Your heating oil system keeps you and your family warm in the time of cold weather. You also get warmth in the workplace by the same system. You know better that a machine can give you good service when you take good care of it. Thus, the fuel furnace and/or boiler of your home and workplace needs proper attention. This will make them work effectively.
There are various benefits of having regular maintenance of your fuel furnace. This will reduce the excessive consumption of energy, have efficient use of fuel burning, and will decrease any chances of system failure.
This article will delve into the facts that will identify why it matters to have regular maintenance of the heating oil system of your home. This will also discuss the facts that regular upkeep can also result in environment-friendliness and make cleaner combustion of fuel.
Work Process Of A Heating Oil System
Let’s have a look first at what is the basic work process of a heating oil mechanism in your home. A system of heating works by pumping the fuel from inside of a tank to the surface of the boiler or the furnace. In the burner, the fuel ignites and generates the heat.
Delivery of oil: Heating oil is delivered by different distributors and it is delivered by different forms of special trucks which have pumps and tankers.
Oil pumping: After the delivery the oil is then pumped from the tank with a pressure of the nozzle. This pressure atomizes the oil. The oil then goes to be mixed with the substances of oxygen.
Oil Ignition: The different forms of heating oil can ignite as it touches their flash points. The flash point is connected to the level of temperature where the hydrocarbons of the oil get vaporised and quickly catch fire.
Production of heat: After the process of ignition the heating oil system works for producing the heat. This is used for heating different surfaces of residential and commercial buildings. Oil can also produce heat inside a central heating system.
Heat distribution by furnace or boiler: In the furnace, the heat is distributed by the vents and ducts. Whereas the boilers heat the water and generate vapour. The vapour then is carried by the pipes. It is carried to the radiators.
Having control of the thermostat: In the process of maintenance of heating oil system and its other activities the thermostat can be controlled by pressing the system to ON or OFF. This can adjust the actual level of temperature of the thermostat.
Why Need Regular System Maintenance?
Regular maintenance of heating oil system is needed to identify what the issues are on a priority basis and solve them. This is also needed for the system to work in the long run.
Getting an Increase in the downtime: If you have a regular upkeep of the fuel tank, it can reduce the downtime. It can prevent any kind of problem before it occurs. This will also cheque and find if there is any chance of system failure.
Having efficiency in the Software and hardware: The heating oil system should be checked by both of its software and hardware. They should be checked for the ratings of AFUE or annual fuel utilisation efficiency. If the AFUE rating is 90% it means the fuel is 90% converted to heat.
Getting improvement in safety: To improve safe operations you need to have proper maintenance of heating oil system. For this work on insulating the valves, checking the system with an expert, avoiding any blockage in the flow of air, keeping the flammable items away, and keeping the boiler within the warranty.
Checking the faults and mistakes: Also, cheque and rectify if the heating oil system has any faults. They can be short cycling, dirt in the air filters, clogged ducts, or any unwanted noise or smell in the boiler.
Savings for cost: The system of heating oil should be maintained well and this will lead to cost savings for the users. For this, you can use duct dampers and smart thermostats.
Having effective security: You should add a carbon monoxide alarm and have correct labeling for the HVAC components to have an effective level of security.
Being active for the long run: You can have a heating system that will work for the long run by using heat pumps, oil-filled radiators, and thermal energy storage.
Reducing the risk of fuel run-outs: Having proper maintenance of heating oil system can reduce the unexpected run-outs of the fuel. You also should assess if you can use an alternative source of fuel like bio-fuel and HVO.
Having control of pollution: If you conduct regular upkeep of the system this will also control pollution by heating oil. Like for example by regular upkeep you can control the release of water and air pollutants. You can also practice fuel recycling.
Boiler Maintenance At Home
You can handle some sort of small maintenance of heating oil system at your home by yourself. You can have a regular verification for any leaks, corrosion, or sludge development in the system. Also verify if there are any other unusual activities. Let’s find out what else you can do in its upkeep.
Arranging annual service for the boiler: You can arrange an annual servicing for the boiler you have. Here you can verify each and every part of the boiler. You can cheque controls, keep a log, and arrange a professional verification.
Bleed the radiators: Work on bleeding the radiators as this will remove the air that is trapped. This will help the heating oil system to run more smoothly.
Testing the efficiency of the boiler: Verify the work efficiency of the boiler. This is the best part for the maintenance of heating oil system. For this, you need to use the output and input method and the method of balancing the heat. You can also work with stack analysis.
Checking if there are any leaks: Find whether the heating oil system has any leaks. For this work on pressure tests and tests of thermal imaging. You can also have an assessment of dripping.
Cheque whether the flame is blue: If the system of heating oil releases the yellow flame it will mean it is not working well. However, the blue flame gives the signs that it is working properly.
Cheque the drains of the floor: You need to cheque the drainage system of the floor and should work with adhesives for water finding.
When To Get An OFTEC Registered Engineer
If anything is disturbing you too much you need to talk to an OFTEC-registered engineer for the maintenance of heating oil system. They will also work for the annual servicing of the boiler.
If the boiler has too many leaks: If the boiler of fuel is having excessive leaks you should turn it OFF. This will reduce any further damage and danger. In such a situation you should immediately call an OFTEC registered engineer.
Has odd noises: You need to call an engineer if the furnace has very odd noises and you are not able to reduce these noises by any preventive steps.
Need to check the pressure of the gas: You can call an engineer to find the level of pressure of the fuel. They can work on checking if there are any unwanted leaks in the system. They can also calculate the rate of the leaks.
Need a replacement for any damaged part: When you need a change of any part of the heating oil system, you can call an engineer. They will work on changing the flame sensors, air filters, and the thermostat.
Need a clean-up of the inner part of the heating system: The OFTEC-certified engineers work to clean the nozzle of the oil boiler, the fuel tank, and other inner parts of the mechanism of heating oil.
Boiler Maintenance And New Technologies
You can also try and use some of the new and smart boilers and electronic heating oil systems in the current times. There are various other methods of boiler upkeep that will be helpful to verify the temperature outside the home and adjust the system accordingly.
HVAC energy analysis software: This is a category of software that is helpful in the design, analysis, and maintenance of heating oil system for the optimal heating and ventilation process.
HVAC zoning systems: You can also work with the HVAC zoning system. It divides the home into different zones while heating. It works for both heating and cooling.
Ductless HVAC systems: These systems also work for heating and cooling. They are also known as mini-split systems. They are used in the refrigerant lines for distributing cooling and heating.
Use of Heat pumps: The best kind of heating oil use can be done by heat pumps. They are basically the electric mechanisms that can be used for transferring heat from ground, air, and water. Using the heat pumps can be more energy efficient.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, it can be said that if you want to have efficiency, and safety in the use of a heating oil system for a long run you have to have regular maintenance of this.
You need to verify each and every part of the system within a particular time frame and should arrange a yearly servicing.
Always cheque if there are any odd activities inside and outside of the tank. Keep the system OFF when not in use. You can also try different modern systems of heating like those of the heat pumps.
