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Home Heating Safety Tips

Date: September 22, 2025

Easy steps to keep your heating oil tank, boiler and furnace working properly.

home heating Boston, MAWe’re entering one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Northeast, a time of brisk afternoons, fiery foliage and pumpkin-spiced everything. Fall is also a great time to give your home’s oil-fired heating equipment a look and make sure running safely for the coming season.

Here are some simple ways you can ensure that all your heating equipment is in safe working condition for the months ahead.

Give Your Heating Oil Tank an Eyeball Inspection

The leading cause of heating oil tank failure is internal corrosion. Over time, microorganisms inside the tank eat away at the steel, thinning the walls and eventually causing leaks.

You can’t see inside your tank, but several exterior red flags suggest internal corrosion is happening:

  • Moisture lingering on the tank long after a fuel delivery
  • Blistered or peeling paint on the tank’s surface
  • Rust spots or dents along the body
  • Small leaks or oil stains on the floor beneath the tank

Make it a habit to give your tank a quick once-over. If you notice any of these signs, contact Cubby Oil & Energy immediately to schedule a professional inspection.

Check Your CO Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous byproduct of combustion. It’s invisible, odorless and potentially life-threatening. Oil heating systems include safeguards like ventilation and automatic shut-offs, but it’s still critical to have working CO detectors in your home.

Place detectors on every floor and outside each bedroom. Test them monthly, replace the batteries twice a year, and follow your owner’s manual for guidance.

Please bear in mind that heating system malfunctions are far from the only reason CO accumulates. Other potential causes include:

  • Running unvented appliances for extended periods
  • Pressure imbalances that cause backdrafts near your heating system
  • Leaving a car idling in an attached garage
  • Operating a gasoline generator in a basement or garage
  • A blocked or obstructed flue

That’s why ensuring you have CO detectors in the proper areas and testing them regularly is so crucial.

Get on Automatic Delivery

A big part of keeping your home safe during the winter is ensuring you always have the premium heating oil you need to run your equipment. The best way to avoid an unexpected run-out is by enrolling in automatic delivery, which is free at Cubby Oil & Energy. Our team tracks the weather and accounts for your home’s historic fuel consumption to schedule your deliveries for you.

When you’re on automatic delivery, we can also more easily account for driver illness, supply disruptions, vehicle issues and other factors that customers may not know about when planning their own deliveries.

Arrange a Heating Tune-Up from Cubby

An annual heating system tune-up is the best way to ensure safe, reliable comfort all winter. Our technicians thoroughly clean, lubricate and replace worn parts while using advanced electronic testing to detect hidden issues before they cause costly breakdowns in the coldest months.

By checking draft levels, stack temperature, CO₂ and overall efficiency, we make sure your system is operating safely and venting properly. A well-maintained furnace or boiler not only lowers the chance of mid-season failures but also runs more efficiently, reducing fuel use and extending the life of your equipment.

When was the last time your home heating equipment received maintenance service from a professional? Contact Cubby today to request service.

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