Ameer Randolph
If your furnace has stopped working due to an empty fuel tank, there's no need to panic about any damage to your furnace. However, it is important to get it up and running again, especially during cold weather. The first step is to refill the fuel tank and then reset the furnace. If it still doesn't work, you may need to bleed the fuel line to get rid of any air or contaminants that have built up. This involves locating the bleeder valve, placing a container underneath to catch any oil waste, and then loosening the valve to release the air and oil. Once a steady stream of oil is flowing, tighten the valve and turn on the furnace.
How to start a furnace after emptying the fuel line
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Refill the fuel tank |
| Step 2 | Restart the furnace by hitting the reset button |
| Step 3 | If the furnace doesn't start, bleed the fuel line |
| Step 4 | Locate the bleeder valve near the fuel pump |
| Step 5 | Place a container to catch the oil waste that will drain out |
| Step 6 | Using a screwdriver or wrench, slowly open the bleeder valve counterclockwise |
| Step 7 | Close the bleeder valve by turning it clockwise once there is a steady stream of oil without air bubbles |
| Step 8 | Restart the furnace |
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What You'll Learn
Refill the fuel tank
Refilling the fuel tank is the first step in getting your furnace up and running again. It is important to note that the only type of furnace you can bleed and restart is an oil furnace. If you have a gas furnace, or you are unsure what type of furnace you have, do not attempt to bleed the heating system yourself.
Before you refill the tank, it is recommended to replace the fuel filter, as an empty fuel tank can cause sediment and debris to accumulate. Refer to your furnace's manual for guidance on locating and changing the filter.
Now, you can refill your oil tank. Use a can of heating oil or contact your oil supplier for a delivery. Be cautious not to overfill the tank; most tanks have a gauge to indicate the proper level. It is generally recommended to refill your oil tank when it reaches 25-30% full.
Once the tank is refilled, you can try to restart your furnace by hitting the reset button. If the furnace doesn't kick back on, you may need to bleed and restart it manually. This is done to get the air out of your fuel lines after your tank has run empty.
If you are unsure about any of these steps or feel uncomfortable performing them yourself, it is best to contact a professional for assistance.
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Bleed the fuel line
Bleeding the fuel line is only possible and necessary for oil furnaces. If you have a gas furnace, do not attempt to bleed the heating system yourself. If you are unsure what type of furnace you have, do not try to bleed the fuel line.
To bleed the fuel line of an oil furnace, you will need to locate the bleeder valve, which is typically a small hexagonal or square nut. This is usually found near the fuel line or oil pump. You will need to place a small bucket or pan under the bleeder valve to catch any oil that spills out. It is important to wear safety gloves and glasses when working with heating oil, as it can be messy, and spills can be dangerous.
Using a screwdriver or wrench, slowly open the bleeder valve in a counter-clockwise direction. You will hear a hiss of air, followed by a stream of oil. Let the air and residual oil flow until you see a steady stream of pure oil without any air bubbles. This is the process of bleeding the line. Once you have a steady flow of oil, carefully close the bleeder valve by turning it clockwise.
If the furnace does not restart after bleeding the line, you may need to reset the furnace by pressing the "Reset" button. If this does not work, you may need to call a professional to inspect the furnace for a clog, damaged fuel line, or pump issue.
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Reset the furnace
Resetting a furnace is a simple process, but it can vary depending on the type of furnace you have. For example, the process for resetting an oil furnace differs from that of a gas furnace.
Resetting an Oil Furnace
If your oil furnace has shut down due to a lack of fuel, you must first refill the fuel tank. Once the tank is refilled, locate the reset button on your furnace. It is usually found inside the blower compartment, on the side of the blower motor, or on the top of the rollout switches on either side of the burner box. Press the reset button to restart the furnace. If your furnace does not restart, you may need to bleed the furnace manually.
