oil heaters (to clean or not to clean)

turnkeydrs

My wife advised against calling a serviceman to clean out the old soot and ash buildup, as she believes the oil we purchase from the local gas station likely contains so many impurities that it wouldn't make much difference after cleaning once the oil is introduced to the heater. By the way, it's a Godin oil heater.

What are your thoughts.. ?

Thanks David

EBEBRATT-Ed

It you have soot and ash build up it needs cleaning and maybe adjustment. Buying fuel at the gas station would not cause that.

EdTheHeaterMan

1/8" of soot has the equivalent R Value of 1" of fiberglass insulation.  So any soot in your boiler is keeping the heat from the flame from transferring to the water in the boiler, just like the insulation in your walls and ceiling is keeping the heat inside your home from getting to the cold outdoors.

You have to remove the soot to let the heat transfer faster and easier.  Whatever heat does not transfer into the boiler because of the soot will be wasted up the chimney. 

In order to keep the burner from making soot, you need the have the burner adjusted with the proper instruments so it burns clean.

Since you are using fuel from the gas station, I'm guessing that you don't have extra money to waste. A clean boiler will use less fuel. In the long run it will cost you less to pay for a proper tune up and cleaning !!!

ethicalpaul

What kind of oil are you buying from the gas station? Clean diesel from the pump, or used motor oil?

Grallert

oh that's beautiful! So my guess is you're buying clean heating oil. Or kerosene? If you are getting soot there is likely something out of adjustment and this should be checked. That is what we used to call, maybe still do? a pot burner. They will start smoky and as they heat up burn cleaner. Either way they should be cleaned periodically.