads to your heating oil burning more efficiently, cleaner, and with fewer emissions which improves combustion and saves energy.

Protect your boiler and fuel system

Over time, carbon deposits, sludge, and soot can clog your boiler’s fuel delivery line, restricting oil flow and damaging components. Heating oil additives help clean and protect your fuel system, reducing the risk of a breakdown and lowering maintenance costs.

Stop oil gelling in cold weather

When temperatures drop, heating oil can thicken and gel, making it harder to flow through your fuel lines. Additives with anti-gelling properties keep it moving freely, which helps your boiler work efficiently throughout colder months.

Extend fuel shelf life in storage

If you don’t use your boiler often (e.g., in a second home or during the summer), untreated heating oil can degrade due to oxidation or bacterial contamination. Stabiliser additives slow this down, keeping your fuel tank in better condition and protecting your fuel quality for much longer.

Lower maintenance and repair costs

Using domestic heating oil additives regularly can prevent common problems that lead to high maintenance costs, like clogged filters or premature part failure due to wear and tear.

Order your BlueBurn Premium additive from Your NRG today

Benefit from a better-performing boiler and fewer repair callouts with our range of BlueBurn Premium additives, available directly from Your NRG at our usual great prices. As an added touch, you can even choose a cherry or vanilla scent to mask that typical oil smell! Want more from your next heating oil order? Get a fast online quote or talk to our team at 01642 686000 for friendly, expert help.

Heating oil additives FAQs

What can you add to kerosene to make it last longer?
To make kerosene last longer, you can add a fuel stabiliser specifically designed for heating oil or kerosene. These additives slow down oxidation, prevent microbial growth, and protect fuel quality during storage. Heating oil additives are ideal for households that don’t use heating oil often and want to avoid problems like degradation.

What’s the best additive for oil tanks?
BlueBurn Premium is one of the best additives you can use for oil tanks. This multi-functional treatment includes a fuel stabiliser, system cleaner, and corrosion inhibitor, all in one easy-to-use solution. It’s specially formulated to preserve fuel quality, reduce harmful build-up, and protect your tank and heating system from long-term damage.