July 19, 2008
Time for a furnace tune-up
Every year, before the cold weather hits, experts urge homeowners to have their heating equipment inspected and serviced.
That's probably a good idea, because heating and cooling accounts for 44 percent of a home's energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Furnaces and air conditioners that run at peak efficiency use less energy and can save homeowners money.
Nearly 70 percent of residents and about half of the businesses on Long Island use oil heat, according to the Oil Heat Institute of Long Island. That means most of us are just about ready for that annual preseason tune-up (about $125) on our oil-fired furnaces.
So here's the question: What should homeowners be getting with their tune-up?
In my case, I'd ask the technician for a checklist. I'd want to know that specific parts of the burner were examined and tested not only for efficiency but for safety. Here's what that list might look like:
The electrodes and nozzle assembly should be cleaned and a new filter installed.
On older units, oil the motors on burners, fans and circulators. On newer units, these motors often are self- lubricating.
The combustion chamber should be cleaned and examined for cracks.
Test for flame adjustment and exhaust leaks using professional equipment.
The unit should be run for a short time and tested for maximum efficiency.
Check that all safety and operating controls are properly working, and, finally, check the vacuum flue pipe.
In addition, worn parts should be replaced. Depending on the part, expect an additional expense.
"With home heating oil approaching $3 a gallon, you want the burner running at peak efficiency," said Ed Schoen, who operates Prestige Heating Service in Massapequa and does his share of annual tune-ups. "Professional testing equipment is important in the process. You want someone who is doing more than just changing parts."
It's not a bad idea, Schoen said, to use a technician who has been certified by any of the major manufacturers. Many manufacturers, like Riello, offer training seminars for servicing newer models. The Oil Heat Institute also has training seminars for working on new equipment, said Kevin Rooney, the group's executive director. Homeowners can find institute members and more information on oil heat at www.ohili.org.
Rooney said an oil-heat tune-up covers four main safety and efficiency issues:
Vent draft: Exhaust gas should be properly vented to the exterior of the house.
Stack temperature: This varies with the style, size and make of furnace, but a stack temperature that is too high means heat is being vented instead of directed to the interior. A temperature that is too low means incomplete combustion and likely an interior buildup of soot.
CO2 level: High levels of carbon dioxide indicate an improper mixture of fuel and oxygen (fresh air).
Smoke level: If the burner produces too much smoke, incomplete combustion is likely.
How much can a homeowner save on a burner that runs efficiently? "That depends a lot on the equipment a technician has and if the work is done correctly," Schoen said. "If done properly, a tune-up can save a homeowner 10 percent on fuel costs over the course of a heating season."
More important, a unit that is properly tuned can give homeowners peace of mind. "It's a reliability thing," Shoen said. "You will know that the unit is running safely and cleanly."
And it just may save you from an emergency call to an oil company in the middle of a cold winter night because your furnace is on the fritz. "That call's going to cost $150 minimum," Schoen said.
There's a good chance that when the technician completes his emergency repair work, the bill is going to be a lot more than $150. Figure in parts and labor, and the cost can easily double or triple, experts Schoen and Rooney say.
"Skipping an annual tune-up is one of those penny-wise, pound-foolish things," Rooney said. "Homeowners think they are saving $125 or $150 by not having a tune-up. But a burner that isn't running efficiently can waste three times that much in fuel in a heating season."
SAFETY CHECKS
With an autumn chill in the air and National Fire Prevention Week about to begin (Oct. 9), it's a good time for homeowners to make sure their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. As more furnaces start up, there's an increased risk of indoor fire and smoke, experts say.
The National Fire Protection Association says 78 percent of all reported fires - more than 400,000 a year - happen in residences (homes, dormitories, apartments, etc.). Properly working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can save lives. It's also a good idea to have a safety plan that features an escape route and a fire extinguisher.
More information on testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is at www.ul.com/seasonal or at the National Fire Protection Association Web site, www.nfpa.org.
- GARY DYMSKI
WRITE TO: Gary Dymski, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250 or e-mail Gary.Dymski@newsday.com
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