The maintenance of an oil boiler must be carried out once a year. These checks are essential for the proper functioning of your installation, to ensure your safety and to allow you to save energy. Fuel-it details the different steps to maintain the boiler.
1) Cleaning of the heating element and the fireplace
The oil boiler produces a lot of residues. The professional will begin by inspecting and cleaning the interior of your system, after removing the burner, hatch, insulation plate and fireplace access door. Equipped with a sweeping brush and brushes, he will scrape off the soot residues before making them disappear with his professional vacuum cleaner.
2) Cleaning the burner
During the maintenance of the oil boiler, checking and cleaning the burner is an important step since it is this part that allows the combustion of oil. The professional will check the burner to make sure it is in good condition, that it is not leaking, and check the oil pump and electrodes. After that, he will move on to cleaning the room.
3) Checking the oil nozzle
When servicing the boiler, the professional will disassemble and check the oil nozzle, a part that supplies fuel. If it is in bad condition, the nozzle will be replaced directly. Before being reassembled on the burner, the nozzle will obviously be cleaned.
4) Adjustment of the flame-holder
The flame-holder is the element that allows to modify the air flow and the heating of the boiler. The professional will adjust this element on the nozzle. Depending on the model and its power, the distance between the flame-holder and the base of the burner may vary.
5) Cleaning the filters
The next step in boiler maintenance is to clean the oil filters on the burner and, if your system is equipped, to remove and clean the oil pre-filter.
6) Chimney sweep
The professional must sweep the flues from the boiler to the outside. A way to avoid excessive consumption of fuel oil and, above all, to avoid possible fire risks.
7) Carbon monoxide measurement and smoke analysis
Once the various stages of boiler maintenance are completed, the professional restarts the installation to identify any potential problems. If everything is in order, he proceeds to the measurement of the carbon monoxide level thanks to a specific device. In case of non-conforming results, additional investigations may be performed.
8) Smoke analysis
Using a combustion analyzer, the professional analyzes the smoke and its carbon monoxide and dioxide content. These measurements will help him to adjust the burner in the safest way.
9) Keep the maintenance certificate
Within 15 days, the professional must provide you with a certificate of maintenance including the various operations carried out, the results of the measurements and any advice given. You must keep this document for two years. The certificate must be presented in case of control and covers you in case of accident.
10) Regular check of the boiler
Now that the professional has performed the mandatory annual maintenance, it is up to you to take care of less technical tasks to preserve your installations. For example, you can check the pressure of the boiler (ideally between 1 and 1.5 bar). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the professional for advice.
