Know when your oil furnace needs maintenance work
Here at Interstate Energy, we sell Clean Burn waste oil furnaces, which need to be cleaned approximately every 1,000 hours. Depending on how often you run your furnace and how hard it has to work, your oil furnace will probably need "regular maintenance" work every 1 - 3 months. Fortunately, that is maintenance work you can conduct on your own.
If you don't have a Clean Burn furnace, we highly recommend switching to one. Other models often require more frequent maintenance work and don't operate as efficiently even when they're in tip-top shape.
You’ll need to keep a watchful eye on your furnace to check for any serious signs it needs more comprehensive maintenance work. If there is any black soot surrounding your oil furnace, that's a clear sign it needs maintenance. Soot outside of your heater often means that your unit is burning more than oil.
Black smoke is another sign that your waste oil is not being burned completely. And if it's making any unusual noises (such as rattling or vibrating), that's another sign it needs work.
Black soot, black smoke, and unusual sounds are all signs it's time to call in the professionals for your furnace’s biannual maintenance.
Conducting regular maintenance on your own
If your waste oil furnace isn't having any major issues (black soot, black smoke, or odd sounds), you'll still need to conduct regular maintenance checks. These are checks you can perform on your own and they’re not as complex as you might initially think.
Here are some basic maintenance tasks to add to your checklist:
- Perform a visual inspection. Look for any obvious signs of physical damage including rust, wear, and dents. Those points of physical damage will likely need the attention of Clean Burn technicians.
- Clean the furnace and ducting. To do this, you'll want to turn off both the furnace and gas line. Dust the unit's exterior, wipe away any grime or dirt, and remove soot or any other loose materials from the combustion chamber. Vacuum out any ash in the chamber.
- Change the air filter. Instructions on how to do this are always included in the operating manual. You will need to change your air filter at least once a year.
The importance of scheduling annual or biannual maintenance check-ups
While the monthly regular maintenance checks can be done on your own, it is important to have a professional technician look at your furnace at least once, if not twice, a year. They will ensure everything is working properly and fix small problems before they become big, costly issues.
Learn more about our oil furnace maintenance services
If you still have questions about waste oil furnace maintenance, reach out to us today at Interstate Energy. Our experienced technicians are happy to help answer any questions you may have and determine whether or not your furnace is in need of a professional inspection.
Contact us today to get started.