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All Seasons Chimney Truck

1083 Little Britain Rd
New Windsor, NY 12553

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Company Blog

Oil Fired Appliances: Don’t Forget to Inspect and Service

With the start of the new year comes the coldest weather of the season. Most homeowners have had the heat running for several months already in an effort to ward off the chill, which means the heating appliance has been working hard. Although these appliances seem willing to work tirelessly to keep the house warm, they do need some regular attention to keep them running safely and efficiently. Oil fired appliances, in particular, require specialized inspections and servicing every year to maintain function and to avoid any mid-winter emergency calls.

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Oil fired appliances can distribute heat throughout the house using a boiler mechanism or a furnace mechanism, but they all operate in the same basic manner. First, a fine mist of oil is sprayed into the combustion chamber. Along with a burst of oxygen-filled air and a spark, the oil ignites to form a fire. The resulting hot air heats up the heat exchanger wall before escaping the appliance and home through the exhaust stack. The heat exchanger wall transfers this heat to the medium that distributes the warmth to the house. In a boiler, the medium is water, which is then pumped around the house using pipes that then create radiant heat. In a furnace, the medium is air, which is then forced around the house using ductwork.

Whether the appliance distributes the heat using the boiler or furnace mechanism does not change the fact that the oil fired appliance requires servicing itself. The finely tuned operation of the appliance can suffer from a number of problems, all of which need an expert to identify and repair. A common issue with oil fired appliances is an incorrect ratio of air and oil in the combustion chamber. The goal is to use as little oil as possible, which cuts down on fuel costs. If the appliance releases more oil than necessary into the chamber, it will still function, but the fuel efficiency can fall dramatically. Various problems can lead to this inefficiency, including a clogged burner nozzle, a fuel pump needing re-calibration, or air volume and draft controls needing adjustment. While these fixes are inexpensive and simple for the trained eye, neglecting them or trying to make the repairs yourself can cost big time in the long run.

The oil fired appliance also commonly experiences the inability to produce a flame. This problem requires immediate professional attention to avoid oil flooding and explosions. Causes can include a leaking combustion chamber, a damaged or malfunctioning stack control, or broken ignition electrodes. Fortunately, servicemen are trained to efficiently spot and repair issues like these to keep everyone safe.

To protect your house and family this winter, schedule a servicing appointment for the oil fired appliance. If you live in the lower Hudson Valley area, contact All Seasons Chimney to speak with a professional.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

With the official start of winter only a few days away, everyone has already started up their heating appliances this time of year. From wood stoves to fireplaces, these heating systems are probably running right now due to the chilly temperatures that the lower Hudson Valley area has seen this year so far. While these units work hard to keep us warm in the winter, they also come with some risks. One of the most dangerous hazards is known as carbon monoxide.

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Any time combustion occurs, tiny molecules of carbon monoxide form in high concentrations. Fuels of any kind can produce carbon monoxide, as long as combustion takes place. Therefore, charcoal grills, wood stoves, lanterns and car exhausts all release carbon monoxide into the air. For this reason, each of these appliances should never be used inside without properly venting it, like a wood stove with a chimney. Otherwise, the space can fill quickly with carbon monoxide and you may not realize it until it is too late. Carbon monoxide has no color, smell or taste, so the only way to know it is present is with a special carbon monoxide detector. Relying on the detector and its batteries has its own risks, so the best way to prevent danger is by keeping your heating appliances serviced and up to date.

Carbon monoxide poisoning becomes evident with issues like shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea and even unconsciousness. Eventually, the organs will begin to fail and death could ensue if the body receives no fresh air. At the very first sign of poisoning, you must move everyone from the space to an open outdoor area, and then call for emergency help from there. Failure to remove yourself from the enclosed space could result in unconsciousness, which makes survival much less likely.

This tiny molecule deserves respect and must be treated as the large health threat that it is. Maintaining your fireplace and stove is a good start to avoiding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Every time the fireplace or stove burns, it continuously emits carbon monoxide. For this reason, it is imperative that the chimney is free of any obstructions. Built up creosote or even animals and nests can stop or dangerously slow the movement of vapors in the chimney, so have a chimney expert out at least once every year to sweep and inspect the chimney. Also ask to have a chimney cap installed to prevent animals from nesting inside the chimney. Another good measure to take is burning only well seasoned wood, which cuts down on the production of creosote, the thick and tarry material that can build up in the chimney.

Protect your home and family from the dangers of carbon monoxide. Simply have your local chimney specialist sweep and inspect your chimney at least once every year. If you live in the lower Hudson Valley area, trust your chimney to All Seasons Chimney. These professionals can help ensure a warm, safe home this winter.