Post-Storm Heating System Checklist for NYC Area Homes

Heavy snowfall in New York City can hide problems in your heating system. Whether you heat with residential heating oil or another fuel, it’s vital to do a quick inspection once the weather clears. Follow this practical checklist to ensure your furnace/boiler and fuel system stayed safe and efficient through the storm. We’ll cover key steps for all NYC boroughs including oil tank checks and delivery readiness.

Energo technician posing with heating oil delivery truck in New York

Clear Intake and Exhaust Vents

After a snowfall, first inspect all furnace and boiler vents. Even a few inches of packed snow or ice can block fresh-air intakes or exhaust flues. High-efficiency oil or gas burners rely on both vents to operate; if exhaust gases can’t escape, modern systems will shut down to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. For safety, shut off the heating system and gently clear snow from each vent with a plastic shovel or broom. Clear at least a 2–3 foot radius around the vent opening. Be careful not to strike or bend vent pipes. If a vent seems iced over, melting water instead of chipping it helps avoid damage. Checking vents after every major snowfall prevents hidden shutdowns and CO hazards.

Inspect Furnace/Boiler and Flue

It is always important to check your heating systems.

Check that your furnace or boiler is running smoothly. Verify the pilot light (if any) or ignition is working, and listen for unusual noises. If your system has a blower, ensure it starts without error. After a storm, also reset any safety switches that may have tripped during power fluctuations.
Examine combustion chamber and heat exchanger for cracks or soot. A heavy snow melt can introduce moisture into the boiler room, so look for rust or corrosion on metal surfaces and flue pipes.
Bleed hot water radiators or baseboards to remove air that may have been drawn in during startup. Check boiler pressure gauges and fill valves, topping off to the normal range if needed.
Check all safety controls and sensors. Test the thermostat and confirm it accurately calls for heat. Verify that pressure relief and low-water cutoffs (on steam boilers) are functional. Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as a precaution.
Annual heating system maintenance is also crucial. Energo recommends having burners, nozzles, filters, and vents professionally cleaned each year. A tune-up before winter can reveal issues that worsen after storms.

Check Your Oil Tank and Fuel Supply

For homes heated with oil, ensure your tank and fuel lines survived the storm. Clear snow and ice from the area around any above-ground tank and from the outdoor fill pipe (often located near the basement or yard). Energo advises homeowners to “remind homeowners to clear snow from outdoor fill areas” so pumps and pipes aren’t blocked. If your tank sits outside, shovel a path to the fill pipe and remove snow atop the tank; this prevents frozen caps and gauge imprecision.

Read the tank gauge. If levels are low (below ~¼ full) after a stretch of cold weather, call for an oil delivery now. Scheduling fuel early helps avoid the post-storm demand surge. In fact, properties on automatic delivery are less likely to run out, since their provider estimates needs before tanks hit. Will-call customers should check gauges more often in winter.
Ensure the fuel is the correct type. New York City mandates ultra-low sulfur No. 2 heating oil, often blended with biodiesel (Bioheat®). This cleaner-burning oil helps modern burners run efficiently. All NYC oil deliveries now contain at least 5% renewable biodiesel, rising to 20% by 2030. Using the right No. 2 oil keeps emissions low and systems reliable.
Inspect for leaks or damage. Puddles or oil stains in the basement after snowmelt could mean a tank or line leak. If you smell fuel or see drips, shut off the oil supply valve and call a professional immediately. Double-wall or secondary-containment tanks should be checked for interstitial leaks.
In Brooklyn and Queens brownstones, oil tanks are often indoors. Still, clear any snow from stairs and shared halls that service workers use to reach your tank. Energo notes that in tight Brooklyn neighborhoods, delivery teams rely on clear access details. Keep your shared or gated entry clear so the delivery hose reaches your tank without obstruction.

Keep Delivery Routes Clear

After a snowfall, snow-covered streets can delay your next fuel delivery. Energo experts advise keeping driveways, alleys, and street parking areas accessible so oil trucks can reach your home. In NYC’s five boroughs and nearby Westchester, narrow roads and parked cars already challenge delivery routes. When curb-to-curb parking or single lanes are snow-bound, providers may be unable to service your building. Clear a snow path to your fill pipe, and if your home is at a corner or on a narrow block, consider moving snow to broaden the approach. Doing this makes heating oil delivery — whether in Manhattan rowhouses or Staten Island two-family homes — much more.

Verify Thermostat and Safety Devices

Test the thermostat. Set it a few degrees higher than room temperature; your heating system should respond promptly. If it doesn’t, check its power/batteries and wiring. Modern digital thermostats rarely fail, but ice/snow can sometimes temporarily interfere.
Test smoke and CO alarms. After winter storms, HVAC systems and fuel pipes can be stressed. Press “test” on each detector to ensure they sound. Replace batteries if not done recently. These alarms save lives in case a vent blockage was missed or a leak occurred.
Check ventilation fans (kitchen/bath exhaust) too. Though not part of the heating system, blocked vents elsewhere in the home can affect indoor air quality during long heating cycles.

Plan Ahead with Reliable Fuel and Service

If freezing weather continues, stock up. Energo points out that Westchester County is 47% oil-heated – more than any other source – so its residents know that regular fuel supply is critical. Avoid emergency situations by switching to automatic delivery if you can, especially in Westchester or any borough where snowstorms are frequent. Automatic customers get proactively topped off based on weather trends. Will-call customers should call for a refill when the tank is about one-quarter full, not empty. Confirm that your supplier offers fair heating oil pricing and transparent billing, so a sudden storm-induced price spike won’t catch you off guard.

By checking vents, furnace components, fuel levels, and delivery access after every heavy snowfall, NYC homeowners can keep their systems running safely and avoid surprises in the cold. These simple steps – from clearing vent pipes to planning fuel orders – protect your family’s comfort and safety through winter. Energo’s team is always on call to help with any issue, from emergency oil delivery to boiler maintenance. Stay warm, stay safe, and remember to contact Energo if you need expert service.

Request Service.

Need help staying ahead of winter weather? Energo delivers reliable heating oil, expert system support, and fuel monitoring. Contact us today to schedule service, check delivery status, or learn about automatic delivery options.

Call: 718.435.2200

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