Oil Burner/Boiler Question

[DawnCt1]

I haven't had to turn the heat on yet this year. It has warmed up enough during the day so we have been comfortable...so far. Tonight its a little chilly. I turned up the heat, the burner for the boiler (oil heat) didn't go on. I went down stairs and hit the reset button. I heard a buzzing, it stopped but the burner didn't go on. I waited a couple of minutes, hit it again. nothing. I found another little button and I pushed that (didn't know what it was) and then I hit the reset button. It started right up. I noticed white whispy steam or smoke coming out around where the burner inserts into the boiler. It could be steam, it didn't have much of a smell or it could be light smoke I suppose. It would be awful it was smoke because the last thing I want or need is a "puff back". I am thinking it could be steam because obviously it has been off for a while and moisture probably accummulated around it causing steam. I shut it off just in case. I don't want to call for service tonight because I don't feel like getting anyone out of bed if its above freezing. I will call tomorrow. Would you leave it off if you were me? Or do you think its "naturally occurring steam" in a boiler that has been off? Thanks,

 

[monkeyboy]

pre-fire residue burnoff

 

[DawnCt1]

pre-fire residue burnoff

Really? Should I run it? What is it made of?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Since I am a big chicken when it comes to things like that, I would leave it off and call the service guy tomorrow morning...maybe it needs a cleaning or something is wrong, but I would not take a chance....Get the blankets out for tonight..

 

[monkeyboy]

Really? Should I run it? What is it made of?

not handy?

Call a tech to be safe

check batteries in your CO2 detector to be sure though

 

[DawnCt1]

Since I am a big chicken when it comes to things like that, I would leave it off and call the service guy tomorrow morning...maybe it needs a cleaning or something is wrong, but I would not take a chance....Get the blankets out for tonight..

I think that's going to be the plan. If I were going to be awake, it would be one thing. I grew up in Maine where we heated with two old wood stoves that burned out by one in the morning, so I am used to cold.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Hey Dawn, the picture in your signature, is that you in the middle?? In Hawaii, no less, if so, nice to finally meet you, so to speak..

Be on the safe side tonight, absolutely, keep the heat off until you have it checked out.. It is cold here too but I refuse to turn the heat on yet.....actually we just got home and we could see our breath in the night air..oh no, winter is coming to New England.

 

[DawnCt1]

not handy?

Call a tech to be safe

check batteries in your CO2 detector to be sure though

I'm a little handy. I guess I am more worried about my white ceilings and walls than I am about waking up in the morning. I think I need batteries for my CO2 detector. You didn't tell me what pre fire residue burn off is? Does it go away after it all heats up? I will call a tech in the morning.

 

[DawnCt1]

Hey Dawn, the picture in your signature, is that you in the middle?? In Hawaii, no less, if so, nice to finally meet you, so to speak..

.

That's me in the middle. DH in the lower right hand side and three or our four DS's. The oldest had to work but he is going next summer.