How To Maintain An Oil Burning Furnace

Oil burning furnaces need maintenance, more than gas or propane burning furnaces need. My own experience says you can go as long as 3 years without servicing it, but that is not advisable because sometimes the failure that results is severe (electrode insulator cracks, and you get the Bessemer Process on the electrode mount, which is to say, it melts). You are far better off cleaning them annually.

Cleaning and servicing them is no big deal, but it is messy since that soot is tarry and stinky.

Turn off power to the system. Remove the oil burner assembly, which will also have the electrodes on it. How you remove this assembly is very dependent on the particular unit; follow the oil line out of the pump to where it goes into the furnace housing and that will give you a good clue. Often (usually) you have to either remove or hinge back the high voltage transformer to get at this assembly.

When you have the burner out, remove the nozzle and replace it. Make sure you replace it with a nozzle with the same spray pattern, though you can vary the gallons per hour (GPH) rating to rate the furnace up or down in capacity.

Spray patterns are described as either solid, semisolid, or hollow - which refers to the distribution of oil in the spray cone, and have a specific angle which defines the angle of the cone of oil that is shot into the furnace. Solid is the most common pattern in my experience and 85 degrees is the most common angle that I have seen.

Wipe the whole assembly down to get the oil and soot off of it. You will need to position and gap the electrodes, but first do a visual inspection of them. If there are visible cracks in the insulators, replace them. If the ends are eroded and pitted, replace them. If in doubt, replace them.
 

There is a special tool you need to position and gap the electrodes; do not try to do this without that tool. It only costs about $4 at a supply house; I repeat DO NOT TRY TO DO IT WITHOUT THE TOOL!!!! You can have a fire, and in the worst possible case, an explosion that wrecks the furnace if you gap them badly enough. Make sure you gap and position the electrodes to conform to the particular spray pattern of the nozzle.

When you have done all this, take a rag and wipe down the air passages leading into the furnace. Wipe off the squirrel cage on the combustion blower. Wipe off the oil pump, the transformer, and the electrodes on the transformer. Also look for an optical flame sensor (some units have them) and wipe it clean.

Reassemble the furnace and fire it off. The flame should start instantly and quietly - no WHOOMP, no delays followed by a WHOOMP. If it is adjusted right, it will just start, immediately and quietly.

You then need to adjust the air to the flame. Open the inspection port so you can see the flame. Turn down the air until the flame becomes dull yellow and smoky, then increase the air until the smoke just vanishes and the flame "flower" is bright yellow. If the flame "flower" becomes too lean, it will be very bright and tinged with blue. At this point, you are sending too much air in and sending too much heat up the flue. When the inspection port is closed, if the flame roars and the furnace kind of "shudders" a bit, back off the air until that stops, then look again in the inspection port to make sure the flame is not smoky.

When all this is done, allow the furnace to reach operating temperature, then adjust the flue damper. The flue damper should swing freely and not catch, either open or close. If you cannot achieve this, replace it. When you have achieved this, adjust the damper so that it is swinging about half open when the furnace is running and at temp. When the furnace stops and the flue cools, the damper should swing shut on its own.

Beyond this, oil the pump motor, oil the blower motor, change the filters, tighten the belts, replace the oil filter, and you are done. You could also test pump pressure but that does not change unless either tampered with or if the pump is failing; I almost always ignore it.

Although this sounds like a lot, when you get good at it you will do it end to end in 1/2 hour. You will also stink of fuel oil when you are done, so wear old clothes.

Oh yes. Must not forget. You WILL spill a certain small amount of fuel oil over the course of this; have some kitty litter (oil dry) available.

Jim Locker holds advanced degrees in physics, has designed and developed computer systems and software for over 30 years, was a landlord for 20 years running up to a couple of hundred properties, and can build or fix just about anything. He presently works as an independent computer systems consultant and works for Just So Software, Inc. whose site is http://www.softwareforlandlords.com

Your Furnace Can Make You and Your Home Toast

How old is your furnace? When was the last time it was inspected by a professional? Did you know the Gas Company will inspect your furnace for free? When was the last time it was cleaned? Has it needed recent repairs? Is your furnace safe to use? If you have answered yes or not to any of the questions read on.

