When To Clean An Oil Furnace (What You Need To Know)

Installing and maintaining an oil furnace system in a home is advantageous for numerous reasons. In comparison to a conventional gas furnace, an efficient oil furnace may generate more heat with less fuel. With proper maintenance, furnaces can last up to 30 years and are a safe heating option. The ease of maintenance is a key consideration when choosing household systems like heating.

An oil furnace needs to be cleaned thoroughly between one and three hours. The time it takes to clean the furnace will vary depending on who is doing it, what parts it uses, and how unclean it is right now.

Set up at least one hour to finish this major task because it needs to be done carefully.

Read on to learn more about oil furnace cleaning, including what it entails and whether you should attempt it on your own.

What Procedure Is Followed To Clean An Oil Furnace?

When To Clean An Oil Furnace (What You Need To Know)

Making sure the furnace is off and not receiving fuel is the first step before approaching it for cleaning. To stop the flow of oil, there is typically a bright red light switch panel nearby the burner or somewhere in the basement.

One of the incoming pipes to the furnace unit typically has a fuel shut-off valve as a secondary safety precaution. It is crucial to ensure your safety while cleaning or maintaining the furnace by making sure no fuel is flowing into it.

The combustion chamber is the next region to clean in a furnace. The fuel and air combine in the combustion chamber, which is where the fuel ignites. The end result is the production of heat, vapor, carbon dioxide, and other harmful substances. The corrosion that results from combustion soot can start by coating the chamber walls. A wire brush to remove built-up material and a vacuum to remove all trash are also required.

Checking the flue would come next after replacing the chamber cover. The carbon monoxide and other pollutants exit the unit through the exhaust flue and are carried outside by the chimney of the house. Leaks in the flue could be dangerous, even when the furnace is being cleaned. Because deposits could damage the tubing and cause leaks, the flue needs to stay clean.

The oil and air filters should be changed as a last step. Any silt or clumped oil particles are prevented from blocking the system via oil filters. In order to keep the furnace system pumping clean air into your home, it’s also crucial to change the air filter.

Your family breathes air that has passed through that filter during the winter, so it shouldn’t be overlooked when cleaning your furnace. Vacuuming the heating air vents all over the house is a final process that frequently involves cleaning but doesn’t necessarily include the furnace.

Is This A Job For Pros Only?

You can DIY a lot of maintenance, repair, and cleaning jobs around the house. If you are unfamiliar with the systems and lack the necessary gear, cleaning out a furnace shouldn’t be one of them.

Since this is a crucial component of your home’s safety system, it is generally best to call in a professional to complete the task. You should consider twice before attempting it yourself each time you meddle with devices that use fuel and combustion.

How Frequent Can An Oil Furnace Be Cleaned

All HVAC experts concur that you should clean your furnace and heating systems once a year. The end of winter is the ideal time to accomplish it. This is because you use your furnace the most at that time of year. Your furnace will remain in good condition until the following cold season if you perform the necessary cleaning and maintenance work at this time.

How Much Does An Oil Furnace Cost To Clean?

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional will affect how much it will cost to clean your oil furnace. As we have already stated, a professional is probably better suited for this work. You now have still more reason to hire a contractor for this job as the parts and labor could only cost you between $50 and $300. If you were to do the cleaning yourself, the cost might be higher since you’d have to buy the necessary equipment, filters, and possibly even repair parts.

Can I Clean My Own Furnace?

While you may certainly do it yourself, a pro will probably also be able to handle the smaller aspects. After cleaning, qualified HVAC contractors can check the combustion chamber variables to make sure the system is functioning properly. Additionally, they have the knowledge gained over years of experience to spot even the smallest issues or air leaks, which can be harmful if not addressed properly.

You require some cleaning supplies as well as some replacement parts in order to thoroughly clean your oil furnace. You could remove soot buildup by using a metal bristle brush. Any dirt and leftover particles in the combustion chamber can be removed with the use of a shop vacuum with adequate suction power.

To finish the upkeep, new air and oil filters are required. Additionally, you would probably want to have gloves, safety goggles, and simple tools like screwdrivers with various tips on hand.

Does An Oil Furnace’s Chimney Need To Be Cleaned?

Annual chimney cleaning is advised by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. The majority of individuals want to have this done at the same time as servicing and cleaning their furnace.

Similar to the combustion chamber and perhaps the exhaust flue, an oil furnace’s chimney let-off may eventually begin to develop buildups of carbon soot that may eventually cause issues. The chimney should never approach the stage where it is nearly choked because this could lead to safety issues.

How Frequently Should An Oil Furnace Filter Be Changed?

Your oil filters should be changed more frequently than your regular cleanings. The filters should be changed every one to three months throughout the seasons when you depend heavily on oil heat.

Conclusion

The cleaning and maintenance plan for an oil furnace system is quite straightforward given all the advantages it offers. Once a year, you should clean your oil furnace and the chimney exhaust, and during the winter, you should change your oil filters more frequently. The maintenance is reasonably priced and maintains the heating system operating effectively and securely.