Annual Oil Boiler Service Checklist
Friday, September 26th, 2014
It is highly recommended that you get your oil boiler serviced once per year and the engineer should follow the steps in the oil boiler service checklist. An oil boiler service guarantees that your heating system is running at its optimum levels of efficiency and makes sure that no oil (and, to that end, money) goes to waste needlessly when your oil boiler is in operation. The service nips small problems in the bud which could potentially lead to expensive repairs being needed or a complete oil boiler breakdown in the future.
The main things that are done during an oil boiler service are inspections of the oil boiler’s pipework, clearance area and ventilation. After that, the oil boiler is inspected, cleaned and reassembled. Finally, the oil boiler is given a combustion test to make sure that it is in proper working order.
While it is not a legal requirement in Ireland, it is strongly recommended that any oil engineers you have carried out an oil boiler service are registered with OFTEC (the Oil Firing Technical Association). All DeWAR oil contractors are fully registered with OFTEC.
Below you will find an in-depth oil boiler service checklist which explains everything that you should demand/expect from your oil servicing engineer when they are carrying out an oil boiler service.
Annual Oil Boiler Service Checklist:
Visual Inspection:
• Look for oil leaks from the tank itself as well as piping and fittings found above ground level.
• Look for visible damage in the form of corrosion on the gas boiler’s outer shell, flue, electrical controls, piping and any other components.
• Look for cracks in the firebox and on the target wall (where the burner fires too). This can be done either by opening the boiler top or looking through the inspection port.
Check the Following:
(Before running these checks, the fuel filter should be replaced)
• Check that the oil shut-off valve is working.
• Check that air inlets to the oil boiler room/oil burner are of sufficient size and are not blocked.
• Check for cracks and other forms of damage on the burner refractory.
• Clean and adjust (when necessary) spark electrodes.
• Clean the burner diffuser and air tube.
• Check the ignition transformer, porcelain and HT cable for cracks and deterioration.
• Check that the draught stabiliser is working properly.
• Check the flame photocell and clean it if necessary.
• Check and clean the oil boiler’s side heat transfer surfaces.
• Check that the high limit thermostat is working properly.
• The burner nozzle should be replaced.
• The burner’s pressure and diffuser plate should be adjusted to obtain the correct length and shape in regards to the burner’s flame.
• Check that the flame failure device is working properly.
• When all of the aforementioned aspects of the oil boiler service are completed, a combustion efficiency test should be carried out. This is done to make sure that the oil boiler is operating at its maximum levels of efficiency.
System Checks:
• Check that the time clock is working properly.
• Check that zone valves and thermostats are working properly.
Please note that while this is what usually takes place in relation to an oil boiler service checklist, no two oil boilers are the exact same. Some systems might need certain specifics which are slightly different to those outlined above. In all cases, it is considered best practice to conform to the manufacturer’s guidelines when having an oil boiler service carried out.
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