Do I Need To Service My Oil Fuelled Boiler?

When do I need to service my oil fuelled boiler? Like all other home appliances, your oil-fired boiler demands service and maintenance. During service and maintenance, every element of the boiler should be inspected and cleaned by a technician. 

Faulty components should be replaced with new ones as needed. It is recommended to service your oil-fired boiler at least once a year to ensure that it does not break down. 

When cleaning the boiler, you can spot parts that need repairs or replacement. You also get a chance to see the state of the combustion chamber. The walls of the combustion chamber should be intact, and the welds should be properly connected and without any leaks. Rust marks made by old steel heat exchange units may signal that the boiler needs to replaced.

Should you notice any damage; plan for a replacement rather than waiting for the heat exchange unit to ultimately fail. If an exchange unit fails, you also lose the water because it gets damaged in the process as well. If left without regular service and maintenance, the boiler starts to deteriorate. A build-up of deposits accrues on the baffles and the inner walls of the boiler during combustion.

This accumulation of deposits results in reduced efficiency. If leftover an extended period, the deposits harden, and it becomes impossible to remove without causing damage to the baffles. If you have to replace baffles with new ones, it will incur an extra cost making it more expensive to repair your oil fired boiler.

Carbon Monoxide Emissions

An oil-fired boiler runs on fossil fuel, and if left inadequately serviced, it may end up generating carbon monoxide fumes. It should, therefore, be checked and serviced regularly to ensure that it does not pose a carbon monoxide emission threat. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is usually hard to detect due to its colourless, tasteless and odourless nature.

Servicing Augments Efficiency

The advantage of regularly servicing an oil fired boiler is that it enables the boiler to keep functioning at its optimal efficiency.

Causes of Reduced Efficiency in an Oil Fired Boiler;

1. Soot from partially burnt fuel and smoke may accumulate within the heat exchange unit. The residue creates an insulation effect that reduces the amount of heat that is absorbed by the water in the heating system. Cleaning the soot from the exchange unit will increase the heating efficiency.

2. Worn out oil nozzles are unable to regulate the amount of oil flowing into the burner correctly. When that happens, soot builds up in the heat exchange unit and reduces the boiler's efficiency. Replacing worn-out oil nozzles should help fix this problem.

3. Photocells covered with deposits, compromise the boiler's efficiency. Photocells are a safety feature, and they are installed to detect when the boiler has ignited. If they do not recognise the burner's flames, they cause the boiler to shut down randomly. This random shutting down of the boiler system can cause electrodes to wear out. To avoid such problems, ensure that the photocells are regularly cleaned as needed so that they can work properly.

4. Faulty electrodes fail to ignite the boiler. You should replace worn out wires to avoid inconveniences: extra costs and inefficiency.