Maintenance Tips for Your Heating Oil System
Since North Jersey has five times the number of boilers as the national average–South Jersey has 2.5 times as many– there’s a good chance you may be among the many homeowners in the Garden State who rely on a boiler to stay warm during the winter.
Regular maintenance is a vital money-saving investment for your heating oil boiler because it can keep your equipment running at peak efficiency and trouble-free. Four out of five heating system breakdowns are preventable if you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations. You will also be able to enhance heating oil safety even further by taking care of boiler maintenance regularly.
Boiler maintenance is accomplished through a professional tune-up done by your local full-service heating oil company. This allows a licensed heating oil service technician to fix minor issues before they become big problems (worn parts, etc.) The best time to get boiler maintenance done is during the off-season, in the spring or summer.
Regular tune-ups can also help you conserve heating fuel over the winter. That’s because your professional heating oil technician will conduct many tests to make sure your heating system is running at the best possible efficiency. Any adjustments and repairs can be done after this initial evaluation.
Boiler Maintenance: Tasks You Can Do Yourself
If you have an older steam boiler, check the water gauge periodically. Low water levels are a leading cause of boiler shutdowns. Steam boilers should also be flushed when the water in the gauge looks rusty. If you have a modern hot water boiler, the boiler’s automatic filling system should maintain the proper water level. You should also make sure nothing flammable is stored anywhere near your heating system.
When to Replace Your Heating Oil Boiler
Like any piece of equipment, your heating oil boiler will eventually have to be replaced one day. If you think it’s time to replace your old boiler, please contact your full-service heating oil company. If you have an old heating system that’s been prone to repairs lately, a replacement system may be a better option than annual boiler maintenance.
Here are five signs that will help you determine if a replacement system is the better move.
- How old is it? If your boiler’s age is creeping up on 20 years old, you’ll save money on your annual heating costs in the long run by replacing it with a new, more efficient system with advanced technology.
- Do you see any corrosion? Just like your water heater, if you see outward signs of rust on your boiler, its time is limited. A professional inspection may also reveal damage to piping or other boiler components.
- Is it keeping you warm enough? A properly working boiler should keep you comfortable even on the coldest nights, but a boiler’s operating performance diminishes with the passage of time.
- Your heating costs continue to increase. Your boiler’s efficiency slowly degrades the older it gets. Lower efficiency means higher heating costs. Add in a higher number of repairs for an old system and this is another strong sign that you would do well to let go of your old heating oil boiler.
- Diminished hot water production. If you depend on your boiler to heat your domestic hot water and you’re not getting as much hot water as before, this could be a sign of a leaking or corroded coil on the boiler – a precursor to boiler failure.
The latest heating oil boilers are small, smart, and super-efficient and can save you 20% or more on your annual heating costs. There are many different equipment options to fit your budget and your local heating oil company has expertise in all types and models of heating oil equipment. See how much you can save with a new boiler installation.