Not only can waste oil be a cost effective way of heating buildings, but it also provides a better alternative to the risks, costs and liabilities of transporting waste oil.
Regulation of burning waste oil is a provincial responsibility, meaning that each of the three prairie provinces has a different set of rules. But always check with local government for additional municipal restrictions and regulations.
The provincial government recognizes that waste fuel and used oil burning is a safe and cost-effective alternative to recycling. The environment department has established the Alberta Used Oil Management Association to provide depots across the province for residential and commercial parties.
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Burning waste oil is regulated in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. People who want to burn used oil or waste fuel must register with Alberta Environment and get a Personal Identification Number. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in fines or other penalties. Check that your heater or burner complies with all local fire and safety standards.
Saskatchewan Environment has established guidelines on the incineration of used oil and waste fuels. While having a permit isn’t strictly necessary, the ministry may decide to require them to ensure that ambient air quality standards are met.
The design and construction of all waste burners must comply with standards set by CSA or ULC. They must also meet local fire codes and residential standards, which vary by municipality. Direct all questions about these policies to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Client Services Office at 800-567-4224.
Those who wish to use used oil for space heating must adhere to the following criteria:
- Burn at a rate slower than 500,000 BTUs per hour.
- Ensure that waste oil equipment is more than 100 metres from all residences, including secondary residences like cottages.
- Only burn waste oil that they own or procured from other individuals from the maintenance of personal vehicles.
Rural Manitoba produces massive amounts of waste oil each year with four million litres from farming alone. The Manitoba Branch of Environmental Approval is tasked with regulating the burning of waste fuel. The province recognizes that waste fuel burning is a safe and effective method of recycling and allows burning for the purpose of heating. Anyone handling or transporting hazardous waste in Manitoba must have a permit, and all used oil burning machines must comply with provincial and local fire standards.
Scott Walker of EnergyLogic said the company’s burners have been designed in strict compliance with all heater regulations normally applied in Canada and the United States. One main feature of that design is containing the flame so that all fire risk is eliminated.
“Any fires we’ve seen came down to people rigging something up that wasn’t allowed, such as going for three or four years without cleaning the chamber, or putting alcohol in the tank, or people using single-wall pipe for the exhaust going through a wood roof.”
