How Does Home Heating Oil Work?

Have you been wondering about your home’s heating oil system? Weather at this time of year can be sunny and warm one day and then overcast and chilly the next. On rainy and chilly days, we know you’re appreciating your home’s oil heating system. At the same, though, a lot of people take for granted everything that’s needed for oil heat to work.

How does home heating oil work? Oil-fired heating systems deliver heat in one of three ways: warm air through vents, hot water through baseboards, or water vapor/steam through radiators.

It’s OK if you haven’t really given that much thought, however, because Young’s Home Comfort technicians have you covered.

Oil Heating Systems in Homes

An oil-fired heating system burns home heating oil in a combustion chamber. The oil is sprayed into the combustion chamber from a nozzle where it’s then ignited by a spark.

As the oil ignites, it starts to heat up the water that surrounds the combustion chamber. This water is part of a sealed system, so it doesn’t actually contact the combustion chamber or the oil.

The combustion process creates hot gases, which travel up a flue pipe to the chimney. The heat from these gases is then transferred to the water, heating it even further as it passes through.

From there, the now-hot water moves through a system of pipes to wherever heat is needed in your home – whether that’s baseboards, radiators, or some other type of heat delivery system.

As the water gives off its heat, it starts to cool down and eventually makes its way back to the combustion chamber to start the whole process over again.

What Are Different Types of Home Heating Oils?

Not all home heating oil is the same. In fact, there are two main types of home heating oil:

– Kerosene

– Gas Oil

Kerosene is a clear liquid derived from petroleum and is the most common type used in homes. Kerosene burns cleaner than Gas Oil, and doesn’t require as much maintenance for your system.

Gas Oil on the other hand, is a heavier and darker type of fuel oil. It lost popularity since it leaves behind soot, and requires more frequent system maintenance.

Importance of Oil Heating Maintenance

Now that you know a little more about how oil heat works in your home, it’s important to understand the role maintenance plays.

Your home heating system is made up of a lot of different parts, all of which need to be cleaned and serviced on a regular basis. This not only includes the combustion chamber and the flue pipe but also the filters, nozzles, and pumps.

Cleaning and servicing these parts ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible and that there’s no build-up of soot or other debris that could cause problems down the line.

It’s also important to have your oil tank serviced regularly. This involves having the tank inspected for any leaks or corrosion and making sure that the fill and vent pipes are in good working order.

Your home’s oil heating system is a complex piece of machinery, but at the end of the day, it’s there to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long (and sometimes even into the spring!)

With a little bit of regular maintenance, you can ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come.

If you have any questions about your home’s oil heating system or need to schedule a service call, don’t hesitate to contact Young’s Home Comfort. We’re always happy to help!