Refuse incinerators were once touted as the solution to both the destruction of trash and the heating of large residential and commercial buildings. However, over the last couple of decades, it has been determined that incineration produces an excess amount of toxic fumes and substances that cannot be incinerated completely. The remains of the trash incineration still have to be disposed of, which could jeopardize the environment. There are a couple of options to this problem that are more environmentally friendly but still produce the intense heat needed to heat large buildings.

Boilers

Although boilers are notoriously temperamental, they do provide a lot of continuous heat for large buildings. What is more, they control the amount of humidity in the air, which is a necessity in the driest and coldest of Canadian winters. Because the source of their heat is boiled water, they produce no toxic fumes or waste, making them an excellent Earth-friendly alternative to your current incinerator furnace.

Waste Oil Furnaces

The latest, and possibly the best, environmentally friendly option for heating is a waste oil furnace. These furnaces are designed to run on waste oil, from automotive waste oil to commercial cooking oil. In addition to this feature, you do not have to use just one type of waste oil all the time. You can use multiple types of waste oil in the same furnace and never worry about the furnace getting stuck or sticky. There are no residual toxins, fumes or waste. The used oil is converted into extremely hot and very clean heat for your entire building. You can even encourage residents or employees to bring their waste oil to the furnace and help keep it going all winter.

Replacing Your Building's Incinerator 

If you choose one of the above options, an HVAC contractor can remove your building's incinerator furnace and all traces of potentially harmful and toxic substances. Then he or she will install your new boiler or waste oil furnace. You will have to notify everyone in the building that trash will no longer be incinerated in order to create heat and that trash must be placed in dumpsters for collection days instead. If you also choose to install a waste oil furnace, then you can notify everyone that the new furnace will require waste oil of all kinds. An orientation on the proper use of a waste oil furnace should be a requirement such that everyone knows how to use the waste oil port properly.

Contact a local furnace contractor, like Canuck Mechanical Ltd, with your questions.