How does furnace efficiency relate to soot production in an oil furnace?

The relationship between furnace efficiency and soot production is primarily influenced by the combustion process within the oil furnace. When an oil furnace operates at lower efficiency, it typically indicates incomplete combustion of the oil. This incomplete combustion results in the formation of soot, as not all fuel is effectively converted into heat energy.

In an efficient system, the combustion process is optimized, leading to a more complete burning of the fuel, which minimizes the formation of byproducts like soot. Therefore, as efficiency increases, soot production generally decreases because more of the oil being burned is fully combusted, producing less residue.

Conversely, when a furnace runs inefficiently, it may struggle to maintain ideal combustion conditions, leading to unburned oil particles that condense into soot. Hence, lower efficiency correlates directly with higher soot production, making it clear how the two variables are related.