With spring on its way, it is a good time to have your oil boiler serviced. Many people think that it doesn’t make much difference but OFTEC, (Oil-Fired TEChnical association) has collected data that demonstrates the importance of having your oil fired boiler serviced regularly. It can save you money in the long run.

An efficient boiler burns less oil to produce the same amount of heat and it will also make it less likely that you will have to spend money at short notice to fix your boiler. OFTEC recommend that boilers are serviced on a yearly basis or as recommended by the manufacturer.

What happens during a Service?

During a typical service the engineer will take a look at the boiler and make sure that it is working correctly and that it is burning oil efficiently. Common issues with an inefficient boiler include:

• Excessive build up of soot – a build up of soot of 3mm can decrease the efficiency of the boiler by 8%.
• Worn oil nozzles – the nozzles are under high pressure and atomise the oil into a vapour so it can be burned. These can be caked with soot and will eventually wear out.
• Glazed photocells – a photocell is a safety feature oil fire boilers. It monitors the flame to make sure that it is still alight. It can become glazed with residue or soot and should be cleaned.
• Ignition electrodes that are caked in soot or worn out.

Oil pipes and the oil tank should also be checked for leaks and the build up of condensation that can occur if the level is low. Oil in the water can also reduce the efficiency of your boiler.

To get your boiler serviced at a competitive price, visit our Boiler Servicing page and relax in the knowledge that your boiler will be serviced by a competent OFTEC registered engineer.

Carbon Monoxide

Another, more important, reason to have your boiler serviced regularly is the production of carbon monoxide. A boiler that hasn’t been serviced in a long time is far more likely to have the flu blocked which can cause carbon monoxide to leak back into the room. It can have deadly consequences. A carbon monoxide alarm is advisable and can alert you to its presence.
In low concentrations of CO in the air can cause symptoms including:

• tiredness
• headaches
• vomiting
• dizziness
• nausea

If you experience any of these when your boiler is running switch the boiler off and contact an OFTEC engineer to take a look. Boilerjuice offer boiler and Aga servicing by OFTEC registered engineers, visit the oil boiler servicing page for more information and pricing in your postcode region.