Don’t be left out in the cold this winter
Noonan Energy offers ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for your home heating system
When the temperature drops, the last thing homeowners want (or need) is for their home heating system to stop working. For those who use an oil-burning furnace, there are a number of reasons why the system may fail; some common problems can be easily addressed by a homeowner, but others require a professional. When that happens, it’s important to have a reliable and reputable company, like Noonan Energy, available around-the-clock.
Maintaining your home heating system is essential to staying comfortable all winter long. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources provides a Consumer Tip Sheet that outlines oil burner maintenance requirements as well as ways to save energy (and money!) during the heating season. On the whole, routine and regular maintenance can keep your heating system running like a well-oiled machine. However, no system is infallible, and even with routine maintenance, it’s possible that you could find yourself without heat during the winter. Until help arrives, it’s important that homeowners understand the “Do’s and Don’ts” of staying warm:
- Do: Check your oil tank to see if you have fuel. Noonan Energy offers automatic delivery wherein your tank is automatically filled; you will never have to worry about your level of oil. Will-call delivery customers will need to call for an oil delivery, usually 24 hours in advance.
- Do: Make sure your oil burner switch is on.
- Do: Check your thermostat; make sure that it is set above room temperature. The fan mode should be set to “automatic” and the thermostat should be set to “heat.”
- Do: Check your furnace. Is it running? Is it warm to the touch? If so, the air filter may be dirty and blocking the flow of warm air.
- Do: Press the reset button on the burner relay once only. The reset button will pump oil into the burner chamber and, without ignition, it can accumulate, which could start a fire if the furnace does restart.
- Do Not: Let your oil level get too low. That’s when sediment can get sucked into lines and plug up filters, causing heating issues.
- Do Not: Try to heat your home with space heaters. According to the Department of Fire Services, while space heaters can provide extra warmth in a drafty corner, they are not designed to replace a household heating system and are often the cause of accidental fires during the winter.
- Do Not: Heat your home with gas or electric ovens. A gas oven, especially, can burn inefficiently, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do Not: Attempt to heat your home with candles. According to the National Candle Association, nearly 10,000 residential fires are caused each year by the careless or inappropriate use of candles.
If your home heating system threatens to leave you out in the cold this winter, call Noonan Energy for help.
