How Often Should a Used Oil Furnace Be Serviced?
If you live in an arid climate, like in Colorado or Wyoming, then you know just how important it is to keep your business warm throughout the frigid winter months. One way to do this is to use a waste oil furnace, if your business generates oil byproducts. It will drastically reduce your heating costs and it will eliminate your cradle-to-grave liability too!
However, there is one downside to owning a used oil furnace — it requires regular maintenance. This includes cleaning out filters, checking the thermostat, inspecting the blower motor, looking for damage, etc.
We understand that servicing an oil furnace is something that many people don’t want to think about. But, waste oil furnace service is a must to keep your system in tip-top shape. In general, it’s a good idea to book your service appointment at least once every year. If the furnace is used frequently, then it’s a good idea to service it every six months.
Contact a Professional for Waste Oil Furnace Service
If you know how to service an oil furnace yourself, there are a few things you should keep in mind before doing it yourself. First off, you don’t want to risk damaging your oil furnace because you might need to spend hundreds of dollars to repair or replace it.
In most cases, you should have a professional take care of your annual service for you. They’re the experts, so they’ll be able to make sure the system is running at peak efficiency. At the very least, have your Clean Burn technician evaluate the following three components of the used oil furnace before attempting to repair it yourself.
1. Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is where the hot oil products circulate through the system. You can replace the entire unit, but this is expensive and usually unnecessary. Typically, during your annual service, your technician will focus on cleaning out the heat exchanger.
To do this, they will drain the tank of oil and remove the filter. From there, they’ll use a wire brush to scrub away the debris, wash down the inside of the heat exchanger with water, and then rinse it thoroughly. Once the heat exchanger is cleaned, the tank can be refilled with new used oil.
Any necessary repairs must be handled by your Clean Burn technician.
2. Oil Burner
The oil burner component of the used oil furnace is easily accessible. Simply lift up the cover plate and look for the flame sensor. If you see smoke coming from the combustion chamber, you should call a professional immediately. The oil burner component can only be repaired by a Clean Burn technician, so don’t try to handle that yourself.
3. Safety Check
One of the key steps of any used oil furnace service is a safety inspection of the furnace before starting repairs. Make sure that the gas valve is turned off, that the pilot light is lit, and that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature. In addition, it’s important to check the oil level and the air filters too because they protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
A professional can help to identify and address any issues before they lead to a breakdown that can cost you big bucks.
Service Your Waste Oil Furnace Today
A waste oil furnace can be a very important part of the function of your business. Without it, you wouldn't be able to effectively and affordably heat your space throughout the colder months. However, there are many things that can go wrong with a used oil furnace. Some business owners don't realize how important regular maintenance is until it's too late. You could end up paying thousands of dollars in repairs because you didn't do your homework. Don't let this happen to you!
Contact Interstate to schedule your waste oil furnace service today!