Oil Fired Hot Water Heaters
Delivering Hot Water for 65 Years
For every home in the Lehigh Valley and its surrounding areas, there is an appliance that supplies your domestic hot water for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, and drinking. The way your home supplies hot water can vary depending on your hot water needs. For many homes that prefer or require oil as their main fuel source, there are different appliances that can heat domestic water using oil. Our team offers residential services that have helped families with their hot water needs for decades, and we’re experienced with various water heating solutions.
How It Works
The amount of water your household needs will determine how large a tank you need. Most oil-fired hot water tanks can store 20 or more gallons of hot water. Some basic components of a hot water system include a cold-water inlet and a hot-water outlet, a heat source, a drain (for cleaning and maintenance), and a temperature/pressure relief valve. Cold water enters the tank through the cold water inlet, gets heated through a direct or indirect heat source, and is distributed through the hot water outlet when needed. There are two methods for supplying oil-fired heated water through your home: direct and indirect.
Direct Oil-Fired Hot Water Heating
In a direct oil-fired hot water heater, your oil reserve tank injects oil into the water heater’s combustion chamber at the bottom of the tank. A mixture of air and oil enters the chamber in a vaporized mist and is ignited by an electric spark. Once lit, it heats a long vertical coil inside the water tank, which in turn heats the water stored there. Generally, most tanks hold enough water for an average-sized household, although some tanks can be larger to ensure even large families never run out of hot water.
Indirect Oil-Fired Hot Water Heating
Indirect water heaters work similarly to direct water heaters, but with one significant difference. Instead of having its own dedicated burner, the fuel is ignited externally through a boiler sitting just next to the water tank. A set of pipes, or a heat exchanger, transfers heat to a coil inside the water tank. An indirect-fired water heater can also be tankless, as water is heated as it passes through the system’s coils. Although this setup requires a boiler, this method is generally more fuel efficient than direct hot water heaters.
Tankless Hot Water Heating
In some homes where moderate hot water is needed, a large tank is not always necessary. Great for couples or households of 1-2 people, a tankless coil hot water heater can be mounted on the wall, as it is so small. In this setup, there is no storage tank. A heating coil is woven inside the unit and heats the water as it passes through, then distributes it throughout the home. Instead of a traditional tank, the water is heated only when you call for hot water. Most tankless water heaters run on electricity and do not require venting, as they do not produce harmful waste gases. This setup can lead to huge long-term savings.
Benefits of Oil Fired Hot Water Heaters
Depending on your home’s hot water needs, we strongly recommend that you speak to Burkholder’s trained technician for a free estimate. They will help you decide which water-heating solution will be most beneficial for your home. Some benefits of using oil water heaters include:
- Hotter water temperatures
- High recovery rates (large volumes of water can be heated very quickly)
- Extremely fuel efficient
Indirect models can last for 30 years or longer with routine maintenance - Certain models make it perfect for big families
- Certain models, such as tankless coil
Why Does The Lehigh Valley Trust Burkholder’s
- Family Owned and Operated Since 1960: We’re your neighbors, not a franchise. Our team lives and works in the community we serve, and we treat every home like it’s our own.
- Factory Authorized Carrier Dealer: As a trusted Carrier partner, we offer industry-leading products backed by certified training and strict quality standards.
- 24/7 Emergency Service Availability: AC problems don’t follow a schedule, and neither do we. Our technicians are on call around the clock to handle your urgent heating and cooling needs.
- Transparent Pricing & Flexible Financing: No surprises. We explain your options clearly, offer upfront pricing, and provide flexible financing to help you stay comfortable without the financial stress.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: We stand behind every service we provide. If something isn’t right, we’ll make it right, guaranteed.
Are You Ready For The Days Ahead?
Prevent Breakdowns & Save on Energy Bills
- Contact Burkholder’s Heating & Air Conditioning for expert AC repair, installation, or maintenance. Call us today or request your service online!
