Backflow is required to "protect public water systems from contamination due to cross connections." This means that water cannot, and should not flow from your house back to the water supply. These assemblies are required to be inspected, tested and certified annually, this information must be recorded with the local water authority.

A well maintained boiler can last for decades, but if you have a thirty year old boiler, it's not as efficient as those made today. Boilers designed in the past just couldn't anticipate developments in burners, insulation, and boiler core technology - in fact, many older boilers were designed to heat your house with the windows open!

A new boiler will save you money on fuel and maintenance, and is almost guaranteed to save you on space as well!

Basically, nothing. The same boilers are used for either system. Water boilers are plumbed somewhat differently, and of course are set to operate below the boiling point of water.

Steam heat is most certainly safe, and offers the advantage of being quick, clean, and free from possible leak damage. Steam heat is more dependant on factors relating to pipe insulation. While hot water systems are currently more economical to operate and maintain, you should get a qualified estimate of any conversion costs before considering a changeover from steam to water.

You should have your boiler or furnace checked and maintained at least once a year, preferably just before the start of the heating season. This yearly maintenance should include a thorough cleaning of the firebox and replacement of all filters. Oil heated boilers or furnaces should have the burner nozzle replaced as well.

First and foremost, your boiler will have a low water cutoff which will shut the boiler down if there's not enough water to safely operate. Many boilers have automatic water feed devices to maintain the correct water level in the boiler. Your boiler may have a high temperature cutoff as well, which will shut the boiler down in the event it overheats.

Unfortunately, the only way the homeowner has of knowing whether these safety devices are working properly is if they actually shut down your boiler because of a problem! We at Sal Maggiocomo cannot stress enough the importance of having your boiler - and it's safety devices - checked at least once a year, preferably just before the start of the heating season.

If your boiler shuts down, and you suspect that it might have shut down automatically by the low water cutoff or the high temperature cutoff, don't try to restart it, and don't try to add water or otherwise cool down the boiler! Call a professional to have your heating system checked immediately!

If you've run out of fuel - and it happens to everyone at least once! - your oil burner filled up with air. A good fuel service company will make you aware that this condition might exist, and will usually offer to "bleed" the burner and fuel lines for a nominal fee.

"Bleeding" the air out of the burner and lines might correct the problem, and occasionally, it might not. Fuel oil and moisture form a sludge in your oil tank which can get sucked up into the fuel filter, fuel lines, and burner if the tank goes dry. Make sure your tank is always at least half full, and be sure to have your burner and it's filters serviced yearly.