Any burner will become less efficient over time, hence the need for regular servicing. In addition, a proper service will ensure that the burner operates safely.
The heat exchanger, oil nozzles, photocells and electrodes are the parts that will eventually cause inefficiency. When these are replaced, it is important to use high quality replacements. Here's what happens to them over time:
Heat exchanger
Excess smoke and improperly burnt fuel can cause soot to build up within the boiler heat exchanger, slowing the rate of heat transfer to the central heating water. Obviously then, the cleaner the heat exchanger, the more efficient the boiler will be. Even a thin layer of soot (3.0mm) can reduce boiler efficiency by more than 8%.
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Oil Nozzles
Oil nozzles control how much oil is sprayed into the burner. They wear over time and this affects combustion. If they are not replaced, they could cause too much fuel to be sent into the burner, clogging it up and wasting oil. Nozzles are replaced as part of standard oil fired boiler services.
Photocells
Photocells can become glazed with deposits. Photocells detect whether the boiler has lit and are fundamental to safe operation of the unit. A dirty or glazed photocell may not be able to detect the burner flame correctly and may cause the boiler to shut down randomly. Boilers that frequently turn on and off are less efficient than those running for longer periods.
Electrodes
Electrodes wear and they also tend to become coated with soot and deposits. Since they produce the spark to light the fuel, worn or dirty electrodes can result in inefficient burning of the oil.
Having your burner serviced regularly by a competent technician who uses quality replacement parts will minimize breakdowns and ensure clean and energy efficient use of your oil.
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