• A fuel oil furnace needs regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Furnaces that use fuel oil to heat a home can provide years of reliable heating, even during the coldest months of the year. However, there are a few ways to keep a fuel oil furnace performing at its best. Regular maintenance and timely troubleshooting when a minor problem occurs will keep your fuel oil furnace working well for its intended lifespan.
  
  

Use the Right Vents

• The combustion of fuel oil occurs in a closed chamber in your furnace, and it produces toxic fumes that can ruin the air quality of your home according to This Old House. Fuel oil furnaces require the right chimney or vent pipe to safely remove these fumes from your home. Pre-existing masonry chimneys are often used when a new furnace is installed, but if they are not sealed and plated with metal, fumes can enter the home through cracks in the mortar. Vent pipes are susceptible to damage from rust when moisture collects or soot builds. Have your furnace vents or chimney checked regularly for leaks or damage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or other serious health risks.
  
  

Inspect the Fuel Oil Tank

• Fuel oil requires a specially designed storage tank that holds hundreds of gallons of oil at a time. The State of Alaska Division of Spill Prevention and Response says that corrosion in the tank or damage to the fuel oil pipes can lead to a large oil spill, which may contaminate ground water and lead to expensive fines. Above ground tanks can be damaged when their supports break or if the ground below them becomes uneven. Underground tanks may rust or become corroded by moisture or salts in the soil, and inspecting the tank for this damage can be tricky. Keep an eye on your fuel oil levels to catch small oil leaks when they first occur.
  
  

Keep the Tank Full

• Homeowners often forget to have their fuel oil tanks filled during the summer months when the furnace is not in use. However, letting a fuel tank run empty increases the amount of debris and dirt that accumulate in the oil. The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News website says that this leads to stopped-up oil filters when the unit is switched on again in the winter. A clogged oil filter won't catch the rust and debris in the oil, leading to a smoky or sputtering flame. Very little heat will be produced if the burner can't burn the fuel oil cleanly, and the eventual soot buildup can damage other important components of the furnace.
  
  

Replace the Fuel Oil Nozzles

• Small nozzles are used to spray the oil in a fine mist for proper combustion. These nozzles are easily clogged, especially if water or dirt has contaminated the fuel oil. The G&S Mechanical Services website says that these nozzles are designed to be replaced. Installing new nozzles each fall as part of a regular maintenance routine will prevent an unwanted disruption in heating later in the winter.