Annual Preventive Maintenance for Heating Oil Systems
Similar to furnace maintenance, boiler maintenance is accomplished through a professional tune-up. This allows a heating oil service technician to fix minor issues before they become big problems. Regular tune-ups can also help you conserve heating oil over the winter.
Spring and summer are ideal times to get this important maintenance service done. Your Hudson Valley heating oil company’s service schedule fills up rapidly in the fall. That’s when the cooler weather makes everyone start paying attention again to their heating system. Fall storms and early cold snaps cause further complications because sometimes your service provider has to cancel scheduled tune-up appointments so that they can respond to no-heat emergencies.
Five Benefits of Annual Boiler Maintenance
Getting yearly tune-ups on your heating system is the most important thing you can do to ensure your equipment runs as efficiently as possible. This is among the many benefits of getting annual service done.
Improved heating system efficiency, which can lower your annual heating expenses by 5% or more.
A longer life span for your boiler
Better for the planet: equipment that runs at top efficiency will emit fewer emissions.
A tune-up allows your technician to spot minor issues before they become big problems (worn parts, a burner that needs adjustment, etc.) Problems tend to pop up during the worst times—such as when your boiler conks out during single-digit temperatures.
Staying in compliance with your warranty: manufacturers generally require you to get regular HVAC service. If you skip a tune-up and your equipment breaks down, you could end up paying the total cost of repair.
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.
When to Replace Your 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 heating oil company. This may be a better option than annual boiler maintenance.
Here are signs that will help you determine if a replacement system is the best decision.
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.
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 boiler.
Diminished hot water production. If you depend on your boiler to heat your domestic hot water—Summer/Winter Hook-Up Systems—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 service company has expertise in all types and models of heating oil equipment.
Similar to furnace maintenance, boiler maintenance is accomplished through a professional tune-up. This allows a heating oil service technician to fix minor issues before they become big problems. Regular tune-ups can also help you conserve heating oil over the winter.