Troubleshooting Tips For Your Oil Furnace
When your heater starts to malfunction or breaks down, then it can be a frustrating experience. Anyone who has gone without heat in the middle of the winter knows that it isn't any fun. The good news is that there are ways around a complete breakdown in the middle of the winter. Also, by being able to troubleshoot your home heating oil system, you will be able to have an understanding of what is going on and plan accordingly. However, there are common issues that occur with systems that are improperly maintained. It is important to schedule an annual tune-up on your system before the heating season begins. This will help you avoid a malfunction or a break down of your system. Below, you will find major issues that are associated with systems that are not maintained.
Fumes
Normally, fuel oil systems do not emit an odor. Therefore, when you smell an odor or you can smell oil, than this is an indicator that your system is in need of a professional inspection. Your oil burner can be cracked or misaligned. This is dangerous. When the oil burner starts up, or ignites, the combustion chamber increases its pressure. When it is cracked, the smoke from the oil that is not burned gets redirected into the chamber that contains the fresh air that is distributed into your home. This is also known as the heat exchanger. This air circulates into your home and this is why you are smelling this odor. Sometimes there is a crack or a hole in the heat exchanger. When this happens, you will small soot or oil fumes. Whenever you detect odors like these, be sure to call a professional immediately.
There are also dangerous fumes that you will not be able to detect. Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and very dangerous. CO is a byproduct of combustion which means that whenever fuel is burned, CO is formed. It is formed by all types of appliance including dryers, ovens, grills, and more. When there is proper ventilation, these fumes are directed outside. When you have a cracked heat exchanger, these fumes are not properly directed outside and the contaminated air gets into your home. With oil furnaces, you will see soot or smell an oil odor before the danger of a CO leak occurs in your home. However, it is always better to play it safe and have a CO alarm in your home. Also, even though oil systems are much safer when compared to other systems, you will need to be aware of your system's health and be sure to call immediately when you notice that there is an issue.
Leaks
With fuel oil systems comes heating oil tanks. Tanks are often neglected because homeowners fail to inspect them regularly or schedule a professional inspection of their tank. With neglected tanks comes the possibility of an oil leak. An oil leak is a major and very preventable issue. It can pollute drinking water, devalue your home, contaminate the soil near your home, and give rise to health issues. Furthermore, oil leaks are very expensive to repair. The most common signs of a leak are:
Be sure to regularly inspect your tank. Remove any snow, ice, or insect nests from it. Check the vent and make sure that it is not clogged. Check the pipes, hoses, and valves.
Fire
The probability of a fire occurring from a fuel oil furnace is slim to none. Heating oil is not explosive. If you took a lit match, dropped into your fuel oil tank, it would go out as if you had dropped the lit match into a bucket of water. Before a fire occurs with fuel oil, it has to be heated to 140 degrees and vaporized.
Anytime that you notice something unusual with your fuel oil system, be sure to address it. Whenever you notice or detect soot, an unusual smell, or strange furnace behavior, call a professional. Homeowners who have dismissed any signs have done so regrettably because they had to pay a hefty price later down the road.
Fumes
Normally, fuel oil systems do not emit an odor. Therefore, when you smell an odor or you can smell oil, than this is an indicator that your system is in need of a professional inspection. Your oil burner can be cracked or misaligned. This is dangerous. When the oil burner starts up, or ignites, the combustion chamber increases its pressure. When it is cracked, the smoke from the oil that is not burned gets redirected into the chamber that contains the fresh air that is distributed into your home. This is also known as the heat exchanger. This air circulates into your home and this is why you are smelling this odor. Sometimes there is a crack or a hole in the heat exchanger. When this happens, you will small soot or oil fumes. Whenever you detect odors like these, be sure to call a professional immediately.
There are also dangerous fumes that you will not be able to detect. Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and very dangerous. CO is a byproduct of combustion which means that whenever fuel is burned, CO is formed. It is formed by all types of appliance including dryers, ovens, grills, and more. When there is proper ventilation, these fumes are directed outside. When you have a cracked heat exchanger, these fumes are not properly directed outside and the contaminated air gets into your home. With oil furnaces, you will see soot or smell an oil odor before the danger of a CO leak occurs in your home. However, it is always better to play it safe and have a CO alarm in your home. Also, even though oil systems are much safer when compared to other systems, you will need to be aware of your system's health and be sure to call immediately when you notice that there is an issue.
Leaks
With fuel oil systems comes heating oil tanks. Tanks are often neglected because homeowners fail to inspect them regularly or schedule a professional inspection of their tank. With neglected tanks comes the possibility of an oil leak. An oil leak is a major and very preventable issue. It can pollute drinking water, devalue your home, contaminate the soil near your home, and give rise to health issues. Furthermore, oil leaks are very expensive to repair. The most common signs of a leak are:
- You are consuming more oil and do not have a logical explanation for it.
- Your furnace is performing differently than it should. For example, your furnace is shutting off.
- The vegetation around your tank is dying or sick (outdoor tanks).
- You can smell oil in places that are not located near your oil burner.
- Your water tastes and smells funny.
- You can see an "oily sheen" in your basement, storm drains, and other places around your home.
- For above ground tanks, check the oil-water separator. This should have a small amount of oil due to condensation. However, if you notice a larger than normal amount of water, it could be attributed to a leak.
- Be sure to look for rust on your tank. Make sure to include the bottom of the tank when inspecting your tank. Oil tanks usually begin to rust on the inside and the rust works its way out. Therefore, when you see rust or any other signs of aging, then be sure to replace your tank. Tanks last 15 years or so depending on the material and the tank itself.
Be sure to regularly inspect your tank. Remove any snow, ice, or insect nests from it. Check the vent and make sure that it is not clogged. Check the pipes, hoses, and valves.
Fire
The probability of a fire occurring from a fuel oil furnace is slim to none. Heating oil is not explosive. If you took a lit match, dropped into your fuel oil tank, it would go out as if you had dropped the lit match into a bucket of water. Before a fire occurs with fuel oil, it has to be heated to 140 degrees and vaporized.
Anytime that you notice something unusual with your fuel oil system, be sure to address it. Whenever you notice or detect soot, an unusual smell, or strange furnace behavior, call a professional. Homeowners who have dismissed any signs have done so regrettably because they had to pay a hefty price later down the road.