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Just moved out east. Oil help

carlfrancis
carlfrancis Member Posts: 1
I lived in the midwest where oil wasnt really popular. Now that im out east potential employers are asking me about why im lacking knowledge in oil heating. So my question is , are there any free online oil education outlets from any manufacturers on oil burners or heating. Please advise. Thank you. Im in the Boston area if that matters.

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Beckett has a training center in Fiskdale, in the central part of MA. Go here:

    https://www.beckettcorp.com/support/classes/

    You could also get in touch with @Alan R. Mercurio_3 , of Oil Tech Talk.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,160
    Keep in mind that there are three parts to any fuel fired heating system (I don't care what kind). There is distribution. That you may already have a pretty good grip on, since it's pretty much the same anywhere. That said, steam is relatively common -- and an astonishing number of "technicians" seem to have no clue. Get Dan's books -- sold on this site in the store -- and start learning, or don't say you do steam.

    Second is the boiler or furnace. They're pretty much the same all over the country. Again, steam is a little different -- mostly in the controls -- but not that much.

    Third is the heat source. The flame. I realise that everyone and their brother learns on-line today. Ah... no. Sorry. In my not particularly humble opinion, if you want to learn to service and adjust oil burners for optimum operation, you are going to have to go hands on -- and would be well advised to find someone who really knows what she or he is doing and is willing to teach you.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Alan R. Mercurio_3
    Alan R. Mercurio_3 Member Posts: 1,620
    Hi Carl, welcome to the North East and to the Oil Heating Industry. In addition to the great suggestions I see here. I’ll first start by offering my email alanmercurio@oiltechtalk.com I’d be happy to help you in any way I can, I don’t have all the answers, but with 30 years in the industry I have a few, and I also have a great network of friends, like many here at HeatingHelp, and can usually find the answer being asked.

    Another great resource is the NORA website https://noraweb.org/nora-education-center/ you can create your own account, and it doesn’t cost you a single dime and there are many educational resources at your fingertips there.

    Here’s a great book you can purchase or again just read it online for FREE!

    https://files.norareport.org/NORA_Oilheat_Technicians_Manual/pubData/mobile/index.htm#/1/

    If you ever want to travel you can check out the classes and workshops held at PPATEC in Pennsylvania https://ppatec.com/

    And finally, a little closer to you, you can check out the schedule of training being made available through our friends from Carlin/Hydrolevel

    https://carlincombustion.com/class-schedule/

    Best wishes to you in this new chapter of your life in the HVAC Industry

    Blessings,
    Alan
    Your friend in the industry,



    Alan R. Mercurio



    www.oiltechtalk.com
    SuperTechErin Holohan Haskell
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    I'll say X2 for learning from Alan, and his recommendations.
    If/when live classes come back, you can consider NORA's 2 week oil burner class.
    A great place to learn is here:
    http://www.firedragonent.com/
    steve
    Alan R. Mercurio_3
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,691
    edited April 2020
    Carl that’s interesting, might be because the shops interviewing you can’t keep good oil techs. Or they want the “new guy “ to do oil. Just an opinion.

    With that said. It’s good to know oil. Way back (don’t really want to date myself) I did an evening class at a local community college for a semester. It’s super good to learn the background stuff to you can “Stay in your lane “ There’s old stuff out there I wouldn’t touch but that goes with any trade. There’s 80 year old plumbing stacks that others shouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole😀

    Good luck
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,137
    The first thing you need to learn is that in order to do oil service properly you need the right tools. Digital combustion analyzer, smoke pump, oil pump pressure and vacuum manifold gauge are 100% necessary. Anyone who tries to tell you that all you need to do is look at the flame is someone who you shouldn't listen to.
    Alan R. Mercurio_3pecmsg
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    @carlfrancis

    In addition to all the above excellent information check out the "Peterson School" they are in the Boston area. Some of the supply houses have their brochures at the counter and you can also find them online
    Alan R. Mercurio_3