Home Servicing of Oil fired Boilers
  Neil performing a 'smoke test' on a system boiler
  A "Smoke Test" establishes first how much smoke (unburnt fuel) your boiler is producing. Without this first test the flue gas analyser can be damaged.
 

Servicing should be done every year to:

  • keep your boiler efficient
  • reduce environmental emissions
  • use less precious fossil fuel
  • keep your fuel bills low
Servicing your boiler will keep the heart of your heating system in tip-top condition & make it last longer. It's a false economy not to have your boiler serviced.
 

The Main points of a service will:

1. Replace your oil nozzle with one specifically designed for your boiler. Your old nozzle will be left with you for your inspection. Like spark plugs in a car, a nozzle should be replaced regularly even if it appears in good order. It is a high precision part at the heart of your boiler. 80 degree S Nozzle damaged by electrode spark impinging on it's surface
Fuel tank Oil Filter

2. Check your filter:
There are two filters for inspection, cleaning / replacement.

One is at the oil tank & the other is in the fuel pump.

Oil Filter inside fuel pump
A blackened Blast tube with damaged electrodes
3. The Blast Tube is checked along side the electrodes.

This one is particularly sooted & has been running very inefficiently. Properly cleaning a poorly adjusted boiler takes twice as long as one kept in good order. Here the electrodes too have lost their points & the gap needs re-set.
 
4. The Baffles are removed & cleaned of carbon & other deposits along with the combustion chamber. Baffles can become dislodged or can be found to be badly set or warped. Hot gases then exit the chamber before they get the chance to properly liberate their heat to the water in the heat exchanger.
Baffle being removed from combustion chamber Baffle being cleaned Combustion chamber being vacuumed
The Flue gas analysis will give clues if this is the case.
Oil pressure being adjusted 4. The oil Pressure is checked against that specified by the manufacturer. Please keep your boiler manual handy for this information.
Fine screwdriver being used to alter the air supply to the burner
5. The Air intake is checked, cleaned & adjusted with the boiler running to give the best combustion as The Flue Gas Analyser is monitored.
The Flue Gas Analyser gives information about CO (Carbon Monoxide) & CO2 emissions, flue gas temperature & overall efficiency. Each customer receives a print out of the flue gas analysis.
NB. Excess Carbon Monoxide can KILL if leaking into the room. The gas is odourless
Neil Printing from the Flue Gas Analyser
Compare this against last years print out to see how your boiler is doing. You will find this stapled to your OFTEC Servicing form
 
Finally the paper work is completed to keep your guarantees valid & cover your moral & legal obligations with regard to environmental emissions.

Many other general checks are made before the paperwork is signed.

If you are selling your home the completed forms will be particularly important to you & potential buyers.

OFTEC servicing report form being completed
 
Orchard House
Donaldsons Lodge
Cornhill on Tweed
TD12 4XN
Tel: 01890 882162
Mob: 07818 067533
email: Neil Cowens here