importance of cleaning your oil burner

A yearly cleaning is essential for having an efficient, reliable heating system.  Having your system cleaned and tuned before the real cold weather is always recommended to avoid an expensive emergency call and worst of all, no heat.
When the certified technician comes to service your heating system here is what you expect him to do:

Clean out the combustion chamber. This is where your oil mixes with air and is ignited, generating your home's heat.  In this chamber you will also find soot, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. A soot build up can cause corrosion and shorten the life of your oil burner.  The technician will typically clean this with a wire brush and a shop vacuum.  

Change the oil filter.  Located on your oil tank, this filter should be replaced.    A clogged oil filter not doing its job can lead to a clogged nozzle in the oil burner leading to misfires and your heating system shutting down.  

Testing your efficiency and making any necessary adjustments.
With special equipment your technician can test in your flue to see what ratio of fuel to air your burner is producing, adjusting the air gates to get the highest efficiency.  

When it comes to regular maintenance for your heating system it is best to be proactive.  Save money, produce minimal pollution, extend the life of your burner, and most importantly, have peace of mind knowing your heating system is cleaned and ready to keep you warm this winter.