Starting an Oil Burner

Oil burner manufacturers provide detailed starting and operating instructions for their burners in their user manuals. These instructions should be carefully followed when attempting to start an oil burner. If there is no available user manual, contact a local representative of the manufacturer or contact the manufacturer directly for a copy.

The procedure for starting an oil burner may be summarized as follows:

1. Open all warm-air registers.
2. Check to be sure all return air grilles are unobstructed.
3. Open the valve on the oil supply line.
4. Reset the burner primary relay.
5. Set the thermostat above the room temperature.
6. Turn on the electric supply to the unit by setting the main
electrical switch to the on position.
7. Change the room thermostat setting to the desired temperature.

The oil burner should start after the electric power has been
switched on (step 6). There is no pilot to light as is the case with
gas-fired appliances. The spark for ignition is provided automatically
on demand from the room thermostat.

Allow the burner to operate at least 10 minutes before making any final adjustments. Whenever possible, use instruments to adjust the fire.