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How often should I have my furnace serviced? |
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To maintain efficiency and prolong the life of the equipment it is best to have your furnaced serviced once a year. We generally suggest having it done in the spring or summer when it is not being heavily used. |
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Where is the reset button on my oil furnace? |
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The reset button is usually located on the burner. It is generally a red button (as opposed to a switch) on a grey or black control box that may read Primary Control. In many cases the reset button is labeled. Have your Service Technician point it out to you at your next annual service.
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I am new to oil heat. What is automatic refill and how does it work? |
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We will keep track of your oil consumption and deliver you more oil when your tank is about 1/2 full. We do this using a formula based on the temperature outside and your average usage. The benefit is that because you are using oil from the top half of your tank, you always have a reserve. There is no extra charge for this service. |
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What do they do to my furnace during a general service? |
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Our technicians check all the safety controls. They check the pressure of the gas, oil and/or water pressure (depending on the type of heating system you have). The tech makes sure all moving components are lubricated and replaces the dust filters (and on oil furnaces they replace the nozzle and oil filters). They also check for carbon monoxide and run an efficiency test. |
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Could my thermostat be what is causing the problem with my furnace? |
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Generally it is not the thermostat. The thermostat mechanism is a simple switch that turns the furnace on when the temperature drops below the set point. If it is a digital thermostat, make sure the batteries are new, and that if you remove it to replace them, that it is making good contact when you put it back on the wall. |
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How do I get more efficiency from my Electronic Air Cleaner?
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To help maximize air cleaner perfomance run your furnace fan all the time and keep your Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC) cells clean. The efficiency of your EAC is highest when the cells have just been washed. To keep from having to wash them too often remove the original pre-filter screen and install a one inch pleated filter inside the return air duct just ahead of the EAC. Just replace the pleated filters every three months when you wash the cells. |
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Should I replace my heating system? |
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If your equipment is over 20 years old then the purchase price will be offset very quickly by the cost savings from increased efficiency and lower maintenance. Not to mention the biggest benefit - the increased comfort! |
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I have no heat, what can I do to keep warm while I am waiting for my service tech |
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While you are waiting for your service technician, you may want to try to keep somewhat warm. If you do not have a fireplace to rely on, or any electric heaters, here are some suggestions. Turn on the lights; an Easy Bake oven cooks with a 100 watt lightbulb, the more lights on the better. Do a little cooking or baking; your stove can put out quite a bit of heat, so if you don't have holiday baking to do you can just turn it on and open the oven door. Eat something warm; a hot cup of tea or cocoa always helps to warm you from the inside. A hot bath or shower can also raise your body temperature. Keep moving; it may be a good time to vacuum or do somethng else aerobic to get you warm. Lastly, be paitent; we are on our way and soon you will be nice and toasty warm again. |
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