XT-250 vs. CE-250: Which Waste Oil Heater Is Best for Your Shop?
Shop owners hunting for a mid-size waste oil heater usually circle back to two familiar names: the Lanair XT-250 and the Clean Energy CE-250. They both use waste oil as fuel; however, their design choices and heating performance set them apart, including different airflow, different cabinet shapes, different maintenance setups. Looking at how each one is arranged makes the contrast obvious.
Here’s a comparison of the two so you can figure out which one fits your building and your workflow.
Heating Power & Coverage
The XT-250 pushes out 250,000 BTU, moves air with a strong 4,600 CFM fan, and warms up to 8,500 sq. ft. The CE-250 lands slightly lower at 245,000 BTU, with airflow around 2,700 CFM, and is typically rated for spaces around 7,000 sq. ft.
The numbers are close, but the XT-250 does provide a bit more heating capacity and for a larger square footage.
Size & Fit
The XT-250’s cabinet measures 47" × 46" × 36", which is surprisingly compact for something in this output range. Shops with low ceilings or tight mechanical rooms overhead usually appreciate that smaller footprint.
The CE-250, in contrast, has a long horizontal design. It stretches out considerably more than the XT-250, which means it demands more uninterrupted installation space. In crowded shops or older buildings, that difference alone can steer the decision.
Fuel Flexibility
Shops rarely have a clean and uniform waste stream. The XT-250 handles that reality well, as it’s rated to run oils up to 50-weight, so the heavier stuff that shows up in the tank generally ends up being usable fuel. The CE-250 accepts used oils and petroleum-based fluids too, which covers the standard mix coming out of most service bays.
Either heater will put your waste oil to work. The difference is that the XT-250 openly supports a larger range of oil weights, including the thicker end of the spectrum.
Maintenance & Usability
The XT-250 favors accessibility, with large access doors, simple internals, and shop-friendly service points. The CE-250 takes a different route, focusing on stainless steel internal components, including a stainless steel heat exchanger. That emphasis on corrosion resistance is meant to reduce wear inside the furnace.
Both approaches have value. One keeps things easy to get into; the other leans on materials that hold up over time.
- XT-250: easy, open, minimal fuss
- CE-250: engineered, more electronics, more proprietary parts
Power Requirements
The XT-250 runs on a 120V, 20-amp circuit; the CE-250 steps up to a 30-amp breaker.
If your electrical panel is already loaded, that higher draw can throw a wrench in the install, even if the heater itself isn’t the issue.
Shop the XT-250 From Lanair
Both of these heaters turn waste oil into free heat; but, they do so via different routes. The XT-250 delivers a little more heat, fits into more places, handles heavier oils, and keeps maintenance very simple. The CE-250 heads in another direction. More stainless inside, a longer flue path, more components meant to last.
Your choice comes down to your building and how involved you want to be with the heater. If maximum heat output and easy maintenance are primary considerations, the XT-250 is the one to stick with.
Contact Lanair today to talk through your shop’s layout and see how the XT-250 would fit your space.