Oil boiler servicing and repairs
OFTEC registered engineers who know rural heating
An oil boiler that's serviced every year burns cleaner, uses less fuel and is far less likely to let you down on a January night when the nearest spare part is an hour away. Our OFTEC registered engineers service and repair oil boilers across the South West, from kitchen floor-standers and external boilers to oil-fired range cookers that run the heating. We check the tank and supply too, because a lot of oil problems start outside the house.
What an oil boiler service covers
Oil burners need more hands-on attention than gas. Soot and carbon build up, nozzles wear, and filters clog with sludge from the bottom of the tank. A proper service strips the burner down rather than just looking at it.
- Burner cleaned, nozzle replaced and electrodes set
- Combustion chamber and heat exchanger cleaned
- Flue gas analysis to set the burner for clean, efficient combustion
- Oil filter changed and supply line checked for leaks
- Fire valve tested
- Seals, baffles and flue checked
- Visual check of the oil tank, base and bund
- Controls, pressure and safety devices tested
Repairs and breakdowns
The usual suspects: a burner that locks out, a boiler that fires then cuts out, a strong smell of kerosene, black smoke from the flue, or no heat at all. Very often the cause is a blocked filter, a worn nozzle, a faulty photocell or water in the tank. Sometimes it's simply run out of oil, and yes, we've all been there.
Tell us the make and the symptoms when you call and we'll do our best to arrive with the right parts. We give you a fixed price for the repair before we start.
Don't forget the tank
Water gets into oil tanks through condensation and tired lids, and it causes sludge, blocked filters and corroded parts. Cracks, bulges and green streaks on a plastic tank, or rust on a steel one, are signs it needs attention. We look at the tank on every service and tell you if it's time to think about oil tank replacement.
Landlords and holiday lets
There's no oil version of the landlord gas safety certificate, but you're still responsible for keeping the heating safe. Since 1 October 2022, landlords in England must fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, and gov.uk names oil boilers as an example. We can fit CO alarms on the same visit as the service and give you a written service record for your files.
What is included
- Full burner strip-down and clean
- New nozzle and oil filter
- Flue gas analysis and burner set-up
- Fire valve and safety checks
- Tank, base and supply line inspection
- Written service record
Oil boiler servicing and repairs FAQs
How often should an oil boiler be serviced?
Once a year. Oil burners soot up faster than gas boilers, and a yearly service keeps them efficient and reliable. Many manufacturers also make an annual service a condition of their warranty, so check your paperwork.
Do you service oil-fired Agas and Rayburns?
Yes, oil-fired range cookers are covered by our separate range cooker servicing page, including Rayburns that run the central heating.
My boiler has locked out. What should I do?
Check you have oil in the tank first. Then press the reset button once. If it locks out again, stop there: repeated resets can flood the combustion chamber with oil. Give us a call and we'll take it from there.
Is my old oil boiler worth repairing?
If it's reliable and parts are available, often yes. If it's breaking down every winter and burning through oil, a modern condensing model or a heat pump could save you money. We'll give you an honest view, and our oil boiler installation page covers replacements.
Get a fixed price for your home
Tell us about the job and we will arrange a free survey.