There are many ways to keep your Erie, PA, home warm in the winter. Nerthling’s Heating and Air Conditioning knows every home has its own specs. That’s why we bring a variety of products to deliver tailor-made heating solutions to our neighbors.
Oil furnaces are a popular solution for homeowners who need an alternative to gas or electricity, particularly in the northeast part of the country. Here in Pennsylvania, many residents still use oil as their fuel source for heating.
Tried and true, oil furnaces last nearly twice as long as conventional gas furnaces.
How Does an Oil Furnace Work?
Each time your thermostat signals for more heat, your oil furnace pulls oil from a storage tank and pumps it into the burner. From there, it’s converted to a mixture of mist and air. This mixture ignites in the combustion chamber.
Unlike a gas furnace, which gets its supply through an underground gas line, oil furnaces rely on a storage tank that you will need to set up on your property.
What Is AFUE?
AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. It’s the standard rating to determine how efficiently your furnace works. The AFUE rating is the percentage of fuel utilized for heating versus how much is wasted in the delivery chain.
Many older models have an AFUE between 56 and 70 percent, meaning 30 to 44 percent of the fuel gets wasted. Furnaces manufactured after 2015 are legally required to have an AFUE of 80 or higher. High-efficiency models burn at 90 to 98.5 AFUE.
Replacing an older furnace is a fantastic way to save on heating oil in the long run.
Oil Furnace Repairs
Is your furnace acting out of character? Giving you the cold shoulder or cold feet? Don’t fret! Our team of experts can bring back the furnace you fell in love with. Some common issues you might encounter with an oil furnace are:
- The oil burner needs cleaning
- Clogged lines
- Worn-out belts and other parts
- Burner smokes
- Burner cycles too often
Our specialists are superb at diagnosing and treating even the most complex problems with oil furnaces. Whether the error is internal or with your thermostat, we’ll get to the bottom of it.
We know losing heat during the winter is stressful and potentially a threat to your safety—that’s why we show up promptly after you call and perform swift repairs.
At Nerthling’s Heating and Air Conditioning, we always provide an accurate quote before starting any work. Having your furnace break down is enough of a surprise—we see no need to startle you a second time with hidden fees.
Oil Furnace Maintenance
What’s the best way to get out of paying for repairs and avoid having to replace your furnace before you’re ready? Maintenance!
Your oil furnace has many different mechanical components that need to be checked and cleaned at least once a year. Parts like the pressure switch and blowers need to be checked and cleaned to prevent breakdown. Warm air systems also have an air filter that needs to be replaced.
Neglected air filters are the most common cause of poor circulation, leading to breakdowns. Filthy air filters negatively impact your indoor air quality (IAQ). Your flue, which expels exhaust, also needs to be cleaned occasionally.
Call us today to schedule maintenance online for a checkup with one of our team members.
Call Your Heating Experts Today
Nerthling’s Heating and Air Conditioning is pleased to offer expert service to all our customers in Erie, PA. Give us a call at 814-838-3600 today. We love creating healthy homes!
