Are Heating Oil Boilers safe?

Should I be able to smell heating oil in my house?

No. A smell of boiler fuel in your house indicates that something is wrong. It could be caused by a number of faults in or around your system. It is imperative that you call an OFTEC registered engineer to check your system.

Where is the pilot light?

A pressure jet boiler uses an electronic ignition system, similar to a spark plug in a car, and thus does not require a pilot light.

Can I use a match to light my boiler?

A pressure jet boiler uses an electronic ignition system. Try your restart button once or twice, but should this not work seek the assistance of an OFTEC engineer.

Should I have black smoke from the exhaust?

A properly set and tuned heating oil boiler should produce very little emission, either visible or otherwise. Black smoke, or a build up of soot on the wall around the boilers' exhaust, suggests improper combustion and inefficient burning. An OFTEC engineer should be called into adjust and service the boiler.

What is the "commissioning" of a boiler?

Commissioning is the fine tuning of your heating oil fired boiler to your individual heating system to ensure optimum boiler efficiency and reliability. Commissioning, by an OFTEC registered engineer, must occur the first time a new boiler is put into operation. It is normally a warranty requirement for all types of oil fired boilers.

Does my boiler need servicing?

Yes, your heating oil boiler should be serviced regularly, at least once every year. Annual servicing will maintain a boiler's efficiency, reliability and longevity, and is also a requirement of all boiler warranties.