• FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of common questions we at Peak Alternative receive frequently about out waste oil equipment. Click a question for the answer.

1. Q: How much used oil should I generate per year to make my decision about buying a used-oil furnace or boiler practical?
2. Q: Don't used-oil fired appliances (boilers, heaters, evaporators etc.) smoke and pollute the air?
3. Q: Will various viscosities of oil affect the combustion efficiency of my used-oil burner (furnace, boiler, evaporator)?
4. Q: How often will I have to clean the ash from inside my used oil appliance (furnace, boiler, evaporator)?
5. Q: Are the appliances you sell backed with a warranty?
6. Q: When can I expect to get any return on my investment to used-oil burner?
7. Q: "Cradle-to-grave" liability: what is it and how can it affect the way I dispose of used oil?
8. Q: If I am not an owner and just renting, am I still liable?
9. Q: How long am I liable?
10. Q: Is it more convenient to hire a hauler/refiner to transport my used oil?
11. Q: Are the used oil appliances you sell ductable?
12. Q: Do you follow up the sale with parts and service support?
13. Q: What does the EPA suggest?
14. Q: Is it possible to get pollution insurance?

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• How much used oil should I generate per year to make my decision about buying a used-oil furnace or boiler practical?
• The average minimum volume of used oil you must generate annually is between 500-700 gallons. You can also burn #2 fuel oil and other kinds of fuel from the list below if you run short of waste oil. Used-oil appliances we sell burn everything! This is the industry's widest list of fuels which can be used with your burner:

  Vegetable Oils Grade #2 Oil Used Crankcase Oils Transmission & Hydraulic Oils

  90 Weight Gear Box Oil 175 Weight Heat Transfer Oil Mineral Spirits Solvent Machine Shop Cutting Oil

  Besides this: Synthetic oils Commercial & military jet fuels Grades #1, #3, and #4 heating oils

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• Don't used-oil fired appliances (boilers, heaters, evaporators etc.) smoke and pollute the air?
• Absolutely not! Waste oil appliances we sell burn as clean as a #2 fuel oil furnace or better. They are designed to burn #2 fuel oil in addition to used oil. Please see the industry's widest list of fuels above. When set up correctly, heat waves are all you should see coming from the stack. Back to top ^
• Will various viscosities of oil affect the combustion efficiency of my used-oil burner (furnace, boiler, evaporator)?
• No. The state-of-the-art burners we sell are designed to accommodate the widest in the industry range of oil viscosities (see the list of the fuels above), without the usual needed constant adjustments. Back to top ^
• How often will I have to clean the ash from inside my used oil appliance (furnace, boiler, evaporator)?
• The required cleaning intervals on average are approximately 1500 hours of operation. Our design allows easy access for cleaning your appliance. Back to top ^
• Are the appliances you sell backed with a warranty?
• Yes. Call for details please. Back to top ^
• When can I expect to get any return on my investment to used-oil burner?
• Depending on the climate (average annual temperature) of your region, with our heater you'll receive a 12 to 24 month return on your investment for heat. Heat is FREE for you thereafter. These numbers are old but give you an idea. Ask for up to date info when calling please. Back to top ^
• "Cradle-to-grave" liability: what is it and how can it affect the way I dispose of used oil?
• The federal government directly and irrevocably holds you responsible for pollution management, cleanup and disposal control of waste oil on property you own - regardless of who generated or disposed of the oil. The liability is not transferable, hence "cradle-to-grave". Simply put, the liability for used oil exists until it is burned (i.e. recycled). Back to top ^
• If I am not an owner and just renting, am I still liable?
• Yes. Back to top ^
• How long am I liable?
• Forever. Even if you sold your business a year ago. If the spill occurred when you were owner, you are still responsible. Back to top ^
• Is it more convenient to hire a hauler/refiner to transport my used oil?
• This is what waste oil haulers would like you to believe. Remember, your liability extends to the hauling of used oil because of your ownership of the property on which it is generated. If there is a spill during transport, you are 100% responsible for costly cleanup. It may seem to be easy for you to pay a hauler to pick up and dispose of your used oil. But in doing so, you are giving away valuable fuel which could be used for free heat generated by your use oil heater. Back to top ^
• Are the used oil appliances you sell ductable?
• Yes. All of the used-oil appliances we sell can be ducted. Back to top ^
• Do you follow up the sale with parts and service support?
• Yes. For your convenience, when you buy any used-oil appliance from us, you will be provided a toll-free number service hotline for immediate assistance. You will get the help you need! Back to top ^
• What does the EPA suggest?
• Since 1985 the EPA issued a final rule for disposal of used oil by burning on site (40 CFR 266.41). This proposition states there is only one solution to eliminating your liability, burn it! Back to top ^
• Is it possible to get pollution insurance?
• Underwriters will charge astronomical amounts and will write in protection for themselves. Back to top ^