In many ways, oil boilers can be similar to gas boilers. However, there are some key differences to know, and if your boiler runs out of fuel, air may get trapped in the fuel line and stop the boiler from completely working. In this blog, we are going to briefly explain how an oil boiler is bled.
When do I need to bleed my oil boiler?
There are two scenarios when you might need to bleed your oil boiler. These are:
- Air will become trapped in the fuel line if you run out of heating oil.
- If the pressure is too high or is continuously dropping on your boiler.
What do I need?
If you find that you need to bleed air from your oil boiler system and you want to do this by yourself, you’ll need the following equipment:
- A step-by-step guide to bleeding trapped air from your oil boiler
- A small container
- Rubber gloves and rags to mop up any spillages and to keep mess to a minimum
- A pipe wrench or an Allen key
If you attempt to drain the boiler on your own, you require several supplies which we mention above.
KEY TIP: Place a tray and a towel underneath your radiator, to avoid mess.
- Turn on the maximum heat setting on the radiators in your home and wait for the boiler to begin to circulate water. For approximately 15 minutes, leave the boiler in this setting.
- After that, turn off your boiler to stop airflow or water from circulating through the unit. Wait at least ten minutes for the boiler to cool down.
- Using the valve, turn off the nearest radiator to the heating boiler.
- Open the bleed valve with a screwdriver and allow all the air to escape until water comes out, then seal up the bleed valve again.
- You’re all done! Finally, check the pressure. The water pressure should be between 1.5 to 2 bars.
If you’re not confident in solving these issues yourself, that’s not a problem! Get in touch with an OFTEC-registered heating engineer to look at your boiler and they will identify any complications.
For more expert advice and consultation, or for information about our supply of fuel oils such as red diesel, visit our website today or get in touch with a member of our expert team!