Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Francis
How Often to Clean Chimney Oil Furnace
Table that includes checking for leaks and other dangerous factors:
| Item | Recommended Cleaning Frequency | What to Inspect | Factors to Consider | Checking for Leaks and Other Dangerous Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney | At least once a year | Check for buildup of soot, debris, and creosote; Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or gaps in the flue lining; Check for proper draft and ventilation | Age of chimney, frequency of use, type of fuel being burned, condition of chimney, weather conditions, nearby trees or obstructions | Look for signs of leaks or blockages in the chimney, such as water stains, rust, or debris buildup; Check for proper installation of the chimney cap to prevent animals or debris from entering the chimney |
| Oil Furnace | At least once a year | Clean or replace air filters; Inspect the burner, heat exchanger, and blower motor for signs of wear and damage; Check for proper fuel flow and combustion | Age of furnace, frequency of use, type of fuel being burned, condition of furnace, size and layout of ductwork, location of furnace, quality of fuel | Look for signs of leaks or damage in the fuel lines or tank; Check for proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup; Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home |
| Overall | Consult with a professional HVAC technician for specific recommendations | N/A | Size and layout of home, climate and weather conditions, family health needs, budget and energy efficiency goals, age and condition of system | Have a professional perform a safety inspection of the entire heating system, including the furnace, chimney, and fuel lines, to check for any dangerous conditions or potential hazards. |
The combustion process in an oil furnace produces a number of substances. Some of these are harmful, including carbon monoxide and sulphur, which can cause short and long term health problems in people who breathe them in.
Some of these corrosive substances also deposit on the chimney flue liner, which is why it’s important to have your own chimney flues cleaned regularly by a chimney professional. A good chimney sweep, will also check the chimney cap and exterior masonry, which should be in good condition.
Whether you have an oil or gas furnace, you need to keep your chimney in good condition. An unclean chimney can be a health hazard and an insurance liability for your family.
How to Clean Your Chimney
To begin the cleaning and maintenance process, shut down your furnace and remove any components between you and the chimney, such as a grate, an airflow control and a damper. Use a flexible rod and chimney brushes to gently brush the interior of the chimney.
What are some warning signs that you need to have your chimney inspected and cleaned?
* Acidic condensation in your fireplace chimney exhaust system can weaken mortar joints, terra cotta tiles or metal parts. This can create clogs that will eventually require a professional to repair or replace.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney inspected at least once a year. A clog could lead to the collapse of the roof, internal brick or liner, which can cause serious damage to your home’s structure and result in costly repairs and replacement.
How Do I Know If I Need to Have My Oil Furnace Flue Relined?
The oil furnace flue, that vents your oil furnace is designed to safely and efficiently rid your home of the volatile byproducts of burning oil. These byproducts are dangerous and can cause carbon monoxide leaks in your home.
If you are unsure whether or not your chimney is properly sized for your oil furnace, let Pristine Sweeps inspect it at least once a year. Our technicians can spot any problems that need to be addressed and recommend steps toward safer and more efficient venting.
Choosing the Right Chimney Liner
The best lining system for your oil-burning appliance is one that can withstand corrosive acids produced by the boiler and exhaust. These acids can eat through the chimney tiles, causing them to flake away and even crack.
A cast in place chimney liner, or a UL Listed stainless steel chimney lining system that can resist these corrosive acids should be installed to protect your chimney flue. A CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep(r) can evaluate your chimney, size and recommend the appropriate chimney liner for your furnace or other heating appliances.
While appliances fueled by natural gas or propane may not produce soot or the visible soot that appliances burning other fuels do, they can deposit corrosive substances in your chimney. These acidic byproducts could wreak havoc on your chimney without producing any external symptoms initially. Which means you may not know there’s an issue until the problem has become dangerous or expensive to repair.
Damage to Your Clay Tiled Flue*
The acidic fumes from your oil-burning furnace can cause your chimney tiles to flake or break down over time. They can also erode the parging and masonry joints between bricks or stones as well.
During the winter, your oil-fired furnace can run for long cycles, which can produce soot that may adhere to the sides of your chimney. Eventually, this soot may fall to the base of your chimney or on top of the flue gases in your oil furnace. This soot can buildup and restrict the flow of flue gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
While furnace technicians will often shovel out the base of the chimney and brush the furnace chimney’s connector pipes, the furnace technician usually will not clean and inspect the chimney from top to bottom.
How Do You Know If Your Venting System Is Properly Matched to Your Gas Furnace?
Whether you’re getting a new furnace or replacing your old one, proper installation is essential to the safety and performance of your heating appliance. Improperly installed or improperly sized furnaces can deliver less comfort and energy savings than they’re supposed to, compromising the efficiency of your heating system and putting your family at risk.
