Do you have an oil furnace installed at your house?
Before the winter months come, it’s best that you make sure your oil furnace is in working condition. Extreme weather can have dangerous effects on you and your family which is why you need to keep on top of the different issues that your furnace might face.
Here are common issues that homeowners encounter with oil furnaces that you need to know. Who knows? You might need a repair or maintenance instead of a complete replacement.
It Doesn’t Turn On
A furnace not turning on is one of the most common problems with oil furnaces. This problem is likely because of a tripped reset button.
To fix this, locate the reset button which is usually red, and located it on the burner motor. If the reset button is not on the burner motor, try looking for it on the control panel. Press the reset button once to avoid flooding it with fuel.
Other reasons include a faulty thermostat connection or a problem with the gas valve. It could also be because the pilot flame needs cleaning. A burnt circuit or motor can also be the reason so you’ll need to get experts to replace it.
Not Enough Heat
If your oil burning furnace is on and the room still feels cold, then something must be blocking the oil furnace filter. Check your air filter to see if it’s clogged and dirty. If so, have experts replace the air filter for an efficient flow of warm air.
If the air filter is not the problem, check the fan belt of the supply fan. The fan belt may have worn out and will need replacement. If the belt appears fine, the problem may be the ductwork.
Weak and leaky ductwork disrupts the airflow. You can repair this using metal tape, silicone glue, or a duct. If you see that not all combustion gases go up on the flue, you’ll need the help of experts.
Produces Too Much Smoke
When you see your oil furnace producing too much smoke, check the combustion chamber. If unwarranted smoke is coming from the chamber, then there is something blocking your furnace.
The blockage may have occurred somewhere in the flue pipe, end cones, nozzle, or chimney. Clean the flue pipe and chimney if you see a large amount of dirt.
If the nozzles or end cone have damages, replace them.
If the combustion chamber is not the problem, then you’ll need to check if you need to adjust your burner. You might also need to see if your flue pipe fits your oil furnace. If the flue pipe is too long, ask experts to replace it with the right size.
Examine the gaskets around the inspection door to see if there are cracks or warps. Such can result in the formation of smoke. If this is the case, call for professionals to replace the gasket.
High Fuel Consumption
If you’ve checked and seen that your oil furnace is consuming large amounts of fuel, there are a lot of factors to check. First, make sure that your furnace is the right size for your property. Perform a heat loss computation to see if the furnace’s size is correct.
Look for any signs of leakage in the window frames. If there are, get an expert’s service. If not, inspect the nozzle if it’s the right size for the system.
High fuel consumption of oil furnaces may be a result of leaking ductwork. Have a professional check and replace them for you to avoid injuries. While you’re at it, avail of their furnace cleaning services.
No Flames
When you turn on the furnace and the burners don’t produce flames, the most common reason is a clogged nozzle. The burner nozzle’s tip is narrow so it’s prone to clogs. Clean out the debris clogging the nozzle to produce flames.
If you’ve cleaned the nozzle and it still won’t produce flames, you’ll likely need replacement. If that’s not it, then the electrical wires may have cracked or your transformer may have shorted out. Call for professional help for a more accurate diagnosis and solution.
It Goes Off
When your oil furnace goes off all of a sudden, it could also be because of low fuel. In this case, the fuel oil furnace and should start working again. If not, the thermostat may not be set up.
Another reason is that the oil furnace filter is being blocked so it may need cleaning. If so, take the oil furnace filter and remove the dirt and debris blocking it.
Ensuring that the oil furnace filter is clean along with monitoring the oil tank level helps put off the chances of the furnace going off. You should also check the electrical supply if it’s functioning.
If so, then the problem could be the controls. Check to see if the fuses are intact and the wires are not damaged. As much as possible, have a professional do this for you to avoid accidents.
Oil Furnace Makes Odd Noises
Homeowners usually encounter their oil furnaces making odd noises. These noises usually tell that your oil furnace is not performing well. Reasons for your oil furnace making weird noises include:
- Worn-out belt
- The motor bearings have problems
- Dirty oil burner
- The lines have air
- Access panels are loose
The best way to resolve oil furnace issues is to call HVAC professionals.
Produces Strange Odors
If your furnace produces a strange odor, the problem may lie in the chimney, heat exchanger, or nozzle. The combustion air may need cleaning to remove debris or dirt blocking it. You might also need to adjust your burner or the issue may be the end cone of your oil furnace.
You can fix this by removing dirt and debris clogging the chimney, heat exchanger, or nozzle. If the nozzle or heat exchanger appears to have damages, have a professional replace the.
These are the common issue that homeowners encounter with their oil furnaces. Proper maintenance of oil furnaces can help avoid this issue. If you’ve been experiencing a lot of issue with you oil furnace lately, then you might need oil furnace replacement.
Call Experts on Oil Furnaces
With proper care and maintenance, oil furnaces can last long. It’s only inevitable that minor issues will occur. Often, you can fix them yourself but calling for professional help is the best option.
Looking for an oil furnaces expert who can assist you with your oil furnace issue? Contact us and avail of one of our services today.
