Troubleshooting Tips in Case You Lose Your Heat

Posted: October 18, 2021

You May Get Your Heat Back Without Calling for Service

A lot of people look forward to the fall season. The heat and humidity disappear, multi-colored leaves line the streets and another holiday season creeps closer. Many adults also love this time of year because they get a once-a-year opportunity to relive their childhood by dressing up for Halloween.

But while there are a lot of treats to savor during autumn in the Delaware Valley, there is still the trick of making sure you stay warm and comfortable when the temperature drops and the fall winds pick up.

With that said, here is a review of what to look for in case your heating system suddenly stops working one night.

What to Check If You Have a Heating Oil Boiler or Heating Oil Furnace

• Check to see if you have oil in your storage tank.
• Ensure the emergency switch is in the “on” position.
• See if a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has been tripped.
• Make sure your thermostat is set above room temperature and to HEAT. Check the batteries also.
• Press the reset button on the oil burner only once. Pushing it more than once could flood your system with heating oil, resulting in a costly repair. If the burner starts but stops again after a few minutes, you should call us for service.

What to Do If You Have a Propane Gas or Natural Gas Furnace or Boiler

You should begin by checking fuses/circuit breakers and make sure your thermostat is properly set. If you have a propane gas furnace or boiler, check the fuel level in your storage tank. It should never be below 10%. Ensure the emergency switch is in the “on” position.

There is also a reset button on gas furnaces that pops up when there is a problem; the button is designed to restart the blower motor if necessary. Your furnace may have shut down because the motor overheated or the electric supply got interrupted. If that happens, a switch in the furnace will “trip,” usually before the circuit breaker does. The reset button should then pop up.

If you have an older gas furnace or boiler, the pilot light may have been extinguished. If you’re not comfortable trying to light it on your own, please reach out to us for assistance.

If you have a modern gas heating system, it will have a more reliable electronic ignition instead of a pilot light. When an electronic ignition switch fails, the heating system will not start up. Dust and dirt in the area, along with a dirty air filter, may also cause a malfunction. Faulty control boards and faulty safety switches are also responsible for system failure. Do not attempt to try to repair an electronic ignition system. This is a job best left to a professional.

Count on Wilson Oil and Propane to Provide 24-hour Emergency Heating Service for Our Customers

If you have not been able to figure out why you lost your heat, please call us for service. Note: for a faster response, call us, do not email. Once we have determined that a service call is required, we will get someone to your home as soon as possible. Our goal is to keep our customers warm and comfortable throughout the heating season–whether outdoor temperatures are “normal” or in the single digits.

If you have a sudden breakdown and you are a Wilson customer, you can rely on us to be there to get you warm and comfortable again. For extra peace of mind, consider in one of our service plans.

We encourage you to take a look at our online troubleshooting guide. Please review it and then bookmark the page for fast reference in case you face a no-heat situation.

To avoid run-outs this season, ask us about our Gremlin wireless tank monitors.