Oil furnaces tend to be a great solution for homes that are located in cold regions. They are the only thing keeping your house warm and cozy while it is freezing outside. As efficient as oil furnaces can be, there is always something you can do to make them more efficient such as scheduling regular maintenance by furnace repair services. So, let’s take a look at some tips that will help make your oil furnace not only more efficient but also effective.
Replace The Thermostat
Most new oil furnaces come with programmable thermostats. This means the thermostat keeps track of the temperature outside and adjusts the temperature inside the house accordingly. However, if you have an older oil burner, it might be using a manual thermostat.
The problem with a manual thermostat is that it lacks the ability to keep track of the outside temperature and won’t be able to adjust the interior temperature accordingly. Plus, it will run the oil furnace only at the manually adjusted temperature. As a result, it could either be producing too much heat or too less. You will have to adjust the temperature each time.
On the other hand, programmable thermostats can detect weather forecasts and the temperature outside to adjust the heating settings. This keeps the utilization of the oil furnace at a minimum and prevents you from getting up and adjusting the temperature manually each time.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Oil burners like many other home appliances need proper maintenance. The best time for you to get your oil furnace serviced is during the off-season. In this case, you will need to hire a professional who will thoroughly inspect the oil furnace for any damages, cracks, or wear and tear and clean it thoroughly.
Even though it will cost you to get the unit maintained by a professional but consider it a valuable investment. You will be able to keep your oil furnace running effortlessly for years to come.
Ensure Proper Insulation
Your oil furnace will only work as well as the insulation of your house. This means that you will need to make sure that your house is weatherproof and that any window or door seals are repaired. The reason is that the hot air produced by the oil furnace will escape, forcing it to work harder than usual to maintain the temperature.
Therefore, if everything else seems to be working normally and you notice that the temperature requirements are not being met, it most probably means that there is a leak somewhere in the house. Then again, you will need to consult a professional as tracking and identifying the leaks can be tricky.
Check The Filters
If you were not aware, your oil burner also comes with filters to keep harmful elements from damaging the unit. Sooner or later, it will become clogged and you will either need to clean or replace it. Every manufacturer recommends cleaning and changing the furnace filter after a certain period of time.
That said, you can either consult a professional or the user’s manual that comes with the oil furnace. If the filters have not been replaced in a while, it would be better to replace them.
Get An Energy Audit
Getting an energy audit is one of the smartest ways to make your oil furnace run more efficiently. You can’t know how much energy you are consuming unless you get an energy audit done. The best thing about energy audits is that many companies offer these services for free. And once the audit is done, you can easily work on certain areas to improve your furnace’s efficiency.
Upgrade The Furnace
Finally, it comes down to upgrading your furnace. If you are using an oil furnace that is near or more than a decade old, it would be better if you opt for a replacement. The reason is that newer oil furnaces are becoming more efficient and effective with each passing day. That said, a decade’s old worth of a furnace won’t do you any good in terms of efficiency. You should think of it as an investment rather than a cost, as you will be saving money in the long run.
Final Word
To sum it up, there is no doubt that oil furnaces are designed to be as efficient as possible. However, it is your responsibility as well to follow the tips mentioned above to improve efficiency on your part. And always make sure that your oil furnace is looked after by oil burner repair services Long Island.