Oil furnaces give steady heat even when it gets really cold outside. Homes that do not have a natural gas line can use them as a heating choice. For these houses, an oil furnace has been doing the job reliably for years, often without much attention, until something needs a closer look.
In many NJ houses, gas lines were not installed in each area prior to their construction. The gap was filled by oil heating, and it remained because of its outstanding performance. An oil hot air furnace burns heating oil, heats the air, and a blower circulates it through the ductwork into various rooms.
Oil heating systems are also independent of gas, meaning a disruption in gas supply will not affect heating. Where gas lines are unavailable, or conversion costs are too high, an oil hot air furnace remains a practical, dependable long-term heating solution.
An oil furnace that stops working in the middle of winter needs to be checked on the same day. A single worn or failed component causes most failures, and the faster it's diagnosed, the faster the heat comes back on. We inspect the system, identify the failed component, and repair it in the same visit when possible. Replacing parts without a diagnosis can make a simple repair very costly.
These are the most common oil furnace problems:
Each repair extends the life of the unit, but it cannot restore a system that has reached the end of its service life. New oil furnaces operate at much higher efficiency than units from 15 to 20 years ago. An older furnace running at 70 percent efficiency burns far more oil than a new unit running at 85 to 90 percent efficiency to produce the same heat.
The right replacement unit should be correctly sized for the home, matched to the existing ductwork, and installed by a licensed technician so it runs efficiently from the first heating season. We assess the existing unit’s condition before recommending replacement, so you don’t spend money on a new system when a repair is the better option.
An oil furnace performs best when it is installed correctly and serviced every year. Annual servicing keeps it running that way for 20 years or more.
The biggest mistake made during a new oil furnace installation is choosing the wrong size unit for the home. A furnace that is undersized runs continuously, trying to keep up with demand, and burns itself out ahead of schedule. We estimate the correct size based on the home’s square footage, insulation level, existing ductwork layout, and number of rooms heated.
The ductwork is checked before installation because a new furnace connected to damaged or undersized ducts will never perform as it should. Licensed technicians with the required permits complete every installation so the system meets NJ code standards from day one.
An oil furnace produces more combustion by-products than a gas furnace, and these build up in the burner, nozzle, and heat exchanger over time. An uncleaned burner will operate less efficiently, consume more oil to produce the same heat output, and force other system parts to work harder.
A damaged heat exchanger poses a carbon monoxide hazard and is often only discovered during a thorough annual inspection. Scheduling service in early autumn prepares the system for the demands of winter.
When properly maintained, most oil hot-air furnaces have a useful life of 15-25 years. Scheduling service in early autumn prepares the system for the demands of winter. When the furnace is more than 20 years old and has been having some issues, it may be time to replace it before it starts to break down during a freezing winter.
Common signs include a furnace that is over 20 years old, frequent breakdowns, rising heating oil bills despite regular servicing, uneven heating, and increasing repair costs. Clearly understand the condition of the unit to make an informed choice.
Oil furnaces need more frequent maintenance than gas furnaces, at least once a year and before the heating season, because burner and heat exchanger surfaces tend to build up over time. An unserviceable furnace is more likely to break down during winter, when it is needed most.
It depends on the current price of heating oil relative to natural gas. Oil prices fluctuate more than gas prices and can be significantly higher during periods of peak demand in winter. However, oil produces more heat per BTU than gas, which means less fuel is needed to produce the same amount of warmth. The bigger cost factor is usually the unit's age and efficiency rating, not the fuel type alone.
The most common reasons are a failed heat exchanger, a blower motor issue, a clogged air filter that blocks airflow, or a burner that ignites but is unable to maintain a proper flame. The simplest and first thing to look at is a clogged filter. If that is not the problem, it is time for a licensed furnace technician to inspect the heat exchanger and burner before it goes any further.
American Way Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is available to help if you have lost power to your oil furnace or want to have it serviced before the winter season. We provide services throughout North Jersey. Contact us today!
