NATE Hydronics Oil study plan

Define heat-loss fundamentals (conductive, convective, radiant) and calculate a room-by-room heat loss using U-values and design temperature difference for a sample two-story house

Trace a complete hydronic loop from boiler supply through zone valves, emitters, and return, labeling supply/return temperatures at each point

Identify the three legs of the combustion triangle and explain how excess air, draft, and stack temperature interact in an oil-fired system

Compare series-loop, primary-secondary, and zone-valve distribution layouts and state one application where each is preferred

Disassemble (in description) a retention-head oil burner into its major components: burner motor, fuel pump, nozzle, electrodes, transformer, cad cell, and air tube, and state the function of each

Calculate nozzle flow rate and pump pressure relationships, and select the correct nozzle size and spray pattern for a given firing rate and combustion chamber shape

Explain the oil delivery path from tank through filter, pump, and nozzle, including one-pipe vs two-pipe systems and when a bypass plug is required

Describe proper electrode settings, cad cell operation, and the sequence of a typical primary control trial for ignition

Perform combustion analysis math: convert CO2 or O2 readings to excess air, compute steady-state efficiency from stack temperature and net temperature, and interpret smoke number and draft readings

Adjust a burner for target smoke (trace to #1) and explain the trade-off between excess air, efficiency, and stack temperature

Identify boiler controls: aquastat (high/low limit), circulator relay, low-water cutoff, expansion tank, relief valve, and primary control, and state the setpoint or setting each typically uses

Trace a 120V control circuit from transformer through thermostat, relay, and burner primary control and explain what opens or closes at each step

Read and interpret a boiler wiring ladder diagram and redraw it as a labeled schematic showing line, neutral, and safety-control paths

Explain the function and failure symptoms of the low-water cutoff and relief valve, and describe the annual test procedure for each

Differentiate fixed high-limit, adjustable high-limit, and low-limit aquastat settings and describe how each affects domestic hot water priority and zone operation

Describe expansion tank sizing and the difference between a conventional tank and a diaphragm tank, including air-charge verification

Size a circulator from a pump curve given required flow in GPM and system head in feet, and explain how pipe size, fittings, and emitters contribute to head

Compare series loop, one-pipe, two-pipe direct return, and two-pipe reverse return piping and explain which balances best and why

Explain primary-secondary pumping, hydraulic separation, and when a mixing valve or injection loop is needed for low-temperature emitters such as radiant floor

Describe air elimination, expansion tank placement, and the function of air scoops and automatic vents at the system's high points

Plan a commissioning sequence for a new oil-fired hydronic installation: pressure test, fill and purge, air removal, burner startup, combustion test, and zone balancing

Describe purging air from a zone using a purge valve and explain why air-bound systems cause noisy operation and poor heat delivery

Explain how to balance zones using flow valves or balancing valves and how to verify temperature drop across a loop

Identify code- and safety-related installation requirements for relief valve discharge piping, combustion air, and oil tank and supply-line protection

Build a systematic diagnostic sequence for no-heat calls that checks thermostat, control circuit, burner primary control, cad cell, fuel supply, and ignition in order, and state the meter reading expected at each step

Diagnose common burner faults (delayed ignition, puffback, rumbling, short cycling, sooting) and name the likely cause and corrective action for each

Explain how to test a cad cell with an ohmmeter and interpret resistance in light vs darkness

Describe service procedures for nozzle replacement, electrode adjustment, filter change, and heat-exchanger cleaning, including safety lockout steps

Review all five domains using a self-made summary sheet of formulas, setpoints, and safety limits

Retake practice questions in each domain and log every missed item with the underlying concept it tested

Re-derive combustion efficiency, heat loss, and pump-curve calculations from memory without notes

Simulate a full service call from complaint to verified repair, narrating each diagnostic step and the measurement that confirms the fix