Restarting an oil furnace after running out of fuel or after a power outage isn’t always as simple as flipping a switch. Most furnaces are designed to not start if air is present in the fuel lines. This prevents damage that can be costly to repair. If you’re having a problem restarting your furnace, air in the lines is the likely culprit. Here’s how to fix the problem and start your furnace safely.
Determine the Cause of the Outage
In order to properly restart an oil furnace, you need to know why it went out in the first place. In the case of a planned outage, whether for the season or for repairs, no additional considerations are required. If you are restarting an oil furnace after running out of fuel, however, make sure your tank is topped up before proceeding. Finding out the reason behind the furnace shutdown can help you guarantee an efficient and seamless restart and protect it from potential damage.
How to Restart an Oil Furnace
There are two main ways to restart your oil furnace: resetting it or bleeding the fuel lines.
How to Reset an Oil Furnace
When restarting an oil furnace following a temporary interruption or power outage, the most straightforward way to handle this situation is to press the reset switch on the oil burner or the red reset button, which you can find on the control panel. If this doesn’t work, or if your furnace has been sitting for an extended period of disuse, the fuel lines should be bled manually to restart your furnace.
How to Bleed a Furnace
If you only know how to bleed an oil boiler and not a furnace, consider getting expert help because the processes are different. Here’s how to bleed a furnace:
- Put on safety gear first: Working with heating oil can be messy, so it is essential to put on safety gloves and glasses to protect your eyes and hands from any spills.
- Collect your tools: Assemble the materials and tools you will need, which include a screwdriver or wrench, a can of heating oil and a small drip pan or similar container.
- Turn off the furnace completely: Check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure how to do this.
- Locate your fuel pump: This is typically a small black box or circle with fuel lines running into it.
- Locate the furnace’s bleeder valve: On the side of the fuel pump, you should see a small fitting not connected to anything else — this is the bleeder valve. If you are unsure about where the bleeder valve is, check your furnace’s manual.
- Prepare the container: Place a drip pan underneath the bleeder valve, or run a length of tubing from the valve into a plastic bottle capable of holding at least 1 liter of fuel. The container will catch any spilling oil, saving you the time and effort you would spend cleaning up.
- Bleed the oil: Turn the furnace back on, and use a wrench to rotate the valve a half-turn to start bleeding. You might hear a hiss of air — a stream of oil will follow afterward. Keep bleeding the line, ensuring the fuel does not overflow, and press the reset button again. This should trigger the furnace to start.
If the furnace doesn’t start, or if no fuel comes out of the bleed valve, it may be necessary to call a professional for help. You can also try bleeding the oil filter — look for a small black canister with a red top. On the top, you’ll find a 1/4-inch bleed valve. Simply unfasten the valve for a few seconds so air can bubble out.
Though air in the fuel lines is the most common problem preventing an oil furnace from restarting normally, other issues can include damage to the fuel lines themselves, or issues with the oil filter. For assistance with these and other concerns, your best bet is to speak with a professional directly.
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