Resetting a Gas Furnace
To reset a gas furnace, start by turning off the power supply and the main gas supply. Leave the pilot gas supply line on. Ensure that the pilot light is out. Relight the pilot light by holding a lit match to the pilot flame jet's opening. Turn the circuit breaker back on, followed by the main gas supply. Finally, locate the reset button and press it to reset the furnace.
Troubleshooting
If your furnace continues to experience issues after resetting, it is recommended to consult a professional for assistance. Some potential issues could be related to the fuel filter, air filter, flame sensor, or other components. Additionally, ensure that there are no leaks or water on or around the furnace, as this can cause safety hazards.
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Turn the power back on
Once you have refilled your oil tank, you can turn the power back on at the furnace or circuit breaker.
If your furnace doesn't kick back on after refilling the tank, you may need to bleed and restart your furnace manually. This is a process of getting the air out of your fuel lines after your tank has run empty.
If you are not confident in handling this process yourself, you can hire a professional to do it for you. However, if you choose to do it yourself, you will need to locate the bleeder valve, which is usually a small hexagonal or square nut. It is often located near the fuel line or oil pump, but you can consult your furnace's manual if you are unsure.
Position a container or bucket under the bleeder valve to catch any spilled oil. This will prevent oil from dripping onto your floor and creating a mess. You can also attach a 1/4-inch nylon tube to the bleeder valve and place the other end in your bucket to prevent splashing and spilling.
Using your screwdriver or wrench, slowly open the bleeder valve counterclockwise. Be prepared for a hiss of air followed by a stream of oil. Let the air and residual oil flow until you see a steady stream of pure oil without any air bubbles. Once you've eliminated all the air from the line and have a steady flow of oil, carefully close the bleeder valve by turning it clockwise.
Now that you've bled the line, you can turn the power back on at the furnace or circuit breaker. Then, set your thermostat to a higher temperature to initiate the heating process. Your furnace should now ignite and begin distributing warm air.
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Light the pilot
If you have an old-school furnace with a pilot light, it may be a sign that it needs to be relit. This is not a difficult or dangerous fix, but you must prioritise safety throughout the process.
First, you need to locate the pilot light. The pilot light is a small burner that lights the larger furnace burners, and you can usually find it at the bottom of the furnace. If it's on, you should be able to see a small flame. Your pilot light might have gone out due to a draft, and you’ll need to relight it to get your furnace working again.
Before you relight the pilot, make sure your furnace is connected to its electric and gas sources. If it is, and the pilot light is out, turn off the furnace and wait five minutes for the gas to dissipate. Find the switch near the bottom of your furnace, which normally says “pilot”, “on” and “off”. Once you’ve turned it off, you have to wait for five minutes so that all the gas can dissipate. Failing to wait long enough could result in the gas not fully dissipating, which can cause fires when relighting the pilot.
Next, relight the pilot. If your furnace has an ignition button, press the small button while you press the electric ignition. The pilot light should light, but keep holding the button down for about a minute. If it doesn’t have an electric ignition, turn the switch or knob to “Pilot” and hold down the reset button. Bring a flame close to the pilot light opening using a long match or a lighter.
If your pilot does not stay lit after three tries, turn off the power and gas to the furnace and consult a furnace technician.
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Frequently asked questions
You should reset your furnace by hitting the reset button. If your furnace does not start after this, you may need to bleed the fuel line.
First, locate the bleeder valve. This is usually found near the fuel pump and is a small hexagonal or square nut. Place a container or bucket underneath the bleeder valve to catch any oil that may spill. Using a screwdriver or wrench, slowly open the bleeder valve counterclockwise. Close the valve once you see a steady stream of oil without any air bubbles.
After bleeding the line, you can now restart your furnace. Turn the power back on and set your thermostat to a higher temperature to initiate the heating process.
It is important to wear safety gloves and glasses when working with heating oil to protect your hands and eyes from any spills. You should also ensure that the area around your furnace is well-ventilated and free of any gas or water leaks.
If you are unsure about any part of the process, it is best to consult a professional for assistance. You can contact a furnace technician or an HVAC contractor to help you with bleeding the fuel line and restarting your furnace.
