Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most. Something else? Call us. We are available 24/7.
- Be sure the oil burner switch is on.
- Set the thermostat above room temperature.
- Make sure there is oil in the tank.
- If your boiler has a low water cut-off, check the boiler water level.
- Press the reset button on the relay once only, then check whether the flame comes on.
- If the burner does not run at all, check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
- With a digital thermostat, check the batteries.
If your burner still fails to operate, please call 877-662-0045.
Regular tune-ups are the best way to improve your heating system. Besides saving money on fuel, a tune-up can reveal safety problems such as frayed wires, worn parts, or a blocked chimney or flue. It also removes the impurities that build up in your system and reduces the need for repairs.
Along with returning your system to peak efficiency, regular cleaning and tuning extends the life of critical parts like the heat exchanger.
Oil-fired equipment produces some soot, and it should be cleaned out every few years. When you have chimney work done, also have it checked for cracks in the lining and cleared of leaves and other debris. If you burn a wood stove, have the chimney cleaned every 2-3 years.
Birds sometimes nest in chimneys and restrict the flow of air away from your furnace. A chimney cap keeps out birds, leaves and rain without restricting airflow.
Always call for a cleaning and tune-up after having your chimney cleaned. Soot and debris pushed down to the base of the chimney may cause a blockage.
Here is a checklist you can easily observe, but remember: look, don’t touch. Even if you see rust or an oily patch on the tank’s surface, do not touch it. It’s best to call your licensed oil heat technician and let a professional take care of it.
- Are the tank legs unstable or on an uneven foundation?
- Do you see rust, weeps, wet spots or excessive dents on the tank’s surface?
- Are there drips or signs of leakage around the oil filter or valves?
- Do the oil lines run under concrete, or aboveground without protective tubing?
- Could snow or ice fall on the oil tank or the filter?
- Is the tank’s vent clogged or blocked by ice or snow? (Screened vents prevent insect nests.)
- Is the overfill whistle obstructed, or silent when the tank is being filled? (It should whistle.)
- Are there signs of spills around the fill pipe?
- Is the tank’s gauge cracked, stuck or frozen, or stained with oil?
- Is your tank more than 25 years old?
- Is your outside tank a dark color? (It should be painted a light color to minimize corrosive condensation inside the tank.)