Using Heating Oil? Two Things Watch Out For

Posted on: 22 March 2017

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If you have only lived in apartments and houses where you only had to turn up the thermostat to get electric heat, you may not know much about heating oil and furnaces. That's why, in your new home, you could miss signs of a problem or start to worry over something minor. It's important that you pay attention to the issues below so that you can keep heating the space.

Be Aware of Odors

One thing that alarms many new heating oil users is a burning smell that seems to happen after a new delivery. There is rarely a reason to panic, however. It is possible that during delivery, some oil spilled during filling of the tanks on your property. It only becomes cause for concern when it persists for more than a day or two.

If you start smelling fumes and you have not had a recent delivery, that could be something to pay attention to. It's possible that your furnace needs to get cleaned by a professional, but there might also be trouble with the burner which heats the oil. Calling the heating oil company or an HVAC contractor is necessary if you start to experience odd odors.

However, it is vital to realize that you should not be lulled into a false sense of security if there are no odors at all. Carbon monoxide poisoning is always a risk, however minor, so using store-bought detectors is a smart idea that could keep your family safe. You might also want to ask your heating oil representative to do an indoor check for you after each delivery.

Know When There's a Possibility of a Leak

Oil tank leaks, while unusual, can happen for many reasons. If that occurs, your soil could be soaked with oil and your water could also have an oil problem. Not only that, but there could be a fire risk too. Pay attention to the tanks themselves; you might see oil flowing out, but it is more likely that you'll see rust and corrosion instead which should make you notify the heating oil company. You may notice that your water tastes strangely or that you need more frequent heating oil deliveries in spite of the same usage. Watch for these changes so that you can handle a small leak before it turns into a major problem.

After considering the issues in this article, you can be more vigilant about heating your home with oil. Your heating oil representative, such as from Fox Fuel Co, should be able to answer more questions and give you an even better understanding of the way you heat your new home.