Wisconsin Oil-Fired Furnace Tips

Trying to keep away from a season of expensive heater repair? A little preventative maintenance goes a long way. Keep your oil-fired furnace working all winter and for years to come with some smart strategies.

Wisconsin Heater Service Advisory

Max Rivard, co-owner of Rivard Brothers in Maine, heads up his company's plumbing and heating division. He advises preventative maintenance on all oil-fired furnaces to avoid paying extra costs in furnace parts and repair. "A furnace or boiler should last 20 years or more," he says.

With proper maintenance, today's efficient furnaces can last decades. Rivard, who cites "neglect" as one of the top reasons why heaters fail, typically charges $120 including furnace parts for a 2-hour cleaning; check out local furnace professionals in Wisconsin for local prices.

Furnace Repair for Utility Savings

When it comes time to replace your oil-fired furnace, you might be surprised at how much efficiency you see from newer models. "My typical installations have been old systems that were replaced to cut the fuel bills in half or more," Rivard says, adding that in some cases, customers have seen energy savings of 70 percent.

If preventative maintenance isn't enough and you need heater repair, the good news is that oil-fired models are typically less expensive to maintain than gas-fired. "The parts are standard and inexpensive compared to propane and gas," Rivard points out. Research heating repair professionals in your area and get a better sense of prices and options.