Reply
Valued Contributor
Posts: 892
Registered: ‎03-18-2010

Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

I’ve had it completely down past 50 degrees for the past 2 hours. My landlord can’t get anyone out until tomorrow to see about it. I’ve Googled this, and all the answers are for furnaces that don’t produce heat. I’m freaking, afraid to sleep because of possible fire hazard.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 78,318
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

@grammarqueen.  Why don't you call your local fire department and ask for advice?  I'm sure there's something they can do.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Valued Contributor
Posts: 892
Registered: ‎03-18-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

I live in an attached garage apartment and the landlord lives in the main house. Our heating systems are separate, and he said his is working fine. He went down to check the boiler and nothing amiss. Boiler was just installed a couple of months ago. It’s got to be my thermostat, which was replaced about 3 years ago, so maybe it’s the wiring. He would have to have someone look at it, and anyway he can’t come into my apartment because he’s under quarantine because he was exposed to Covid-19 at work. I do have a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 78,318
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

@grammarqueen.  Can you cut off the circuit breaker to the thermostat?  I'm 99% sure the fire department would rather come and check it than fight a fire.  Call them and ask.  That's what they're paid to do.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,692
Registered: ‎11-12-2016

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

@grammarqueen   don't you have this ?

 

OIP (3).jpg

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,045
Registered: ‎11-20-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

[ Edited ]

@Kachina624   Great minds think aike!  After talking with the landlord I would have called the fire department.

 

I did have to do that one time when I lived alone.  I thought my freezer was smoking.  Turned out to be nothing but condensation but the firemen were helpful and kind.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 23,909
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

Does your thermostat need new batteries???    

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Valued Contributor
Posts: 892
Registered: ‎03-18-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

Red switch is at landlord’s side of house and he won’t shut it off because he needs heat. The registers aren’t getting hotter, and strangely, air temperature stays at 72. Told to just keep anything flammable away from them (I do anyway) and keep a window open a crack for any CO2 fumes, get boiler/thermostat checked ASAP tomorrow.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,534
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!


@grammarqueen wrote:
Red switch is at landlord’s side of house and he won’t shut it off because he needs heat. The registers aren’t getting hotter, and strangely, air temperature stays at 72. Told to just keep anything flammable away from them (I do anyway) and keep a window open a crack for any CO2 fumes, get boiler/thermostat checked ASAP tomorrow.

@grammarqueen - that's just crazy that your landlord can't get anyone out until tomorrow.  Every company has emergency services.  (Can't or won't?)

 

If anything happens, he's responsible.  Does your thermostat have adjustable settings?  Mine can be switched off or set to manual or automatic.  If all else fails, you can try removing the battery.

 

I have to agree with some others though - since your landlord isn't being proactive, I'd call the fire department and ask them for advice.  Better safe than sorry.

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,534
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil Heater Won’t Shut Off!

@grammarqueen - I do have a question though.  You say the oil heater (furnace?) won't turn off, but the temperature isn't going up?  If it's running constantly, you'd expect the apartment to be sweltering at this point.  You can hear the furnace running?  Does it heat your water, too?

 

Something is definitely odd - it could be that the thermostat just isn't working properly and needs replacing.  Without knowing what system you have and what thermostat, it's very difficult for anyone here to offer good advice.

 

Stay safe and hopefully things will be okay tomorrow.

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope