Oil boiler service in East Lothian
Oil boilers need servicing more actively than gas ones, because the nozzle and filters are consumable parts that wear out on a predictable cycle. An annual OFTEC service keeps the burner efficient, keeps the boiler reliable through winter and protects most manufacturer guarantees.
Gas Safe
OFTECAnnual oil servicing and tank checks
A yearly service keeps an oil boiler efficient and reliable, and spots tank problems early. Our OFTEC registered engineers provide oil boiler service across East Lothian and Midlothian, with a documented report each time.
Annual boiler service
A full strip, clean and reset of the burner, with a new nozzle and filter fitted as standard and combustion tested afterwards.
Tank and supply check
We look over the tank, the gauge, the filter and the supply line, because most winter breakdowns start there rather than in the boiler.
Written service record
A documented report of the readings and anything we have flagged, which is what manufacturer guarantees generally require.
How it works
Book your slot
Autumn is the sensible time, before the heating goes on properly for the winter. We will send a reminder beforehand.
Strip and clean
The burner comes out, the chamber is cleaned down and a new nozzle and filter go in as standard.
Test and set
The burner is set by combustion analysis rather than by eye, and the readings go on your report.
Tank check and report
We check the tank, gauge and supply line, then leave you a written record of everything found.
What is included in an annual oil service
Oil servicing is more involved than gas servicing, because several components are replaced every year by design rather than only when they fail.
- A new burner nozzle fitted as standard, since nozzle wear directly affects efficiency and reliability
- A new oil filter, with the de-aerator checked and cleaned where one is fitted
- The combustion chamber and baffles cleaned down, and the flue checked for soot and obstruction
- Electrodes inspected, cleaned and reset to the manufacturer gap
- The photocell cleaned so the burner can reliably detect its own flame
- Combustion analysis, with smoke and efficiency readings compared against the manufacturer figures
- The oil tank, gauge, supply line and fire valve checked for leaks, water and corrosion
- A written service report, with anything needing attention clearly flagged
If the tank is nearing the end of its safe life we will tell you at the service rather than waiting for it to fail.
Servicing oil is not optional maintenance
With a gas boiler, skipping a service is a slow loss of efficiency. With oil it tends to be more abrupt, because the nozzle is a precision component that atomises fuel at a set rate and pattern, and as it wears the spray degrades until combustion becomes sooty and unreliable.
A worn nozzle and a clogged filter are behind a large share of the mid-winter no-fire calls we attend, and both are replaced as a matter of course during a routine service. That is the main reason an annual oil service pays for itself in avoided call-outs.
The tank deserves the same yearly attention. Water gathers through condensation, sludge settles at the bottom, and both find their way to the burner eventually. Catching that at a service in autumn is a great deal easier than dealing with it in January.
Oil boiler servicing questions, answered
How often should an oil boiler be serviced?+
Once a year, and ideally in autumn before the heating season starts properly. Annual servicing is also a condition of most manufacturer guarantees.
Is the nozzle replaced at every service?+
Yes. The nozzle is a consumable part that wears and degrades the spray pattern, so we fit a new one as standard rather than only when a fault appears.
Do you check the oil tank as well as the boiler?+
Yes. The tank, gauge, supply line and fire valve are all checked, because most winter breakdowns begin in the fuel path rather than in the appliance.
Why does my oil boiler go sooty?+
Usually a worn nozzle, incorrect burner settings or restricted air supply. A service that includes combustion analysis will identify which, and correct it.
Will servicing keep my guarantee valid?+
In almost all cases yes. Manufacturers generally require a documented annual service by a registered engineer, and we leave you the paperwork.
Are you OFTEC registered?+
Yes. All oil servicing is carried out under OFTEC registration.
How long does an oil service take?+
Usually a little longer than a gas service, because the burner is stripped down and components are replaced rather than simply inspected.
What local customers say
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Page last updated: 27 August 2026