The weather in Duncanville, TX, is bright and sunny for most parts of the year. However, when winter arrives, it’s not uncommon for the temperatures to drop below the 40s. During this period, most homeowners turn on their furnace systems for comfort.
It’s certainly not a good time for your unit to start acting up. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop it from happening. Some homeowners find that their oil furnaces won’t start on one chilly winter night.
What can you do in that situation? The top choice for heating services in Duncanville, TX, lists everything you can do.
Check Your Thermostat
Many HVAC problems are not necessarily problems in the real sense because they are usually traceable to a wrong setting on the thermostat. So, before you start pulling out your hair because your oil furnace won’t start, you should give your thermostat settings a quick look over.
First, confirm that the batteries are fine. If the thermostat is unresponsive or twitching, that’s a clear sign that you should swap out the batteries.
If the batteries are fine, confirm that the thermostat is set to “Heat.” Next, confirm that the temperature you set is higher than the ambient temperature in your home. If your oil furnace won’t start a heating cycle after this, then there are other underlying issues to tackle.
Check the Oil Tank
Sometimes, the most obvious answer is the correct one. Your oil furnace won’t start because you have an empty tank. Check the tank gauge to confirm that you have enough oil.
If the tank is low or empty, you should talk to your supplier about a refill.
Check the Fuel Supply Line
Your oil furnace won’t run if it’s not receiving enough fuel. If you refilled the tank recently, but it emptied out too quickly, you should check the supply line for leaks.
In addition, you should check the oil filter to see if it’s clogged, as this could also prevent your tank from getting enough oil.
Check the Pilot Light
The pilot light is the focal point of the ignition system in older oil furnaces. The pilot light is responsible for igniting the burner assembly. If it goes out, your oil furnace won’t start.
You can relight the pilot light if it has gone out. The manufacturer’s instructions will tell you what to do. If the light goes out again shortly after, then you’re probably looking at an issue with the gas valve or thermocouple.
Reset the Furnace
Furnace systems can enter a lockout mode for different reasons and won’t start again until a reset. One reason a furnace can lock you out is a leak in the fuel supply line. Some systems will shut down if they detect a lack of continuity. This is a safety feature to protect your home from accidents.
Secondly, furnace systems can shut down if they detect blockages in the exhaust or vent system. It’s like running the furnace with a dirty air filter.
Vents can get blocked by debris, nests, and dead critters. You can remove them if you can reach into the vent.
The fuel supply line can also suffer damage due to age or mechanical accidents. You’ll need to replace the line completely before you can get back to using the system.
Resetting the furnace is straightforward. You can find the reset button near the burner motor. Press the button once and wait for the furnace to start a heating cycle.
If your oil furnace won’t start even after a reset, there’s an underlying issue you need to address. Don’t attempt multiple resets. You may end up flooding the system with fuel — a mistake you may regret badly, seeing how much these units cost.
Check the Burner Assembly
The burner assembly is where the magic happens to generate heat for your home. This is where fuel and air mix up to create the flames. If you have a dirty, cracked, or corroded burner assembly, your oil furnace won’t start.
Get Expert Help From Your Furnace Repair Experts in Duncanville, TX
If your oil furnace won’t start after your DIY efforts, it’s time to call in the pros.
The experienced crew at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is on standby to get your unit working optimally again. Call us today to book your appointment. We’re ready to help with your needs.
For further reading, check out our page on the importance of furnace maintenance.