If you live in a climate where it gets cold during the winter months (like the Northeast), then you know how important it is to have a great deal of heating in the home. After all, no one wants to shiver inside their own home!
An oil furnace is one of the best ways homeowners bring heat into their homes. It makes an ideal home heating solution.
There is, however, one drawback to using an oil furnace — it needs to be serviced regularly.
Do you own an oil furnace and are tired of wondering, “How often should an oil furnace be serviced?” If so, we have the answers you need. Keep reading below to learn more!
Keep Your Oil Furnace Running Properly
An oil furnace is a great investment as it can provide the heat your need at home to keep warm. It is cost-effective and helps to offset electric heating bills. Oil furnaces can come in handy, as the cost of heating single-family home accounts for almost 30% of the utility bill.
If you own an oil furnace, you will have certain benefits that come with it. However, you must service your oil furnace regularly so that it does not break down and fail.
Chances are that if you do not properly service your oil furnace, it will break down and you won’t be able to heat your home effectively. Even worse, you will be on the hook for a major purchase.
To avoid any inconveniences, you need to service your oil furnace on an annual basis.
How Often Should an Oil Furnace Be Serviced?
An oil furnace needs to be serviced every year. Ideally, your oil furnace needs to be serviced at least once a year at the start of the winter season. This is the recommendation made by professionals.
To be ready for the winter season, you will need to make sure you service your oil furnace before the season starts. If you happen to live in a very cold climate, then you might need to service the furnace twice a year. If you run your oil furnace during both the fall and spring seasons, do consider servicing it twice a year.
If you have any doubts, it never hurts to clean it more often. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. There is no harm done by doing this.
Keep in mind that an oil furnace produces carbon and sulfur that can leave marks on the chimney. These substances can also leave a mark on the wall area surrounding the furnace. You do not want to have this type of mess around your house, so be sure to keep your furnace clean.
Servicing the Oil Furnace
The servicing of an oil furnace involves several steps. Before you proceed to service your oil furnace, you first need to turn it off. You have to make sure that the whole system is shut down to keep everyone involved safe.
If you are going to service your oil furnace, you will need to check its air filter. If you have a permanent air filter, you will need to use a chemical agent that is made for this purpose. If you have a temporary air filter, you can discard it and install a new one. Consider having a few extra air filters on hand just in case.
Cleaning and changing the oil furnace air filter is an important part of oil furnace servicing. The air filter helps to trap dust, dirt, and other tiny particles that will otherwise enter the air that you breathe.
After finishing with the air filter, you can move on to the oil filter. The oil filter is responsible for stopping small impurities from clogging the oil-burner nozzle.
The chimney is not technically part of the oil furnace. But if you are going to service your oil furnace, consider taking a stab at cleaning it. To clean the soot and CO gas that builds up in the chimney, you can use chimney rods and brushes.
Take the time to check the oil level as well. Also, make sure to check for any leaks. You should look around the furnace for any signs of abnormalities that may require professional attention.
Contacting a Professional
If you are a DIY-type of person and you understand how to properly service an oil furnace, you can probably handle the basic maintenance on your own. However, you should consider calling in a professional to complete the servicing of the oil furnace and ensure everything is done safely and correctly.
There are several parts of the oil furnace that a professional is better suited to service. Among the things that a professional can do is to clean the heat exchanger, inspect the oil burner, perform a safety check, and check the overall condition of the oil furnace.
A professional can help to identify and address any issues before they lead to a breakdown that can cost you big bucks.
Service Your Oil Furnace Today
Before you read this guide, you may have been one of those persons who asked, “How often should an oil furnace be serviced?” Now you know that an oil furnace requires service at least once per year, ideally before the start of the winter season.
An oil furnace will work properly and last longer if it is given maintenance and cleaned as recommended. The last thing you want is to have to experience a cold house during the wintertime.
If you have any questions regarding the servicing of an oil furnace or want to inquire about our services, please visit our contact us page. We’re happy to discuss any concerns you may have!
When Its Time to Call the Professionals
Despite maintenance, and especially with an older ac system, there will be times when you must call your professional heating and air conditioning company.
Here are a few situations that require a pro’s expertise:
AC or Heat Does Not Turn on at All
If the batteries in your thermostat are fresh, and there are no blown fuses or circuits in the house, call your pro immediately. This might be considered an emergency repair, depending on when it happens.
House is Generally Too Hot, or Too Cold
If you have changed your air filter regularly and still have this issue, your problem could be within the ductwork or your temperature sensor on the outside unit.
Odd Noises Coming From the Unit
This may not be a problem unless the noises grow worse, or if there is an accompanying temperature deficiency in the house. Keep track of these noises, and call your pro when they increase.
Bad Airflow
Weak airflow from the vents could be caused by low refrigerant or problems with the thermostat, and need immediate attention.
Leaks
If you see leaks or pools of water around the unit, which might be a sign that the coils on the outside unit have frozen up.
Your System Smells Odd
If there is an unexplained smell coming from the unit, which might be mold or leaking refrigerant.
Old Unit
If your system is 13-15 years old and requiring more and more repair, it is time to consult the pro to discuss a replacement. Make sure your HVAC pro is accessible 24/7, and if possible, find one that doesn’t charge extra for off-hours.
How Often Should AC Units Be Serviced?
The final answer: once or twice a year, depending on how you use your HVAC unit. If you live in a hot climate, the more preventative maintenance, the better. For others in midwestern states, where heat and cooling are both important, ask your pro how often should air conditioning units be serviced, and see if they offer a maintenance contract.
If you live in the southwestern Pennsylvania/northern Delaware area, call us to schedule AC maintenance, heating services, and fuel oil delivery. We can help you extend the life of your HVAC units, so you are comfortable in your home all year long.