When you have an old furnace you need to give it tender loving care. It can heat up your home and never talk back or it can become a living nightmare in a matter of minutes.

There are many parts to your furnace that can lead to a speedy disaster for you and your family. I strongly advise you to have your furnace inspected now!

My sister’s old furnace was repaired a month ago. The part was replaced and heat once again filled her home. Less than a month later her furnace needed another repair. The repair was made and a few days later the smoke detector alarm started shrieking. Thankfully it was not a fire with flames but it was a vicious, black, thick smoke fire.

The fire would have killed her and all the family members within four minutes. Yes ladies and gentlemen that fast.

Please have your furnace checked by a professional immediately. Call your local Gas Company they will inspect your furnace for free and give you wonderful advice about purchasing a new one if needed.

Make sure you clean your filters. Maybe all your furnace needs is a good cleaning. There are professionals available to assist your every need.

Safety is the word of the day. A furnace is a wonderful comfortable, cozy, warm, snuggly heating system but it can turn deadly on you without warning.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles.

How old is your furnace? When was the last time it was inspected by a professional? Did you know the Gas Company will inspect your furnace for free? When was the last time it was cleaned? Has it needed recent repairs? Is your furnace safe to use? If you have answered yes or not to any of the questions read on.

When you have an old furnace you need to give it tender loving care. It can heat up your home and never talk back or it can become a living nightmare in a matter of minutes.

There are many parts to your furnace that can lead to a speedy disaster for you and your family. I strongly advise you to have your furnace inspected now!

My sister’s old furnace was repaired a month ago. The part was replaced and heat once again filled her home. Less than a month later her furnace needed another repair. The repair was made and a few days later the smoke detector alarm started shrieking. Thankfully it was not a fire with flames but it was a vicious, black, thick smoke fire.

The fire would have killed her and all the family members within four minutes. Yes ladies and gentlemen that fast.

Please have your furnace checked by a professional immediately. Call your local Gas Company they will inspect your furnace for free and give you wonderful advice about purchasing a new one if needed.

Make sure you clean your filters. Maybe all your furnace needs is a good cleaning. There are professionals available to assist your every need.

Safety is the word of the day. A furnace is a wonderful comfortable, cozy, warm, snuggly heating system but it can turn deadly on you without warning.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2007

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Computers Cause Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store

Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Better Health With Ultraviolet Germicidal Protection Air Purifiers During Furnace Season

 

With heating season approaching it's always good to change the air filters and have the furnace cleaned. It's also time to think about your home's health. An unhealthy home can make you sick, and with windows and doors closed all winter it's a good idea to consider adding an air duct mount germicidal protection system. These air purifiers sterilize air and destroy bacteria, viruses, and mold. Very popular with allergy sufferers they are also a gread addition to any home for health reasons. UV is known to destroy many airborne pathogens. Those with allergies or asthma should consider germicidal air purifier protection. Newer homes are built air tight for increased efficiency, but that means the home cannot breathe and air becomes stagnant. If you have a new home you need a UV air purifier, and duct mounted units clean the entire house, not just a room.

Everyone faces many risks, including various pollutants and toxins in their daily environment. Most of us know that outdoor air pollutants such as smog or car exhaust are toxic, but many of us do not realize how dangerous the air inside buildings can be to our health. The EPA states that the air even in the largest and most industrialized cities is less toxic than air found in typical homes. Many people do not know that indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor air pollution and can sometimes be 100 times higher.

Various micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi often become airborne and this is a common cause of illness or allergy. With the threat of biological warfare, the eradication of airborne pathogens becomes even more important.

Ultraviolet germicidal lamps provide a much more powerful and concentrated effect of ultraviolet energy that can be found naturally. Such lamps sanitize air that is passed directly in their path to destroy pathogens that come in contact with the UV rays. Musty, moldy type odors can be eradicated, along with tuberculosis, cold and flu viruses, and other airborne diseases. These air purification systems are particularly beneficial to those suffering from allergies (common allergens are molds, mildew, and fungi). These microbes are destroyed, improving health and breathing conditions.

A popular and low cost source for furnace mounted air duct UV germicidal protection air purifiers is CaluTech. Chosen by the United Nations, US Army, and even Nasa employees to sterilize the air. CaluTech is a registered medical device manufacturer recorded with the FDA.