Oil

wmechanic01

Oil

Fred

You need to check with your local Housing/building inspectional services. In my city, in Ohio, a Homeowner can work on any of their residential systems, IN their own home, without being in violation of any laws/codes. However, if it's a rental, it requires a licensed Skill for heating/electrical. Varies by state, by municipality.

STEVEusaPA

Regular maintenance, especially after changing a nozzle, should include, smoke, draft, combustion test.

Grallert

I don't think you can be fined but any unforeseen issues that would require a visit by the insurance company could be a real problem. The other sticking point is you need a licence to purchase certain components from the supply house.

ChrisJ

@Charlie from wmass would be able to answer this.

Charlie from wmass

I suppose it's one of those things if you get caught you'll get in trouble. If you do it wrong and there's damage that's reported to the insurance company you may not be covered. This is not like changing spark plugs in the car you actually need to do a test after it is changed with the combustion analyzer. You want to go spend a couple thousand dollars on a good combustion analyzer? There are parts that need tested each year for wear. Go take a class, get licensed, make money doing it if you want to work on burners.

rbeck

In PA get the tools do the work as long as it is your home or someone else's, does not include piping or wiring.

EBEBRATT-Ed

#1 Most supply houses won't sell to a homeowner or are not supposed to.
#2 Could be an insurance issue if something goes wrong
#3 Safety issue if no combustion testing

That being said I don't believe the state or anyone else can require you to have a license to work on your own equipment.

The license is to protect the publc "public safety" and most trades require a license "if doing work for hire" or "offering your services to the public"

This means you can't work on your grandmothers burner or your neighbor's burner without a license.

But just cause you may be able to doesn't mean it's right. Depends on if you know what your doing or not.


As a side note to something similar. A Massachusetts homeowner is allowed to wire his or hers own house or do there own electrical work. But there still supposed to get a permit & an inspection.

Problem is in some towns and cities the local inspector has decided not to issue homeowners permits, even though state law says that homeowners can do their own work

wmechanic01

Good info thanks to all

Charlie from wmass

MA MGL Chapter 148:
Section 10C. No person shall alter, repair or install any oil burning equipment or any of the appurtenances thereto, except for electrical wiring and connections, as defined by rules and regulations promulgated under the provisions of section ten governing the construction, installation and operation of oil burning equipment and the keeping, storage and use of fuel oil or other inflammable products used in connection therewith, unless he holds a certificate granted by an examiner for the certification of oil burner technicians. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding sentence, the cleaning of an oil burner strainer or nozzle or the cleaning or replacement of a photo cell, in any building or structure by the owner or manager thereof or by any regular employee of such owner or manager in a building or structure owned or managed by his employer, may be done without the holding by such owner, manager or employee of a certificate as an oil burner technician.