How an Oil Burner Tune-Up Saves You Money
How long has it been since you serviced your oil burner? If it’s been longer than a year, you may be throwing money away every time your system turns on. Yearly tune-ups can help lower your utility bills, increase efficiency and even avoid system malfunctions.
Why Tune-Ups Are Important
Your oil burner is made up of a complex series of parts. If a single part fails or stops working efficiently, the entire burner can be affected. Malfunctioning parts can definitely cause performance issues, but a layer of grime or dirt may also increase the need for repairs or decrease efficiency. Although you can tackle boiler maintenance yourself, the job may quickly test your patience and skills if you’re not thoroughly familiar with the parts and functions of your boiler or burner. In most cases, it makes more sense to schedule a tune-up with the trained technicians at your oil company.
Tuning up your system offers several benefits, including:
- Improved Efficiency: Dirty or worn-out parts can cause your boiler to burn more oil than it should, while a blocked air filter can affect the amount of heat your radiators or registers generate. A tune-up offers a simple, cost-effective way to improve efficiency and ensure that your system is in good condition.
- Lower Costs: Efficient systems use less oil, which decreases your heating costs. After all, there’s no point in shopping for the best price for heating oil if your system doesn’t run efficiently. Preventive maintenance also helps you avoid repairs that can be quite costly, particularly if the problem requires an after-hours visit from a heating technician.
- Problem Identification: During your tune-up, the technician will look for signs of wear and recommend replacement of parts that are broken or likely to wear out in the near future. Replacing worn parts promptly will decrease the likelihood that you’ll return to a cold house in the middle of the winter. Although you’ll be charged for the cost of parts, replacing parts is usually much cheaper than dealing with a major repair or even boiler replacement.
What Tune-Ups Include
The services required to service your boiler may vary depending on the model, but can include:
- Replacement of the oil filter, burner nozzle and oil pump strainer
- A thorough cleaning to remove dirt and grime
- An airflow test and blower cleaning
- A test to make sure your thermostat is operating normally
- A safety inspection to ensure that the heat exchanger is in good condition (If there’s a problem with the exchanger, dangerous carbon monoxide can build up in your home.)
- Inspection of the oil and electrical connections
- A leak check to make sure that your system doesn’t have any leaks that can affect pressure and efficiency
- A combustion efficiency test and test of the motor
- Inspection and cleaning of your vent and flue
- A pressure-relief valve test and an examination of the pressure tank
- Removal of sediments from the boiler and float chamber
The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation recommends that you make sure that the burner is functioning normally before the technician leaves in the event that a part wasn’t reattached or a valve was accidentally closed.
If your home is one of the 5.7 million U.S. households heated by oil, a yearly tune-up is a must. Whether your burner is brand new or as old as your home, a little maintenance can help you avoid big repair bills and ensure that your system operates efficiently no matter how low the temperature drops.