4 Tips To Keep Your Oil Furnace Running All Winter Long

Does your home use an oil furnace instead of a more modern form of heating? If so, you will want to keep up with a regular maintenance plan to ensure that your system continues functioning properly throughout the long winter to come. Here are four oil furnace maintenance tips that will hopefully help keep you and your family nice and toasty in the months ahead.

Periodically Check for Black Soot

Finding black soot on the outside of your oil furnace is not good. This likely means that the furnace is burning something else besides just the oil. You should also check your chimney while the furnace is in operation. If the smoke is dark black, it means the oil is not being burned completely or efficiently. If you notice any of these problems, reach out to a professional immediately.

Lubricate and Check for Cracks

If you are going to do your own furnace inspections, two areas you will want to check include the fan belt and the blower motor. Ensure that the fan belt does not have any fraying or cracks in it, and make sure the blower motor fittings are properly lubricated to ensure smooth operation.

Give the Oil Burner a Cleaning

The oil burner is one of the most important parts of an oil furnace. If the oil won't burn properly, you're not going to be very warm. Over time, it's possible for the burner nozzle to become clogged, which can prevent the oil from flowing as freely as it should. Cleaning an oil burner can be a pain, however, so it's recommended that you contact an oil burner service for professional help.

Don't Forget About the Air Filter

While it can be easy to focus on the oil burner when thinking about an oil furnace, don't forget that your furnace also has an air filter just like any other HVAC system. If you don't regularly clean or replace the air filter, the entire system will begin to run less efficiently. An air filter should be replaced even more frequently if you have pets in your home.

An oil furnace may require a bit more maintenance than a more modern HVAC system but it's nothing that can't be handled if you know what to do. Get into the habit of regularly checking for black soot, as well as inspecting internal parts like the belt, blower motor and burner nozzle. If you notice any significant problems, reach out to an oil burner service specialist for assistance.