Why did my oil heat stop working?

Common causes are an empty tank, an emergency switch that got turned off, a tripped breaker, a thermostat problem, or a burner that locked out because of a clogged filter or nozzle, an ignition problem, or a flame sensor problem.

How many times should I press the oil burner reset button?

Once. Manufacturer instructions such as Weil-McLain's say repeated presses deposit oil in the combustion chamber, which is a fire hazard. If one press doesn't start the burner, call a technician.

My oil tank ran out. Will the heat come back after a delivery?

Sometimes. Air in the fuel line or sludge from the bottom of the tank can keep the burner from running. If it doesn't start after the delivery, press the reset button once, then call for service.

How much does an oil heat repair cost?

The trip charge is $99.99. It covers travel, a full system inspection, and a written repair estimate, and is applied to the approved repair. The repair price depends on what failed, and you get it in writing before any work starts.

Does LegendAir repair oil furnaces and boilers in Richboro?

Yes. LegendAir repairs oil-fired furnaces and boilers in Richboro, Northampton Township, and nearby towns from its Warminster base. LegendAir provides scheduled appointments subject to availability, not emergency or last-minute service. Round-the-clock service is not offered.

Oil Heat Not Working in Richboro, PA? What to Check Before You Call

Summary: When oil heat stops, check the oil tank gauge, the emergency switch, the breaker, and the thermostat first. If the burner still won't fire, press the reset button on the burner's control once. If it doesn't start, or it starts and quits again, don't press it again: repeated presses can leave oil in the combustion chamber, which is a fire hazard. Book a repair visit instead.

Published 2026-10-27.

Quick checklist

Check the tank gauge before anything else
The emergency switch is often at the top of the basement stairs
Press the burner reset button once, never more
Smoke, soot, or an oil smell mean shut it off at the switch and call

Oil heat not working: quick checks
Check	What to do
Tank gauge reads empty or close to it	Call your oil company; the burner may need service after the delivery
Emergency switch is off	Turn it on and give the burner a few minutes to start
Thermostat is blank or set too low	Replace the batteries and set it to HEAT above room temperature
Burner is locked out	Press the red reset button once; if the burner doesn't run, book a repair
Smoke, soot, an oil smell, or a bang at startup	Turn it off at the emergency switch and call for service
Carbon-monoxide alarm	Leave the house and call 911 from outside

Service in your town

See the Richboro HVAC service-area guide, Warminster service information, and all service areas.

Start with the oil tank

Running out of oil is the easiest cause to rule out, so start there. Read the gauge on top of the tank. If it's at or near empty, call your oil company first.

A delivery may not be the end of it. When a tank runs dry, air can get into the fuel line, and sludge from the bottom of the tank can clog the oil filter or the burner nozzle. The burner may need service before it runs again.

Check the switches and the thermostat

If there's oil in the tank, these are next.

Find the emergency shutoff switch. It's often a switch with a red cover plate at the top of the basement stairs or near the burner, and it's easy to flip off by mistake.
Check the breaker or fuse for the burner once.
Set the thermostat to HEAT, a few degrees above room temperature. Replace its batteries if the screen is blank.
On a steam boiler, look at the gauge glass. If you can't see water in it, don't try to start the boiler. Call for service.

Press the reset button once, and only once

Oil burners have a primary control, usually a box mounted on the burner with a red reset button. When the burner fails to light, the control shuts it down and locks it out.

If the checks above didn't fix it, press the reset button one time. Weil-McLain's oil boiler manual says to press it only once, because repeated presses deposit oil in the combustion chamber and create a fire hazard. A burner should never be fired with oil in the chamber.

If the burner doesn't start, or starts and shuts off again, stop there and book a repair visit.

Signs to turn it off and call

Turn the burner off at the emergency switch, don't press the reset button, and call for service if you notice any of these.

Smoke, or soot around the burner, on the walls, or near registers or radiators
A strong oil or exhaust smell
A bang or rumble when the burner lights
Oil leaking from the tank, the fuel line, or the burner

What an oil heat repair visit covers

A no-heat call on an oil system can include checking oil delivery from the tank to the burner, the oil filter, the pump, the nozzle, the ignition, the flame sensor, the combustion chamber, and the chimney connection.

LegendAir repairs oil-fired furnaces and boilers. If yours heats through radiators or baseboard, our boiler repair page covers pressure, leaks, and odd noises. The trip charge is $99.99. It covers travel, a full system inspection, and a written repair estimate, and is applied to the approved repair.

If a carbon-monoxide alarm goes off, leave the house and call 911 from outside.

Oil heat in Richboro and Northampton Township

Oil heat is common here. About 24% of occupied homes in Northampton Township, which includes Richboro, heat with fuel oil, nearly double Warminster's 13%. Electricity heats about 38% of the township's homes and utility gas about 33%, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. Half of the township's homes were built before 1980.

Nationally, about 4.79 million households used heating oil as their main heating fuel in the winter of 2023-2024, and about 82% of them were in the Northeast, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Richboro is a short drive from LegendAir's Warminster base, and we've served Bucks County since 2004. LegendAir provides scheduled appointments subject to availability, not emergency or last-minute service. Round-the-clock service is not offered.

Authoritative Sources

Need diagnosis? Call (215) 317-6099 or book service. Planning an installation or replacement? Request a free project estimate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my oil heat stop working?: Common causes are an empty tank, an emergency switch that got turned off, a tripped breaker, a thermostat problem, or a burner that locked out because of a clogged filter or nozzle, an ignition problem, or a flame sensor problem.
How many times should I press the oil burner reset button?: Once. Manufacturer instructions such as Weil-McLain's say repeated presses deposit oil in the combustion chamber, which is a fire hazard. If one press doesn't start the burner, call a technician.
My oil tank ran out. Will the heat come back after a delivery?: Sometimes. Air in the fuel line or sludge from the bottom of the tank can keep the burner from running. If it doesn't start after the delivery, press the reset button once, then call for service.
How much does an oil heat repair cost?: The trip charge is $99.99. It covers travel, a full system inspection, and a written repair estimate, and is applied to the approved repair. The repair price depends on what failed, and you get it in writing before any work starts.
Does LegendAir repair oil furnaces and boilers in Richboro?: Yes. LegendAir repairs oil-fired furnaces and boilers in Richboro, Northampton Township, and nearby towns from its Warminster base. LegendAir provides scheduled appointments subject to availability, not emergency or last-minute service. Round-the-clock service is not offered.