Oil Furnace Maintenance Checklist

Your oil furnace is probably something you don't give much thought to until it stops working – that's why regular oil furnace maintenance is so important. By having your furnace checked at least once a year by your local Trane Comfort Specialist, you can help ensure that the unit keeps running when you need it most. Read on for our oil furnace maintenance checklist, which includes a few tasks you can do yourself, and others that should be handled by a professional.

Oil furnace maintenance you can do yourself

Here are a few things you can do between professional inspection to make sure your unit is running smoothly:

• Visual and aural inspection – Look for signs of black soot around your furnace. Soot outside the furnace itself could mean that the unit is burning more than oil. You should also look at smoke coming from your chimney while the furnace is burning; black smoke could indicate that the oil is not being burned completely. Next, listen for any unusual vibrating or rattling sounds coming from the furnace blower. If you notice any of these signs, contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist.

• Clean and dust – Turn off your furnace, including the gas line, and wait for it to cool. Then, using a vacuum with a long hose attachment, clean dust from around the furnace. Removing this dust can help reduce allergens in the air and prevent burned dust particles from circulating through the house.

• Change the air filter – Remember to change your furnace's air filter as often as recommended by your operator's manual, or more frequently if you own pets.

For all maintenance efforts, consult your owners manual prior to performing these actions.

Oil furnace maintenance checklist for a Trane Comfort Specialist

Here is what you can expect a dealer to do during an inspection.

• Check the fan belt – As part of the regular inspection, a Trane Comfort Specialist will check the fan belt for cracks or fraying. He or she will also check to make sure the belt is tight and secure.

• Lubricate the blower motor fittings – To reduce friction and extend the life of your furnace, a Trane Comfort Specialist will lubricate the fittings of the furnace's blower motors.

• Clean the burner nozzle – Having a professional periodically clean the burner nozzle prevents clogs and ensures that oil can easy move into the furnace burner.

Schedule your annual oil fuel furnace maintenance

To keep your oil furnace burning efficiently, make sure to schedule an inspection before the beginning of the cold season. Your local Trane Comfort Specialist will come to your home to perform the oil furnace maintenance checklist above to make sure your unit works when you need it most.