Q: My heat doesn't go on. What should I check?

Here is a list of the most common items to check before you call for service:

• Be sure emergency switch is on.
• Check all fuses and circuit breakers.
• Be sure the thermostat is set 5 degrees or more above room temperature.
• Check to see if the water is at the proper level (steam systems only).
• Check the clock thermostat to see if it is working properly.
• Push the "reset button" on the burner. ONLY ONCE! If burner fails to ignite, turn emergency switch to "off" and call your furnace technician for assistance.

Q:What is the reset button and why should I only press it once?

Primary controls have a reset button. This button allows the homeowner to restart the burner should a problem cause the unit to shut down. (For example, burners may need to be restarted after a power outage.) Pushing the reset button should get the burner running, but if the safety switch shuts the burner down again, the homeowner should call for service. Homeowners should NEVER push the reset button more than once because it might cause excess oil to be pumped into the combustion chamber. This will result in a lengthy and costly repair.

Q: How often should I get my furnace cleaned?

Your heating unit should be serviced once a year to keep it working at peek efficiency.

Q: When is it time to replace my oil tank?

Home heating oil tanks last a long time. They are made of high-grade steel, fiberglass, or sometimes double wall tanks of plastic and steel, and can last for decades. Maintenance of the tanks and inspections prolong the life of the tank. You should talk with your Oilheat retailer about the potential need to replace your tank. He can provide advice on how to evaluate the tank, and replacement options.

Q:Where should my thermostats be mounted in my home?

Ideally, a thermostat should be mounted on an inside wall about five feet from the floor. It won’t communicate proper heating needs if it’s near a heat source, like a lamp or television, or if it’s in an area prone to drafts, such as near a door or window.

Q: Can I determine the age and life expectancies for a heating system?

One way to determine a system’s age is by checking the serial number; the date of manufacture is sometimes “hidden” within the serial number. Look for labels and tags near the unit. It’s possible that the installer tagged the system with the date of installation. As far as longevity is concerned, oil-fired boilers and furnaces easily provide 20 years of service if properly maintained and serviced. Many of these units last even longer providing quality service to the homeowner for many years.

Q: What is the difference between “automatic” delivery and “will call”?

“Automatic” delivery means that an oilheat dealer will automatically determine when a customer needs fuel by using degree day monitoring. The customer does not need to place a call to the dealer for a delivery. The dealer will automatically deliver fuel on a regular basis and the customer is assured of never running out of fuel. “Will-call” means that a customer will monitor their own consumption and “will call” the dealer when a delivery is needed.

Q:What is the average oil consumption of a household?

The Oilheat Industry has made great progress with energy conserv

ation. In 1978 the average American home burned 1,297 gallons per year. In 2005, the average number of gallons burned was 860. This is a 33.6% decrease per household! A new system offers exceptional efficiency – you could save up to 25% or more in heating and hot water costs.

Q: How much heat does an oil burner make?

The efficiency levels of oilheat systems can exceed 95%. For every gallon of oil burned, a whopping 140,000 Btus of energy are released.

Q: Where can homeowners go for help in paying their heating oil bills?

Families in need of assistance and the elderly can apply for fuel assistance (Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program - LIHEAP) through state agencies such as the Department of Housing & Community Development. Every state has different eligibility requirements that you must meet in order to qualify for assistance

Source: National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA)