Troubleshooting Tips For Your Oil Furnace
Many homes rely on an oil furnace to provide reliable heat when the temperature outdoors plunges during the cold winter months. When it comes to longevity, most homeowners can depend on receiving 10 to 20 years of reliable performance. As with most major appliances, things can and do go wrong on occasion. Learning how to troubleshoot your oil furnace provides you with the information you need to determine if you can fix the problem yourself or if you should call a qualified technician for complicated repairs.
The Furnace Will Not Run
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The first thing you should do if the furnace does not run is make sure the power switch is in the on position. If the power switch is on but the furnace still does not run, check for a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse on the main control panel.
Sometimes a furnace will fail to run if the motor is overloaded. Locate the reset button and press it to start the furnace manually. The reset button will be on the burner motor if you have a newer model furnace or on the primary control if you have an older model.
If the furnace still does not run after pushing the reset button a couple of times, the problem could be a blockage in the fuel line. Try cleaning the oil pump strainer and oil filter. If that fails to work, call a local technician to inspect your furnace.
The Burner Will Not Fire
If the furnace runs but the burner fails to fire, the first thing you should do is make sure the tank is full of fuel. The lack of an ignition spark is another problem that will interfere with the furnace firing properly. Try pressing the reset button, cleaning the stack control and cleaning the electric eye safety if the furnace has one. If the burner still does not fire, you should call a professional.
The Furnace Fails To Produce Heat
If your furnace is not providing hot air to the home, inspect your registers to make sure they are open and clear of any drapes, carpeting or furniture. Sometimes a dirty air filter will interfere with a furnace’s efficiency. Change your air filters regularly to ensure the appliance works at peak performance. If these simple tasks do not produce the desired results, a technician may need to clean the burner, balance the system or replace a broken blower belt.
Preventive maintenance, including changing the oil filter every six months and cleaning the registers can help keep your furnace working at peak performance. Learning to make simple repairs can extend the life of your furnace and save you time, money and the frustration of calling in the professionals for unnecessary and expensive repairs.
R.F. Ohl specializes in heating oil delivery services. We guarantee our work and offer excellent financing options. Keep warm this winter by calling us and speaking with a live representative 24/7.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.