Diagnosing Common Burner Problems On Oil-Fired Furnaces
Oil furnaces operate similarly to natural gas-powered furnaces. Instead of a natural gas burner, your furnace will include an oil burner. Combustion occurs inside the burner, which directs heat into the primary heat exchanger. The purpose of the heat exchanger is to contain the harmful exhaust gases from the combustion process while extracting heat for use in your HVAC system.
The burner is typically the most complex and costly item in an oil-burning furnace, so it pays to understand some potential failures. Keep reading to learn how to diagnose and resolve three common problems with oil furnace burners.
1. Igniter Issues
Modern oil furnaces use electronic ignition to begin the combustion process. When your thermostat requests heat, it sends a 24-volt signal to the furnace. The burner then triggers an electrode, which creates a spark to begin the ignition process. Just as an arc from your car's spark plugs ignites gasoline, an electrical arc in your furnace's burner ignites a spray of oil.
If the electronic igniter isn't functioning, then your burner will not work, and you won't get any heat at all. Igniters are a common failure point, and the electrodes inside the igniter can wear out over time. A trained technician can test and replace your electrodes if necessary without replacing the entire burner or igniter unit.
2. Nozzle Problems
Your burner includes a small nozzle that aerosolizes oil as it enters the combustion chamber. If you have a good spark from your igniter, the nozzle is another potential culprit for lack of heat. The nozzle must remain in relatively good condition to provide a consistent spray for combustion. Warpage, clogs, and other problems can create an inconsistent spray or no spray at all.
As with the igniter electrodes, a worn or damaged nozzle is a wearing part that a technician can replace without replacing the entire burner unit. In some cases, it may only be necessary to clean the nozzle to restore it fully.
3. Clogged Oil Lines
Your burner must have a consistent flow of oil to provide heat. A functioning igniter and nozzle won't do much good if there's no oil present to burn. Fuel lines can become clogged for various reasons, and consistent clogs may indicate a problem with your oil tank. Sediment and rust can build up in old tanks, producing clogs in the oil line.
Clearing a clog may be as simple as blowing out the line or as costly as cleaning and refurbishing your tank. If clogged oil lines are routinely stopping your burner from functioning, you'll need a heating technician to determine the underlying cause of the problem. To learn more, contact a heating contractor.