(NC)-This is the time of year when we flip the thermostat to "heat" then cross our fingers to hope that it works.

"Homeowners tend to take their heating appliances for granted," says Dave Frittenburg, president of the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) Ontario Chapter. "We just assume that they'll perform when called upon. It is interesting to note that we don't hesitate to take our cars in for annual tune-ups and inspections, but we tend to ignore the equipment that keeps us comfortable through -30º weather all winter."

Frittenburg says that annual inspections aren't expensive and they are often covered in an oil dealer's annual service plan for which customers have already paid. Most inspections last 30 to 60 minutes and involve a thorough cleaning of the unit. The burner, controls, and hot water heater are tested and the oil tank is carefully inspected.
"Inspections on oil heat appliances are even more important now," he explained, "because of current safety regulations, such as those implemented in Ontario by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority. These standards require that fuel oil distributors perform basic and comprehensive inspections on their entire customer bases. The regulations are intended to ensure that oil heat customers continue receiving the safest heating fuel and products available."

If a system is more than 20 years old, COHA suggests that homeowners consider replacing it. Even simply upgrading to a high efficiency burner will provide savings in energy and money.
More information is available online at www.newoil heat.com and at www.coha.ca.

By J.C. Carroll

Source: www.newscanada.com

For information on real estate trends in the Durham Region, contact Christie Stefan at www.mrschristieshomes.com