Families in the northeast have been relying on heating oil for many years. It has been a stable and efficient way to heat our homes during the winter season. Fuel oil is also known to be one of the safest heat sources, which is an essential aspect as it concerns the well-being of your family. It is good to know that you are in excellent hands when you use oilheat at home.
Is Oilheat Safe For Your Home?
Read on to find out more about the different aspects of oilheat safety compared to other fuels.
Heating Oil & Flammability
Heating oil is non-flammable when at room temperature, ensuring that you are safe from fire when it is in liquid form. It will not catch fire even if you accidentally drop a lit match in it. This is why your furnace comes with advanced burners, as these are needed to burn heating oil at more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit effectively. This temperature will allow heating oil to vaporize. Therefore, you can control the combustion of heating oil so you can use it for safe residential heating.
Heating Oil Tanks
It is safe to have heating oil tanks installed in your houses, such as in the basement or garage. It could also be installed outside or buried underground. When the supply runs low, the homeowner can call an oil supplier to deliver more oil. A delivery truck will arrive to replenish the oil in your tank so that your furnace can continue to operate without a hitch.
A pump is connected between the tank and furnace. The oil passes through this pump and into the burner when required. The oil is then pre-heated before it is atomized and further heated to reach the ignition stage. Your furnace will stop automatically when the set temperature has been achieved.
The Low Risk Of Carbon Monoxide
Some homeowners might be concerned with carbon monoxide poisoning because the furnaces emit exhaust fumes. There is little to worry about with a heating oil system as this type of heating unit emits low amounts of carbon monoxide. Although there is still a small possibility that it will, you will see visible smoke from your oil burner when this happens. It will alert you when something goes wrong with your unit so that you can take action to get outside immediately and call for help. Your oil delivery company can send their emergency response team to have the problem fixed right away.
Keep in mind that you have to be extra careful if you use a natural gas-powered heating unit. This type of burner tends to produce carbon monoxide discreetly. It’ll be harder to detect because CO is an odorless and colorless gas. It would help if you had a CO detector installed to assist you and so that you have peace of mind when you use a natural gas system. You might also want to add smoke and fire alarms as an extra safety measure.
The Availability Of Remote Monitoring
The advancement in technology has allowed homeowners to be more secure and feel safer with their oil tanks. One of such advances is a device that lets you check your oil tank levels remotely. These devices typically have Wi-Fi features so they can be connected to the internet and send you oil data at a set schedule. This way, you’ll never run out of heating oil because you’ll know exactly when you need a refill.
Tanks are also equipped with alarms that are triggered when the oil is at a dangerously high level. You’ll usually hear a loud, high-pitched sound that people in your house can hear. Therefore, the delivery personnel knows when to stop pumping heating oil into your tank. This way, spills and other issues are prevented from happening.
Protection via Regular Maintenance
Heating oil furnaces can typically last for 10 years or more. Ensure that they receive HVAC maintenance at least once a year to extend their lifespan and keep your home safe at all times. The best time to schedule your annual tune-up is every fall. This will provide you with ample time to get any issues repaired before the temperature drops. Maintenance includes a thorough check of all essential components of your heating unit. They will also clean it to prevent any build-ups. This way, your furnace remains efficient and safe to use for many years.
Conclusion
Heating oil is an intrinsically safe fuel to use at home. Furnaces and oil tanks have built-in safety mechanisms so that you can confidently use them without worries. Homeowners can also install additional alarms and monitors for more protection. To learn more about the preventive measures you can take, do not hesitate to contact the Better Heat Home Council.
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. Contact Us To Find An Oil Supplier In Your Area
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.