How does an oil burner work?

Have you ever wondered how your oil furnace works? It might not come up in your Easter Sunday conversation, but it’s something to think about as we leave heating season and enter the warmer months. Before you know it, we’ll be back to heating season, and the more you know about your system, the better prepared you will be.

How does an oil burner work?

If you have an oil-fueled furnace, the unit is connected to a tank that feeds the oil to the furnace, where typically a pump mixes it with air and forces it through a nozzle that turns the oil into a fine mist. The mist then gets injected into the combustion chamber, where it catches fire to heat either air or water depending on the type of system you have.

If you have a forced-air system, the unit pushes warm air through ducts and out through vents to heat your home. If you have a water-based system, it works either by producing steam or boiling water that travels through pipes to emit heat through your radiators or sometimes baseboards.

The system also has an emissions pipe to dispose of the waste produced during combustion of the fuel. The emissions usually travel through a flue, rise and escape through a chimney.

Smith Propane & Oil

As we leave heating system, keep system maintenance in mind. Over time, your propane and oil systems require maintenance with wear and tear. Getting a technician out at least once a year will ensure your system operates at peak efficiency and prevents major breakdowns mid-winter. Give us call at (800) 814-2822 or visit us online to learn more.