Common Issues With Your Oil Furnace

At this time of year, more homeowners have now turned on their furnaces due to colder temperatures outside. Especially mornings and evenings can get chilly in any regions of the country, and a well-functioning furnace is essential for keeping your home comfortable during this time of year. Furnaces that quit working are not uncommon after they’ve sat idle for months. In the following article, we will help you uncover the frequent causes of problems with your furnace.

Problem 1: When Your Furnace Doesn’t Turn On

One of the most common causes of a non-working furnace is a tripped reset button. You can fix this by locating and pressing this button, which is most often red and on the burner motor on most newer furnace models. If you have an older furnace model and the reset button isn’t easily visible, Arch News advises checking the main control panel. Pressing the reset button will shove more fuel into the heating combustion chamber. Only press the rest button once, because pushing it multiple times can flood the furnace mechanism with too much oil. Another frequent cause of a furnace that quits is a blown circuit, so be sure to check the fuse box as well. If you have an oil-burning furnace that stops working, often the motor burns out and will therefore need to be replaced.

Problem 2: Burners Don’t Produce Flames

When this issue happens, a clogged burner nozzle is the most frequent cause. The tip is usually quite narrow and clogs easily, especially with oil-burning furnaces. It usually gets clogged with water or debris and will need to be cleaned out before the burner will be able to produce a flame. According to Mother Earth News, a professional HVAC contractor should be able to complete this relatively quickly and at a reasonable cost. A burner nozzle is fairly simple and inexpensive to replace with most standard furnaces. Another common problem is a shorted-out transformer or cracked electrical wires needed to power your furnace. These will also need to be replaced for your furnace to power on correctly.

Problem 3: Your Indoor Temperature Is Too Cold

If you notice the burner running and the flame lit as it should be, it might appear everything’s working with your furnace. Sometimes the air in your home can feel too uncomfortably cold all the same, and this problem can often be traced to the condition of your air filter. A clogged and dirty filter will block the flow of warmed air and will need to be replaced with a new one. In the following post by Mother Earth News, the author discusses how to make sure you find and install the right size filter for your home’s heating and cooling system. If you’ve replaced the filter and your home still isn’t sufficiently warm, the fan belt may be worn out and will also need to be replaced. A final possible cause could be a malfunctioning fan, which most often happens in older systems that haven’t had parts replaced in years. If you have a relatively new furnace that doesn’t need any parts replaced, the problem may be within the duct-work of your house. Weakened or worn-out spots can disrupt air flow from your furnace to all the rooms. Mother Earth’s recent article discusses how the right air duct size will resolve many heating system problems.

Occasionally, insufficient airflow can be traced to an improperly sized return-air duct. One MOTHER EARTH NEWS reader wrote that, while painting, he removed an adequately large return grille in his home and discovered that a sloppy heating contractor had cut an extremely small, undersized hole behind the grille for passage of the return air.
One clue to improperly sized ductwork is a strong suction in the supply-air fan compartment. “There should be a slight suction around the fan, but not a real strong pull,” Richter says, noting that a heating professional will likely be needed to solve complicated ductwork problems.

Click here to see the rest of this article.

Problem 4: Soot And Smoke Come Out Of The Registers

When your heater system spews out smoky air, it can have a few different causes. The most common are clogged flue pipes or clogged chimneys. Cracked or clogged heat exchangers are another culprit in many causes. If the heat exchanger is broken, it will most often need to be replaced. Furnace maintenance on a regular basis will prevent these issues and a costly furnace replacement. In some instances, the door to the heating system inspection panel gets warped, which sends smoke into the attic crawl space or basement depending on the structure of your home. The HVAC system‘s fan then disperses the smoke through the rest of the house. If you notice the furnace is sending out dirty air, first check the combustion chamber. The following article in Mother Earth details how exactly to do this.

“First off, open the inspection door to the combustion chamber and place your palm close to the opening. If you can hold it there without discomfort, there’s probably no blockage,” Richter says. “But if it’s too hot for you to stand and smoke is puffing out, there’s something causing that heat to back out of the chamber.”

Click here to see the rest of this article.

Problem 5: Fuel Consumption Is Higher Than Usual

If you notice fuel for your furnace is getting depleted at a faster rate, this problem can be due to any number of factors. An incorrectly sized furnace is one of the most common causes, or you may need to have the nozzle replaced with one that fits the rest of the system. You may also need to adjust the system at the control panel or replace leaking duct-work. Taking these steps will make your heating system run as efficiently as possible, and it will save you costs on your monthly bill over time. Excessive fuel use may also simply mean your furnace system needs a good cleaning, and it can also come from cold drafts seeping in from poorly hung doors or windows that close with small gaps. Arch News discusses these steps of heating system maintenance in more depth.

If replacing, perform a load calculation to determine the correct size and install a properly sized unit. Make adjustments using instruments, said Markarian.
Have the furnace cleaned annually, stated Sweigart. Install the correct nozzle. Check and adjust oil pump pressure. Seal duct leaks. Insulate ductwork. Recommend that the homeowner invest in energy conservation items. Instruct occupants to keep doors and windows closed.

Click here to see the rest of this article.

Conclusion

To maintain a good working furnace and avoid costly future heating system replacement, professional routine maintenance is essential. Switching out air filters and checking fuses when your furnace goes out will resolve many of the common issues with your home’s heating system. An efficiently running furnace means that your home will feel the most comfortable during the cold winter months. To prevent buildup from clogging the hoses and other mechanisms, make sure your oil-burning furnace always has the oil filled to the recommended levels. Other than the basic checks on parts such as the repair switch, it’s also important not to attempt any do-it-yourself repairs on your furnace. Especially modern furnaces are more complicated on the inside, and many part replacements require specialized tools. Calling a professional and reputable HVAC company will get your furnace repairs completed in a timely manner and correctly the first time.

Oil Furnace Maintenance And Repair

When your oil furnace starts acting up, you will need the help of a professional. Be sure to contact Charity Oil for professional heating system maintenance and repair. We also offer heating oil delivery services that is of high quality and affordable.

Homeowners can prepare for the upcoming winter by knowing what fuel prices will be as well as what is predicted for the weather. A cold winter will require homeowners to budget accordingly and to find the best heating oil prices in their area. For the most affordable, professional, and reliable heating oil delivery service in your area, be sure to contact Charity Oil today. Contact us today or give us a call at (845) 470-1000 if you have any questions.