Every heating season, I hear the same concern from homeowners: “My furnace shut off, and I don’t know what to do.” Often, that question leads directly to another one—“How long do I hold the reset button on an oil furnace?”
If you’ve ever had to reset an oil furnace, you’re already familiar with the concept of a reset button. It’s a simple but critical safety feature designed to shut the system down when something isn’t right. What many homeowners don’t realize is that while oil furnaces rely heavily on reset buttons, modern electric furnaces—like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace—approach safety and system recovery very differently.
In this article, I’ll explain how oil furnace reset buttons work, how long they should be held, why repeated resets are dangerous, and how electric furnaces like the MBVK eliminate many of the risks associated with manual resets. Whether you’re transitioning from oil heat or simply trying to understand your options, this guide will give you clarity and confidence.
What Is an Oil Furnace Reset Button?
The oil furnace reset button is a safety control that shuts down the burner when the furnace fails to ignite properly. Its purpose is straightforward: prevent raw oil from continuing to spray into the combustion chamber if ignition fails.
When an oil furnace doesn’t ignite after a set number of attempts, the system locks out. At that point, the only way to restore operation is to manually press the reset button.
Key functions of the oil furnace reset button include:
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Stopping oil flow after ignition failure
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Preventing fuel buildup inside the combustion chamber
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Reducing the risk of delayed ignition or puffback
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Protecting internal components from damage
The reset button is usually red and located on the primary control box, often mounted on the burner assembly itself.
How Long to Hold the Reset Button on an Oil Furnace
This is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions homeowners ask.
How long to hold the reset button on an oil furnace?
In most cases, the answer is simple: one firm press for one to two seconds.
The reset button is not meant to be held down continuously. Holding it longer does not improve your chances of restoring heat. In fact, doing so can create a dangerous situation.
Here’s what typically happens when you press the button:
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The control board clears the lockout
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The burner motor starts
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Oil is sprayed through the nozzle
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The ignition system attempts to light the burner
If ignition fails again, the system will lock out once more.
Why Pressing the Oil Furnace Reset Button Repeatedly Is Dangerous
One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is pressing the oil furnace reset button over and over. Each press pumps more oil into the combustion chamber. If ignition eventually occurs after several failed attempts, all that accumulated oil can ignite at once.
That’s how you get:
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Puffbacks
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Soot damage throughout the home
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Cracked heat exchangers
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Chimney damage
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Fire hazards
Industry safety organizations strongly advise against repeated manual resets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission explains the risks associated with improper furnace operation and delayed ignition events in residential heating systems (CPSC Heating Safety).
As a general rule, you should never press the reset button more than once without diagnosing the cause of the shutdown.
Common Reasons an Oil Furnace Needs to Be Reset
Understanding why you’re having to reset an oil furnace is far more important than knowing how to press the button.
1. No Fuel or Low Fuel Pressure
Empty oil tanks, clogged filters, or air in the fuel line are among the most common causes of lockouts.
2. Dirty or Faulty Nozzle
A partially clogged nozzle may spray oil improperly, preventing ignition.
3. Ignition Failure
Worn electrodes, a failing transformer, or incorrect electrode spacing can prevent proper ignition.
4. Flame Sensor Issues
If the furnace lights but the sensor does not detect a flame, the system will shut down.
5. Draft or Venting Problems
Blocked chimneys or poor draft can interfere with combustion and trigger shutdowns.
Each of these issues requires correction—not repeated resets.
Why Electric Furnaces Like the Goodman MBVK Are Different
This is where the conversation changes dramatically.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace does not burn fuel. There is:
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No oil nozzle
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No combustion chamber
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No ignition transformer
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No flame sensor
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No risk of unburned fuel buildup
As a result, electric furnaces do not rely on the same kind of manual reset button that oil furnaces do.
Instead, the MBVK uses:
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Electronic control boards
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High-limit switches
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Temperature sensors
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Automatic safety shutdowns
These systems monitor performance continuously and shut the furnace down safely when an abnormal condition occurs—without introducing combustion risks.
The U.S. Department of Energy highlights electric resistance heating as one of the safest residential heating methods when properly installed and maintained (DOE Electric Heating Overview).
How Safety Shutdowns Work in the Goodman MBVK
When an MBVK electric furnace experiences a problem, the system responds differently than an oil furnace.
Instead of requiring you to manually reset anything, the furnace will:
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Shut down affected heating elements
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Continue running the blower if necessary to dissipate heat
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Display a diagnostic code on the control board
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Resume normal operation once conditions return to safe levels
In some cases, cycling power to the unit may be required, but this is fundamentally different from repeatedly pressing a reset button on an oil burner.
Comparing Reset Scenarios: Oil Furnace vs Electric Furnace
| Feature | Oil Furnace | Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Combustion | Yes | No |
| Manual Reset Button | Yes | No traditional reset |
| Risk of Fuel Accumulation | High | None |
| Safety Shutdown | Mechanical | Electronic |
| Diagnostic Feedback | Limited | Control board codes |
| Reset Frequency Risk | High | Low |
This difference alone is one of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to replace oil systems with electric furnaces.
Troubleshooting Oil Furnace Reset Issues Safely
If you must reset an oil furnace, follow these safety guidelines:
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Press the reset button once only
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Wait several minutes before attempting restart
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Listen for ignition and burner operation
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If it shuts down again, stop and call a professional
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Never hold the button down continuously
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Never reset more than twice without service
Oil furnace service requires specialized tools and training. Improper handling can result in fire, smoke damage, or carbon monoxide exposure.
Why Homeowners Transition From Oil to Electric Furnaces
Many homeowners I work with eventually decide they’ve had enough of reset buttons, fuel deliveries, and combustion risks.
They move to systems like the Goodman MBVK for reasons that include:
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No fuel storage
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No combustion or exhaust venting
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No ignition failures
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No oil odors or soot
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Fewer emergency service calls
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Simpler maintenance
The MBVK also integrates seamlessly with modern heat pump systems, making it ideal as an electric backup or primary heat source.
For technical specifications and installation configurations, Goodman provides detailed product documentation for the MBVK series (Goodman MBVK Product Information).
Maintenance Differences: Oil Furnace vs MBVK Electric Furnace
Oil Furnace Maintenance
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Annual burner tune-ups
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Nozzle replacement
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Filter changes
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Combustion analysis
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Chimney inspections
Goodman MBVK Maintenance
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Air filter replacement
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Electrical connection inspection
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Blower and coil cleaning
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Control board diagnostics
No oil lines. No fuel filters. No combustion chamber.
When to Call a Professional
You should always contact a licensed technician if:
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Your oil furnace trips the reset button more than once
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You smell oil or see smoke
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The burner starts and stops repeatedly
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You hear unusual ignition noises
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Your electric furnace displays persistent fault codes
The Goodman MBVK service manuals outline diagnostic procedures for technicians and help ensure repairs are performed safely and correctly (Goodman Technical Resources).
Final Thoughts from Mike Sanders
Understanding how long to hold the reset button on an oil furnace is important—but knowing when not to press it is even more critical. Oil furnace reset buttons exist because combustion systems can fail in dangerous ways. Repeated resets are never a solution; they are a warning.
That’s one of the reasons modern electric furnaces like the Goodman MBVK are gaining traction. They remove combustion from the equation entirely, replacing manual resets with intelligent electronic safeguards.
Whether you’re maintaining an oil system or considering a switch to electric heat, knowledge is your best safety tool. And when it comes to heating your home, fewer reset buttons usually mean fewer problems.
