As the leaves change color and the temperatures drop, it’s time to start thinking about keeping your home warm this winter. If you rely on an oil furnace for home heating, you’ll want to make sure your unit is in top-notch condition before cold weather strikes. Here are five simple steps you can take to get your oil furnace ready for winter.

How to Prepare Your Oil Furnace for Winter

1. Shut off the Furnace

For safety, always turn off the electrical power and fuel supply for your home heating system before performing any furnace maintenance. For a residential oil tank, the fuel shutoff valve should be located on the incoming gas pipe or near the tank itself, and the power switch typically features a red switch plate near the burner or at the top of your basement stairs.

2. Check the Combustion Chamber

To prevent corrosion and to keep your oil furnace running safely and efficiently, don’t neglect the combustion chamber. Use a small wire brush and an industrial shop vacuum to remove debris and carbon soot from the chamber, and inspect the chamber’s walls for cracks or holes that could allow harmful gases to enter your home.

3. Inspect the Flue Pipe

Conduct a thorough examination of the flue pipe, especially near the point where it meets the furnace, and repair any holes, cracks, or leaks. Heating oil prices can add up, so to conserve fuel and minimize lost heat, check the barometric damper, which controls the draft inside your furnace, and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Change the Filters

Your furnace’s oil filter prevents impurities from clogging the burner nozzle, while the air filter improves the indoor air quality in your home. To keep oil heating systems running safely and efficiently, oil filters should be replaced at least twice per heating season, and air filters need to be changed every one to three months.

5. Test the Burner Efficiency

To make sure your furnace is operating safely and efficiently, conduct a combustion analysis to measure the gas concentration, exhaust temperature, draft, pressure, and soot. You can use a portable combustion analyzer for this, or if you’re not comfortable testing the unit yourself, a heating oil expert can perform the analysis for you.

 

Based in New London County, CT, Andersen Oil Company provides efficient and affordable home heating services throughout southeast Connecticut. Family-owned and -operated for over 45 years, this company has the skill and experience to handle all your home heating oil delivery, oil furnace maintenance, and boiler replacement needs. Call 860-464-7628 today for 24-hour assistance or visit their website to learn more about their services.