Just moved out east. Oil help

carlfrancis

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.

Steamhead

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.

Jamie Hall

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.

Alan R. Mercurio_3

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

STEVEusaPA

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/

GW

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

SuperTech

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.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@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