Even homeowners who are typically quite good at estimating their home heating oil consumption and scheduling deliveries accordingly can find themselves running low on heating oil from time to time. This is especially true if your area experiences lower than normal temperatures since extreme weather will cause your boiler to work harder and consume more oil in the process. Thankfully, your home's boiler is designed to provide you with a variety of warning signs. These will alert you to the need for an immediate home heating oil delivery before your heat actually stops working altogether.
Loud Banging Or Growling Sounds Coming From Your Boiler
If you notice that your home heating system is running a bit louder than usual, this can be an indication that you are in need of heating fuel. This is because as your heating oil gets lower, air can get trapped in the fuel line. As this air passes through your boiler system it can result in loud noises that often resemble growling or roaring. Banging noises are also quite common when your boiler is getting low on fuel.
Burning Or Diesel Odors When Heat Is On
As your fuel tank gets low, the sludge that accumulates in the bottom of your tank can begin to mix with the bit of fuel that you have remaining. This can cause the spray nozzle on your boiler to become clogged and ultimately result in some less than pleasant odors when running your heat. If you spot this particular warning sign, not only should you call for an immediate heating oil delivery but you should also schedule a heating maintenance service so that you can have the sludge cleaned from your tank before it results in any serious damage.
Your Reset Button Is Being Tripped Multiple Times
There are a variety of issues that can cause your boiler's reset button to become tripped. For instance, issues with your fuel pump or thermostat may result in your reset button being tripped. This is your boiler's way of trying to protect the motor from being damaged before you can have your heating system serviced. However, if you find that your reset button is tripped multiple times in a row, this is typically caused by low fuel levels since the boiler may take several attempts at lighting when your fuel tank is low. Again, this is typically the result of sludge in the bottom of the tank clogging the spray nozzle and making it more difficult for the boiler to access the small amount of fuel remaining in your tank.
For more information, contact a heating service.
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