The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that nearly 22 percent all households in the northeast use heating oil as their primary heating fuel and spend an average of $1,400 for fuel during the winter months. What if you could reduce your energy consumption and save on your heating bills this year? It's possible when your heating oil furnace or boiler is at peak efficiency, which requires periodic preventative heating system maintenance by a trained technician.

Benefits of a furnace or boiler tune-up.

Every home heating system accumulates dust, dirt, and other particulates that affect performance and efficiency. This can cause your utility bills to increase. A professional heating oil furnace or boiler tune-up and cleaning eliminates the grime and ensures all components are in good working order so when it's time to turn up the thermostat on the first chilly morning of fall, you have heat. The main benefits of a professional heating system tune-up are:

• Improved system efficiency, which means better heating performance and lower heating costs
• Reduced risk of heating system failure — you don't want to be without heat when the temperature is sub-zero
• Minimized possibility of needing major repair; emergency service always costs more than preventative maintenance

When is the best time to schedule a furnace or boiler tune-up?

The best time to schedule a heating system tune-up is between the months of April and August. While this is the time of year when everyone typically enjoys the increasingly warm temperatures and fun of summer, it's also the perfect time to think about preventative heating system maintenance.

It's tempting to put off scheduling this important appointment; however, there are quite a few advantages of scheduling your heating system tune-up in the spring and summer months rather than the fall.

• Convenience and availability – During the fall, everyone is rushing to get their heating system inspected. It can be difficult to book your appointment for the time and date you need. During the spring and summer, there is more flexibility with appointment scheduling.


• Time for repairs – Scheduling a boiler or furnace tune-up before fall allows additional time for the technician to perform a thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs before the temperatures turn chilly.


• Early warning – A heating oil equipment technician can determine if there are major issues with your system. It's better to discover problems early and have time to shop for and have a new system installed before winter so your family isn't left without heat on the chilliest day of the year. If you do need a new furnace or boiler, consider a high-efficiency model to help save on annual energy costs.

What does a professional heating system tune-up include?

A professional tune-up for your furnace or boiler includes multiple steps and actions that are best left to a trained technician. A trained technician performs tune-ups regularly, understands and practices safety protocols and has the knowledge and ability to recognize problems before they cause a system failure. These are some of the tasks that a professional should complete:

• Clean the heating unit of dirt, dust, and grime that affects performance
• Check the thermostat settings to ensure they are both energy-efficient and comfortable for your home
• Reset the system's specifications, as needed, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and checks all safety components including the limit controls
• Check all electrical connections, motors, and controls for safety and proper function
• Inspects the oil connections, as well as pressure and burner combustion
• Check vents, drafts, and flues for leaks. (Any ductwork leak can affect your heating efficiency, creating a loss of about 20 percent or more.)
• Perform a safety inspection of the heat exchanger. (The heat exchanger needs to be professionally inspected to ensure its physical integrity is not compromised, which can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.)
• Check the hydronic system for leaks. A small water leak may go unnoticed for a while but eventually causes a loss of pressure in the system, affecting efficiency.
• Test for airflow. Restricted airflow affects efficiency and can lead to increased energy costs.
• Check the condensate drain (if the system also includes central air or features a condensing heat system).

A comprehensive boiler or furnace tune-up and inspection by a professional is essential for any age of heating system — older models as well as new. Keep all tune-up records as proof of the inspection and service. These records may be needed if you have to file a warranty claim.

Call 800.645.4328 and schedule your boiler or furnace tune-up at Petro Home Services today!

How to maintain your heating system between inspections.

There are simple things you can do to help maintain your heating system in between annual tune-ups and inspections. If your home is heated with a warm air furnace, one of the easiest things a homeowner can do to help maintain equipment efficiency is to regularly change or clean the unit's air filter. If using a disposable type of fiberglass air filter, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) suggests replacing the filter every three months. Your home's furnace filter may need more frequent replacement if:

• The heating system runs six months or longer
• There are pets in the home, a large family, or anyone suffering from allergies or respiratory conditions
• Smoking is allowed in the home
• Your area suffers wildfires, as ash can make its way indoors and clog the filter
• The home has a fireplace or wood stove that's used frequently
• The home is on a working farm or ranch where dust and dirt regularly are disturbed and can enter the home, causing air filter clogs. Same is true if there's a lot of construction happening near your home.

Always change an air filter if it's damaged or damp. A damp air filter can lead to mold growth. Any mold that grows on the filter can send spores through the system and into the air that you and your family breathe, which may trigger allergies and respiratory issues.

Keep combustibles and anything flammable away from the heating system. For safety, never store gas cans, weed whackers, and other similar items next to the furnace or boiler. At least twice a year dust the outside of the heating system to help maintain its efficiency. (Do it when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time and smoke detector batteries.)

Don't forget to turn the thermostat to heating mode when the temperatures begin to drop. The heat won't turn on when you need it if the thermostat is still set above the average room temperature or is still in air conditioning mode. Test the heating system in early September to ensure it turns on properly. This also allows for enough time to schedule a service call if something is wrong.

Safety tip: Remember carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas with the potential to poison humans and pets if it builds up indoors. Carbon monoxide can be deadly. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide or CO detector in your home near your bedroom. You should also consider installing additional detectors if you have a multi-level home. CO detectors should be tested monthly.

Preventative maintenance that includes an annual boiler or furnace tune-up performed by a trained technician is key to keeping your heating oil equipment running efficiently and your overall energy costs low.

Make sure your current furnace or boiler is operating efficiently by scheduling a tune-up. Call 800.645.4328 for the furnace and boiler experts at Petro Home Services today!