Puff Backs

10/7/2015 (Permalink)

Soot webs resulting from a puff back

Now that the weather is cooling off, people will soon be turning on their heaters. This means that it's puff back season. Puff back occurs when a heater which has accumulated soot over the course of the year is turned on and the fan system distributes it through the ventilation system into the home or place of business.

Puff back affects oil-filed heaters. Soot builds up as oil burns and can store up over months and years. During a heater malfunction a small explosion can take place, causing puff back. This soot can be distributed through the ventilation system, affecting surfaces, fabrics and electronics. When the soot affects electronics, it can cause loss of functionality. Over the longer term, the soot can cause corrosion, short circuiting, and loss of functionality. If remediated quickly, damage can often be prevented.

If you experience a puff back loss, there are a few steps that you can take to prevent further loss:

1. Power down all electronics
2. Remove electronics from affected area
3. Do not turn on or charge electronics

Puff back is a potentially serious issue around the time when people start turning on their heaters. If you have an oil furnace, it may be a good idea to have it cleaned before you turn it on.