As a heating oil user, you will rely on your domestic heating oil to heat your home and water in the winter months. But in these warmer summer months, you may well have your central heating system switched off completely. Some people simply rely on an emersion heater in the summertime, although this is an expensive choice with which to heat your water.
As a petroleum-based product, domestic heating oil does have a noticeable and distinct smell – some people have been known to compare the smell with that of diesel fuel. But it shouldn’t be overly strong and overpowering or unpleasant when it’s being burned in a well-maintained and ventilated heating system.
So what does it mean if, when you turn your heating back on, you notice a stronger smell than usual? In this blog, we’re going to take a look at what it might mean, whether it could be cause for concern or just something minor, and what you should do about it.
Is it normal to smell heating oil in my home?
In general, the answer is ‘no’. A strong smell of heating oil could be an indication that there’s a problem, although there are some circumstances in which you would expect to smell oil. For instance, when you fire up your oil central heating system for the first time in a while, then it’s normal and pretty common, but the smell should fade fairy quickly. If the smell persists, however, you should turn your system off and call an OFTEC registered oil heating engineer asap to check it over. More about that later.
Another time when you can expect to smell oil is when you’re having your heating oil tank filled, or just after a recent delivery - it’s perfectly normal to notice a whiff of oil in the surrounding area. This is not something that you need to worry about, and the smell should disappear quite quickly. If it persists, however, it may be that there has been a small spill whilst the delivery was being made. You can clear up after a small spill by absorbing any fuel with cat litter, sawdust, or any other absorbent material (this must then be disposed of safely), then washing the affected area with hot soapy water. But if you have a major spill, it’s important to take prompt action to prevent it spreading and to ensure you minimise any potential environmental impact. To find out more about heating oil leaks and what you should do in the event of a spill or leak, click here.
A strong persistent smell – here’s what it could mean
When working properly and safely, your oil central heating boiler is designed to burn the oil efficiently, and to distribute the heat around your home. However, a strong and persistent smell could indeed be an indication of something more serious, and dealing with a strong smell should be taken seriously and the issue addressed promptly.
Such causes could due to your oil not fully combusting, if there’s a problem with ventilation, or your filters have become clogged. When your oil heating system is switched on and it isn’t operating properly, any one of these issues is likely to lead to a strong and unpleasant smell of oil, and is an indication that there’s a problem.
It’s important that, if this happens, you turn your system off immediately which is crucial for safety reasons. Also, open windows to ventilate the area. Take immediate action to protect yourself and others in your home and get in touch with your OFTEC registered heating oil engineer who will check your system, diagnose the problem and get you back up and running.
Leaks can occur at any point in the oil central heating system, and a strong smell of oil may well be an indicator that you have one. We would highly recommend that you check your system on a regular basis to look out for any signs of wear and tear such as corrosion, cracks or rust to try and prevent leaks happening in the first place.
Some leaks are easy to spot, such as dripping, or a pool of oil near your heating oil tank, but some are less obvious. If you do suspect you have a leak, it’s important to try to find the source – start at your tank, look for splits, and check for any signs of residue that may indicate that oil has spilled onto the ground. Then follow the pipeline back to your boiler, looking for any signs of oil on the heating line and on the ground.
If you do have a leak of any sort, first take measures to stop the spread of oil and catch any drips, turn off your shutoff valve, then contact our team on 01423 770 666 for help and advice.
Are heating oil fumes dangerous?
One thing to remember is that short-term exposure to home heating oil fumes isn’t as dangerous as exposure to LPG as it’s far less toxic, and breathing in fumes from heating oil poses little immediate risk. However, it can cause some short-term health symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and irritation to your ears, eyes, nose and throat. The good news is that these should be temporary symptoms, with no long-term effects.
And you can avoid long-term health risks by finding the source of any fumes and fixing the problem as quickly as you can.
How to get rid of the smell
If you have experienced oil fumes, for whatever reason, you will be keen to get rid of any smell that’s left lingering in the air once the cause has been identified and rectified. Good ventilation will most definitely help – open windows and doors to circulate air throughout your home and disperse the odour, and wherever possible use fragrant air fresheners.
Placing bowls of vinegar, baking soda or activated charcoal around affected areas can absorb odours – regularly replace them until the smell improves. And you may need to wash fabric such as curtains, carpets and upholstery.
Let's not forget that heating oil is a safe and effective fuel when used properly, but whilst oil-fired appliances are some of the most efficient you can get, they do need regular maintenance. Servicing your boiler annually, or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, ensures your system is protected against wear and tear. After all, prevention is better, and less costly, than a cure – cleaning up an oil spill for instance can be extremely expensive.
Put simply - it really can pay to look after your boiler so it can continue looking after you!