Oilheat Systems 101

TYPES OF OILHEATING SYSTEMS

There are several different types of Oilheating systems available for homes in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Your local Oilheat professional is an expert in determining the right equipment for your home based on design, living space, individual needs, and many other factors. What works for you may not work for your neighbor ... that's why "personalized service" is one of the hallmarks of Oilheat.

HOW YOUR OILHEATING SYSTEM WORKS

Your home heating system is probably something you take for granted. So, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell you how it works.

Thermostat ... do your stuff!:
First, your thermostat must sense that room temperature has fallen below your thermostat setting. It then sends a signal to your burner's controls, spurring the system into action.

Oil gets misty:
Next, oil travels to the burner via a fuel pump. In order to burn, the oil must become a fine mist and be mixed with air (think in terms of a perfume atomizer). The burner then ignites the fuel in the combustion chamber.

Oil System

Different Ways to Make Heat:
At this point, things will work differently, depending on whether you have a hydronic system or a warm air system. (There are also hybrid systems, called "hydro-air" which include the best features of both system types.)

HYDRONIC SYSTEMS
There are two types of hydronic systems: hot water systems and steam systems. Both heat water in a boiler (made of cast iron or steel), which houses the combustion chamber. In a hot water system, the heated water is pumped through radiators or baseboards by a circulator. In a steam system, water turns to steam and rises to the radiators. Should the water level be insufficient, a low water cut-off feature will shut off the boiler. Nowadays most hydronic systems circulate hot water through a distribution network consisting of radiators, baseboard and/or radiant heating.
RADIANT HEATING
Today, radiant heating is the most popular form of central heating in Europe. People in North America and the rest of the world are beginning to appreciate its many benefits - comfort, cleanliness, child-friendliness, unobtrusiveness and energy efficiency. Radiant heating systems circulate heated water through special tubing embedded in the floors, walls, or ceilings of the home. These systems take away no living space as there are no bulky radiators or baseboard units needed. Radiant heating is being used more and more for specialty areas, driveways for example, and can be incorporated into amenities such as bench seating and bathroom towel warmers.
WARM AIR SYSTEMS
If your home has a warm air system, air is heated inside your home's heat exchanger. A blower then sends the heated air through ducts. The air will eventually circulate back to the heat exchanger, and the cycle will continue. Many customers prefer a warm air system because the ducts can also be used for central air conditioning, and humidifiers and electronic air cleaners can be added to these systems.

In the last step of home heating, combustion emissions exit the system via the flue pipe.

Regardless of the system in your home, you can rely on your local Oilheat dealer to keep you safe and comfortable while helping you get the most value from your heating dollars!

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