If your furnace kicks on and then shuts down right away, the cause might be the flame sensor in the combustion area of your gas furnace. The sensor has to detect flames, or the furnace shuts down. After a few cycles of this, the furnace may shut down for an extended time to let you know something is wrong. Here's a look at what causes this problem in your furnace and what a heating repair professional can do to make the sensor work as it should.

If your home needs a new heating system, a fuel oil furnace can be a powerful, safe, and reliable choice. These furnaces are cheaper to operate than most gas and electric furnaces, and because fuel oil contains large amounts of embodied energy, they can heat up your home very quickly during the frigid winter months. However, many oil furnaces (especially cheaper models) waste a significant amount of the oil they consume and are not particularly energy-efficient.