What Happens When The Furnace Runs Out Of Oil?
Homeowners can often feel that they are confronted with an endless number of tasks they need to accomplish. No sooner do they complete one task, when it seems they face two more that need to be done. If you are not fixing the fence or tackling a water pipe that is leaking in your bathroom, then you are cleaning your washer or changing some light bulbs in your home.
One important task on your list of to-do items is to make sure your heating oil is at the right level to maintain heat. Homeowners who choose will-call or who use the C.O.D type of heating oil delivery will have to check their oil levels regularly and make the call when the tank is about 30% full. Sometimes, life is just too hectic and you suddenly realize the tank is in danger of running dry. In this article, we answer a common question that many oil-heat users ask, “What happens when the furnace runs out of oil?“.
What Happens When Furnace Runs Out Of Oil?
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If your oil tank runs out of fuel, you may worry about the potential implications. For instance, you worry that your furnace will be damaged if it tries to run while the fuel tank is empty, in the same way that a car can be damaged if the gasoline tank becomes empty.
Will The Oil Furnace Be Damaged If The Oil Runs Out?
The good news is that your furnace will not be damaged if the oil runs out in your fuel tank.
Despite this good news, it is much better to ensure that your heating oil tank remains full. Obviously, your furnace cannot run if it does not have a supply of fuel. You will be facing a lack of heat until you get the oil tank filled again. Therefore, to prevent a no-heat situation, you should ensure that you have a constant fuel supply.
If you run out of oil, you do not have to worry about damage to your furnace. Unfortunately, it seems that homeowners tend to run out of fuel oil at the worst times possible. For example, if you run out just as the temperatures drop, your furnace will need to burn more oil. Therefore the supply will be used up more quickly. This can cause many problems, such as increasing the likelihood of illness when you are in a cold, unheated, drafty house. This is particularly true if you have elderly people or young children in the home.
You need not worry about damaging your oil furnace if you run out of oil. This does not create a safety hazard to the furnace. However, there are other issues you can face when you have an empty fuel tank.
Replacing HVAC Filter And Bleed The Fuel Line
When it is extremely cold outside, you may be faced with frozen water pipes. A burst water pipe can create many serious problems for you such as property damage, a need for costly repairs, and the growth of mold.
When you get your supply of oil, you must reset your furnace, and remember that this would be a good time to also replace the HVAC filter. If you have run out of oil, you may also need to bleed the fuel line. You will need to have a trained professional technician perform this task and start your boiler or furnace up again.
It is essential to bleed the line because there are contaminants that settle at the bottom of fuel tanks and they can be forced into your fuel lines when the tank is out of oil. These contaminants can clog your fuel line and parts of your furnace leading to the need for expensive repairs. Therefore you should have this service performed if your tank has run out of oil.
This type of service comes with a financial cost, so you should pick a good time to have your HVAC contractor to visit your home. It can be difficult to schedule an appointment that will fit your schedule, so you can avoid this type of situation in the first place by having a good supply of oil at all times.
Ordering Your Oil Supply
In general, you should order your fuel when your tank reaches the level of 25% to 30% full. You can avoid running out by scheduling recurring visits from a local fuel oil delivery service.
It is very important that you call an experienced professional technician to take care of any problems with the maintenance or service of your furnace. The technician can schedule a visit to ensure your furnace works properly and provides heat for your home.
Call Miller Oil Company For All Of Your Home Comfort Requirements
Miller Oil Company provides the best cooling and heating services in Hartford County, Connecticut. We employ top HVAC technicians who are certified and offer superior HVAC installations, repairs, tune-ups, and replacements. Every one of our knowledgeable technicians has the experience to correctly service your HVAC.
By working with Miller Oil Company, you will receive the best service costs for cooling and heating in the region. With our repair and maintenance services, you will find that your comfort and energy efficiency are improved and your home cooling and heating costs are reduced. If you require a replacement HVAC unit, we can suggest the most appropriate model for your house that is within your budget. We include a satisfaction guarantee for all of our work.
We also offer superior heating oil deliveries. You can choose from one of our oil delivery plans or financing options. This way, you can customize your oil deliveries to meet your needs. We use high-quality oil and all of our deliveries are fast and reliable. Give Miller Oil Company a call today to learn more.
Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (860) 745-0326 if you have any questions.