Every year, numerous American households rely on heating oil as a source of energy and fuel. Oil is ideal for the colder months because it is efficient, cost-effective, and readily available. If you utilize heating oil and notice a heating oil smell, your first thoughts are about safety in your home. While heating oil emits an oil scent, you will be fine once you have an efficient containment system. If you smell the oil, do not worry because the odor will disappear instantly. While it is rare, if an odor persists, immediately contact a technician to review the air quality and to determine what the problem may be.
Is A Heating Oil Smell A Regular Occurrence?
- Is A Heating Oil Smell A Regular Occurrence?
- 1. Recent Refilling Of The Fuel Oil Tank
- 2. Your First Use Of Your Oil Furnace
- 3. Clogs In The Furnace Filter
- 4. Possible Underlying Issues With The Furnace
- Is The Oil Odor Harmful?
- Contact The Better Home Heat Council To Connect With A Reputable Oil Supplier
The scent of heating oil does not linger in a dwelling; however, this can occasionally happen. You may experience a mild case which requires no additional support. Conversely, the odor could be persistent and may cause a problem. Some likely causes of this are listed below.
1. Recent Refilling Of The Fuel Oil Tank
After you have the heating oil delivered, you will smell the fuel for a while in the atmosphere. After a few days, the scent will naturally dissipate. This odor should be light, not overwhelming. If the oil scent persists, the delivery team may have spilled some heating oil on the floor.
The oil dealers, that the Better Home Heat Council can connect you with, offer reliability and safety when they deliver heating oil in Pennsylvania. You can count on one of our dealer’s efficient team to deliver your heating oil without spillage or any other issues. Contact us today to connect with a local oil supplier. You can learn more about how their heating oil delivery service can benefit you.
2. Your First Use Of Your Oil Furnace
Your heating system is idle during the warm periods, which accounts for half of the year. Therefore, you only turn on your heat when the temperature gets cold. The first lighting of a furnace during the colder seasons produces a scent of burning oil. Since this is normal, you do not need to worry about it as a safety issue.
3. Clogs In The Furnace Filter
An oily odor could be the result of a blockage in the furnace filter. At two to three month intervals, replace your HVAC air filter. The size and type of home determines the frequency of the replacements. Always check your oil furnace filter to determine if it has a problem. If you have replaced the filter and the problem persists, then keep looking for the cause of the odor. Better yet, contact the Better Home Heat Council.
4. Possible Underlying Issues With The Furnace
You may be able to link the oily odor to inefficiency within the furnace. If the oil does not completely combust, the smell can linger because of the remaining gas. Look carefully for cracks in the oil burner since fumes can escape. A professional HVAC technician can diagnose this type of problem. The problem could also be a failure in the heat exchanger. Contact a licensed HVAC technician to assist you with the issue. Many of the oil dealers that work with the Better Home Heat Council offer superior HVAC services. Contact us today to find out more.
Is The Oil Odor Harmful?
Some persons are fearful of any oily smell and the possibility that it could be harmful. Persons with a heating oil tank in an enclosed area, such as a basement, are often more concerned. Heating oil fumes are not as dangerous as natural gas emissions. Consequently, you are less likely to be harmed by the toxicity of heating oil fumes than natural gas. Heating fuel is more stable, so you do not have to be concerned with explosions. Of course, we should avoid both types of fumes.
If you notice a lingering oily scent in your home, call a professional immediately. Never ignore it because it could lead to other dangers.
Symptoms caused by short-term exposure disappear as the oil scent dissipates. However, long-term exposure may lead to severe health issues. Therefore, if you are unable to determine the cause of the oily smell, then you must contact a trained professional as soon as possible.
Steps To Take If You Smell Heating Oil
Review the list shared above and use the recommendations given. Replace your HVAC air filter, inspect for cracks in the burner, and scan the floor for oil spills. Shut off your heating system until you determine the issue and address it. If the odor remains indoors, air out the area where the scent persists to help the odors escape. Children and pets should be removed from the room with the contaminated fumes to safeguard their health.
If a spill occurs during fuel delivery, then use absorbent material to reduce the spread of the oil. Gather any damaged items and clean thoroughly with water and soap. These solutions are efficient for minor issues. If the situation is more urgent and beyond your knowledge, contact a professional to give you expert advice. While a homeowner may consider the problem simple, the odor may be a sign of a more significant issue. That is when you need to call a technician to review the situation.
Summary
Many persons possess a strong sense of smell, which helps you with determining when danger that we cannot see or hear may be around. Strong odors help us recognize issues such as spills or leaks. Therefore, we can address the problem quickly. If your furnace reeks of heating oil, seek a solution right away. Oily fumes indicate a problem because the oil is contained in a tank. Monitor triggers such as first furnace use for the season, oil deliveries, clogs in the HVAC furnace filters, or furnace issues. Identify the problem and get prompt assistance by contacting a qualified HVAC technician.
Contact The Better Home Heat Council To Connect With A Reputable Oil Supplier
The Better Home Heat Council (BHHC) is a local association that aims to help homeowners with everything that has to do with fuel oil heat. We provide you with knowledge, especially on things regarding the economic and efficient use of heating oil. Also, we assist people in identifying and solving issues about energy-efficiency in their homes or office. We accomplish this by pushing them towards an effective and affordable path to ensure that their living areas become more efficient and cost-effective.
The BHHC also supports heating oil delivery service companies that offer services, products, and solutions to homeowners in the Lehigh Valley. If you are searching for a superior home heating oil delivery service near you, click here. Rest assured that most of the fuel oil delivery service companies in our system also provide free energy consultations.
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.