Does Heating Oil Produce Smells or Dangerous Fumes?

Heating oil is used in homes and businesses for–you guessed it–providing an efficient heating source. Heating oil comes from petroleum, or crude oil, which is processed into a variety of products, with the bulk of it going to energy carriers. These include different types of fuel oil and gasoline which powers jets and diesel engines, and for your heating oil system. Other components of petroleum are used to create other products such as tar, asphalt, paraffin wax, and other heavy oils. 

How Does Home Heating Oil Work?

Heating oil is ideal for heating homes and businesses because it is a low-viscosity oil. Viscosity essentially means “thickness.” Picture pouring yourself a glass of milk compared to pouring yourself a glass of honey. In this case, milk would have a lower viscosity. When a substance like heating oil has a lower viscosity, it means it has a lower resistance to flow. Generally speaking, lower-viscosity oils are more efficient, meaning your heating oil system does not have to work as hard to convert the oil to heat. These properties make oil furnace maintenance a fairly clean endeavor!

For comparison, the components in home heating oil condense between 482 and 662 degrees Fahrenheit, which is at a lower temperature than other forms of oil, yet at a higher temperature than kerosene. So, the viscosity factor and other chemical properties of home heating oil make it a well-balanced and efficient form of energy for homes and businesses alike. Naturally, its popularity makes heating oil delivery a very in-demand service!

Natural Gas

Natural gas is another method of heating your home that comes with advantages and disadvantages. Although it ranks higher than heating oil on the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency scale, there is a risk of exposure to a substance called carbon monoxide (CO). 

All combustible heating systems produce this colorless, odorless gas, however, faulty or improperly maintained natural gas systems can create CO leaks. A person exposed to this gas may feel tired, confused, or even have symptoms that resemble the flu. Not detecting a CO leak can have serious consequences that even result in death. 

Other types of natural gas leaks can sometimes occur when there is a problem with a homeowner’s heating system. Unfortunately, due to the odorless nature of natural gas, leaks are not always detected early. Side effects can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms. 

As natural gas is highly flammable, leaks can sometimes lead to dangerous fires and explosions. This is why CO detectors are so important.

Smells and Fumes Associated with Heating Oil

When it comes to CO, the dangerous, odorless gas, heating oil systems pose a much lower risk of leaking CO than natural gas systems. 

With home heating oil-related odors, the good news is that if your heating oil system is running as it should, you won’t have to deal with any smells at all! Having said that, there are a few situations to be mindful of. With few exceptions, odors are a sign that there is something wrong with your heating oil system. If you encounter any of the following heating oil odors or issues, be sure to correct the issue right away. You may even be able to troubleshoot the issue yourself by referencing your oil furnace maintenance manual. If you have any doubts, schedule an appointment with a licensed oil heater service provider.

• Dusty or burning smell. This sort of smell may occur at the beginning of the heating season and it is quite normal. Throughout the year, dust and dirt may have accumulated in your heating oil furnace, creating this dusty odor. One way to prevent this is to have your air filter changed on a regular basis. You may do so by following the oil furnace maintenance instructions on your home heating oil furnace or boiler, or by contacting a licensed professional for diagnostic oil heater service.

• Oil odors. As mentioned above, a correctly functioning heating oil system should not be releasing odors during regular use.

• Smoky odor or smoke in the air. If this occurs while the oil burner is running, it may be a sign that the exhaust fan is running at the same time as your heating oil burner. This can cause a smoky backdraft from flue gasses getting pulled through the exhaust system.

• Wiring or electrical smells. This smell may be caused by overheating. If you find your heating oil system turning on and off, it may be shutting down to prevent a breakdown. If this occurs, turn the heating oil furnace off for a few hours to allow it to rest. If the problem continues, call for an oil heater service.

• Metal or machinery smells. This sort of smell can occur when the boiler or furnace parts are wearing out or grinding against one another. This can be a serious problem. If this happens, shut off the machine immediately and contact oil heater service.

Safety Tips for Your Heating Oil System

Whether you heat your home with a furnace or boiler that runs on home heating oil, it is important to practice ongoing hygiene and oil furnace maintenance to keep your family safe.

• Annual inspections. Have your heating oil furnace and boiler inspected by a licensed professional every year.

• Carbon monoxide detectors. Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on every floor and every sleeping area in your home. Make sure it has a battery backup so that it can continue to monitor any potential emissions from your heating oil furnace even during a power outage. Continue to test the units throughout the year.

Maintaining your Heating Oil System

In between your annual inspections, you can do your part in your system’s oil furnace maintenance plan by keeping your heating oil boiler and furnace clean and monitored. Please follow our home maintenance tips here. When in doubt, always contact a professional!

The Star Home Heating Oil Advantage

Star Home Heating Oil has aggregated our own network of pre-vetted, reputable heating oil companies into one convenient system. Our heating oil delivery platform allows New York state homeowners in Long Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, and Queens to shop for the best heating oil prices with ease.  This means that customers like you no longer need to call around, haggle, or wait for price quotes for heating oil delivery. Instead, you’ll get matched with the lowest price we can find from local professional heating oil companies with whom we have established relationships.

Star Home Heat offers the easiest, most convenient way to find today’s NY fuel oil prices as well as to the surrounding areas. Book your home heating oil delivery today!