If you use biodiesel to heat your home, does it smell like french fries? or no smell?

Question

If you use biodiesel to heat your home, does it smell like french fries? or no smell?

Answer 1

Well, obviously, the answer to this questions depends on many factors.  You asked about biodiesel smelling like french fries.  I'm not sure why you would think this unless you were talking about biodiesel made from waste cooking oil (specifically french fry oil), and also assuming there would be exhaust in your home.

First of all, biodiesel is made from many sources, not just waste cooking oil.  And while this is a valid source, waste cooking oil should be refined before use to remove impurities.  Without getting too technical, a part of the refining process is "washing" the oil.  This should remove most, if not all residual odor.

Which brings us to your chosen method of heating and why exhaust would be in your home.  I would suggest to you that exhaust from burning anything being emitted into your home is dangerous to your health, both from inhaled fumes and from CO2 poisoning.  

The usual method of heating a home with fuel is through a "forced air" furnace (rather than a blast furnace, or some other type).  Assuming this is your source of heat, the heat is created by burning gas, oil or propane inside the furnace. Hot gases that are created pass through metal tubing called a heat exchanger and then out of your home through a vent pipe. A blower or fan then moves air in your home's duct system over the outside of the heat exchanger, which warms the air. The warm air is then circulated through your home.

No exhaust is emitted into your home.  It is advised that you have a CO2 detector installed near any fuel burning furnace specifically to detect such a thing and prevent it from happening.

Answer 2

How novel.  You could attract customers with the interesting smells - just make your sign on your car big.