Fueling the Future: Rick Bologna Talks Greener Home Heating on Mission Possible
“We can be the solution to get to net zero!”
When it comes to cleaner, greener energy solutions, Rick Bologna of Westmore Fuel in Greenwich, Connecticut, is ahead of the curve. As a guest on the Mission Possible podcast—produced by the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) and hosted by Shelly Sindland, CEMA’s Communications Director—Bologna dives into the evolution of home heating oil and how his company is helping to lead the way with renewable energy solutions.
Greener Fuel—Today, Not Tomorrow
“We’ve been blending biodiesel with traditional heating oil since 2012,” Bologna explains in the interview. This isn’t just any biodiesel—Westmore Fuel uses a soy-based, vegetable-derived biodiesel made from used cooking oil and soybean byproducts.
“It goes through a scientific process,” he adds. “We don’t want people thinking they can pour old cooking oil into their home heating system—it doesn’t work that way.” The result is a safe, refined fuel that burns cleaner and significantly reduces emissions.
Beyond Biodiesel: A Cleaner Core Fuel
Many homeowners might not realize that it’s not just the biodiesel that’s new and improved. The base heating oil itself has evolved dramatically over the years. “Traditional heating oil is not what it used to be,” Bologna says. “We’ve pretty much removed the sulfur content.”
The industry began lowering sulfur levels in the early ‘90s, initially separating diesel fuel from heating oil. By the mid-2000s through 2012, ultra-low sulfur heating oil became more widely available, and now, that’s the standard in Bologna’s service area.
Why It Matters to Homeowners
This shift toward cleaner fuels isn’t just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions—it also improves the longevity and performance of home heating systems.
“Even before adding biodiesel, using ultra-low sulfur heating oil led to much cleaner appliances,” Bologna explains. “After years of use, you wouldn’t need to clean your boiler with a vacuum and brush the way you used to. You could physically see the difference.”
That means fewer maintenance issues, better efficiency, and lower costs for homeowners—not to mention a smaller carbon footprint.
For Rick, it’s not just about fuel—it’s about people. In the podcast, he shares a story that perfectly captures the heart of Westmore Fuel:
Rooted in Community, Driven by Trust
“A woman recently called about her mother’s furnace. Her mom, who is bedridden, remembered me from when I was a kid. She trusted me to give her honest advice. And not everyone can afford a new system, so I told her, ‘Pay half now, and the rest next spring.’ That’s just how we do things—working with people, not pushing sales.”
With three generations of service behind them, Westmore Fuel is more than just a local energy provider—they’re part of the fabric of the community.
Tune In and Learn More
Want to hear how Westmore Fuel is helping homeowners lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing reliability or affordability? Don’t miss Rick Bologna’s full conversation on Mission Possible. It’s an inspiring look at how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand to build a cleaner energy future.
It’s available on most podcasting platforms and on YouTube.
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