The simplest way to determine if your venting system is properly matched to your furnace is to check that it’s meeting all of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and your equipment’s manufacturer’s installation instructions. If you have any questions, consult your equipment’s installation manual or contact your local Carrier dealer for more information.
If the problem persists, consider calling an HVAC professional for help.
First, make sure the heat vents are open. Clogged vents can cause your furnace to cycle on and off more often than it should, which can lower its efficiency and shorten its life span.
Next, inspect the air filters for debris and blockages. Dirty filters can also restrict the flow of hot air through the ductwork, reducing the amount of heat that gets to your rooms and causing your furnace to operate longer than it should.
If you’re still unsure of what the problem is, call an HVAC technician to perform a diagnostic test and evaluate your venting system. He or she may be able to tell you more about your system and recommend solutions that will keep it running safely and efficiently.
Do Gas Furnace Chimneys Need to Be Maintained?
Most people don’t realize that furnaces, water heaters and most other heating appliances all have chimneys to vent the fumes from combustion. While it may not be as bad or complex as burning wood in a fireplace, these venting systems still need regular inspection and cleaning to avoid dangerous buildup and blockage that can lead to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Acidic Nature of Flue Gas Vapors
Unlike wood burning fuels, gas-fired furnaces release vapors that contain chlorides from the house-supplied air they burn which when combined form hydrochloric acid (HCl). If your flue liner is old unit not sized correctly for a new, efficient furnace, these water and acids will eventually condense inside your chimney liner and eat away at its masonry over time.
Brick Spalling
As a result, the brick in your chimney will gradually flake or even spall off and fall down to the ground. This is not only a big safety issue, but if oil chimney is left unattended it can also damage your home and cause mold to grow in your chimney.
The Mismatch Between Your Flue and the Appliance
Many newer, high efficiency gas-fired furnaces have a large exhaust pipe that is not suitable for proper venting of the appliance through your existing side chimney flues. In such situations, a relining process is required to reduce the size of the flue so it will meet the appliance’s needs. This relining process is usually done in conjunction with your furnace installation.
Does My Gas Or Oil Furnace Chimney Need to Be Cleaned?
Almost every heating appliance, from furnaces to wood stoves, rely on a chimney to vent the toxic gases produced by the appliance. Many homeowners think their yearly furnace service includes cleaning oil furnaces and inspecting the attached chimney system, but that isn’t always the case.
Some of the corrosive byproducts from burning fuel (natural gas, propane, coal or oil) settle on chimney walls and can cause them to soften and flake over time, which could lead to openings in the liner for carbon monoxide. This corrosion is accelerated by moisture condensation, water vapor and acidic deposits from combustion (especially if the chimney was used to vent other appliances in the past that burn different types of fuel like wood).
The incomplete by product of combustion, soot, is particularly corrosive. It contains carbon and sulphur that can absorb into the flue tile and start a deteriorating process called spalling or rusting.
In general, most homeowners with oil-fired furnaces are much more prone to needing chimney cleaning than many homeowners with gas-burning furnaces. This is because oil furnaces often produce a heavier soot-like byproduct than gas furnaces.
Soot buildup in the base of the chimney is the primary reason why a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep(r) should perform a regular inspection and cleaning. Soot is not only an eyesore but it can also restrict the flow of exhaust gases and create a dangerous draft that may contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning.
An inspected chimney is the best way to ensure that your furnace and other heating appliances are operating safely all year long. It’s also a great way to avoid expensive repair bills and potentially fatal fires.
Cleaning an Oil Furnace Chimney
Oil furnace chimneys accumulate an oil soot, much like a wood stove and they need to be cleaned regularly.
Keeping an oil furnace chimney clean will help you avoid hazardous smoke and soot as well as the corrosive gases that come with them such as carbon dioxide and monoxide. Cleaning an oil furnace chimney is important because it can help you prevent a lot of expense, damage to your home, and even injuries.
Chimneys must be cleaned annually inspected and cleaned at least once per year according to the National Fire Protection Assoc. (211 codes).
A chimney should be swept and cleaned by a professional at least once a year to prevent a wide range of problems. It can be clogged with a wide variety of substances such as dirt, rust, debris, creosote, and other materials that may block the regular flow of waste fumes.
This can be a major cause of deterioration in the flue lining.
During the combustion process of fuels, unburned carbon and sulfur known as soot can clog the flue liner in a chimney. This corrosive by-product can eat away at the mortar joints, flue, and masonry of a chimney.
Soot can also restrict the flow of the gaseous exhaust from an oil furnace if it builds up. This can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide in the house, which is poisonous and deadly.
The best time of the year to have your chimney cleaned annually is after the winter heating season. This will allow the chimney to be swept and cleaned to remove soot that has adhered to the sides of the chimney during the winter heating season.
