When you heat with oil, you’re using one of the safest and most reliable ways to keep your home comfortable through winter. Still, every now and then something unexpected happens — and you’re left wondering: Is this an after-hours emergency, or can it wait until morning?
During regular business hours, our full service team can handle all types of requests. After hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays), we have a limited number of technicians on-call, so we need to focus on situations where time truly matters — the ones involving no heat, safety concerns, or potential property damage.
Here’s a simple guide.
Call after-hours emergency service if…
1) You have no heat
Before you call, a few quick checks can help:
- Confirm power is on (red switch plate near the furnace or at the top of the basement stairs; check for a tripped breaker/blown fuse)
- Check that you have oil in the tank
- Verify your thermostat is set to Heat and above room temperature.
If your burner has a reset button, press it ONE time only (pressing it repeatedly can cause bigger problems). If it doesn’t start after one reset, call us.
2) You have no hot water
If your water heater isn’t producing hot water — especially in winter — that’s a valid after-hours call.
3) Two or more zones are not heating, or, a single zone where there is a risk of freezing pipes or a sleeping area
A zone that stops heating can become a comfort and freeze-risk issue in colder temperatures. Overheating can also signal a control problem that shouldn’t be ignored. To further clarify,
- A zone overheating to the point it reaches a concerning level (27–30 °C)
4) You have a water leak
Call after hours if you see a steady leak/stream, pooling water, or water spreading around your furnace or water heater. A minor drip that can be safely contained can often wait until the next business day.
5) You have an oil leak — even a small one
Oil leaks should always be treated as urgent. What looks small can become a bigger issue quickly.
6) You smell oil or smoke, or your CO alarm sounds
If fumes are strong or you feel unwell, turn off the emergency switch if safe to do so and leave the area. If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm goes off: get everyone (including pets) outside immediately, then call 911 from a safe location.
Usually not an after-hours emergency
These issues are often best handled during business hours unless they lead to no heat, a safety concern, or a major leak:
- One zone with no heat — especially in low-use areas (like a basement), as long as the temperature isn’t low enough to risk frozen pipes.
- One zone with too much heat (as long as it does not reach a concerning level, such as 27-30 degrees C).
- Noisy operation (as long as it isn’t severe or accompanied by smoke/odours)
- Short cycling (system turning on/off frequently)
- Uneven heating (some rooms cooler than others, but you still have heat)
- Requests for annual furnace servicing / tune-ups
- Thermostat questions (unless you’re not getting heat)
- Pipes banging or water noises in pipes (unless there is an obvious water leak)
When in doubt, call
If you’re unsure, call. Our on-call technician can help assess the situation and advise the safest next step.
Scotia Fuels provides 24-hour emergency service for our customers — nights, weekends, and holidays — because we want you warm, safe, and supported when it matters most.
If you’re not yet a Scotia Fuels customer,
please visit our Contact page or call 902-453-2121. We’d love to help.