Your heating tank keeps your home warm and cozy through the winter. However, if you didn’t stock up on enough fuel oil before the start of the season, you may run out and find yourself lacking heat at the worst possible moment. In that case, follow these steps to restore warmth to your home quickly.

What You Should Do When You Run Out of Fuel Oil

1. Confirm You’re Out

First, make sure you’re actually out of fuel oil. Sometimes, issues with the storage tank or heating system can cause heat loss, so have an HVAC professional rule out those potential causes to avoid wasting money on a refill.

2. Call for Delivery

Once you confirm you’ve run out of oil, call your heating oil company and request a refill. If it's especially cold outside, ask for an emergency delivery to ensure your heat is restored quickly.

3. Fill Your Tank With Diesel

It may take some time for your fuel oil to arrive, so fill your tank with diesel in the meantime. Bring a container that can safely hold flammable liquids to a gas station, and get at least five gallons of diesel fuel. When you return home, fill your oil tank and wait 10 minutes so impurities can settle at the bottom of the tank.

4. Restart Your Furnace

Next, press the red reset button on your furnace several times to get it started. You may also need to manually bleed the fuel supply system by turning off the furnace and inserting a 1/4-inch nylon tube into the bleeder valve. Then, turn on the furnace and loosen the bleeder valve with a wrench, which will cause fuel to stream out of the nylon. A few seconds later, only oil will stream out, which means you should tighten the valve with the wrench and restart the furnace.

The team at Mull Bros Inc will keep your home cozy all season long with their efficient delivery services. Established in Wethersfield, CT, in 1945, this trusted HVAC company provides fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Hartford County. They also install, inspect, and repair heating and air conditioning systems, so they can handle all of your needs. Learn more about their comprehensive services online, and call (860) 529-8255 to schedule a delivery.