Do you know that tiny spark that starts the whole heating show in your gas furnace? That’s the pilot light. The pilot light ignites the burners in a gas furnace, allowing it to produce heat, and It plays a key role in starting and maintaining the furnace’s heating cycle.
Knowing how to relight a pilot light is a real lifesaver for you. It’ll keep your home toasty, save you some cash on service calls, and even prevent bigger headaches down the road.
Common Reasons a Furnace Pilot Light Goes Out
So, why does this little flame decide to call it quits sometimes? Well, there are a few reasons:
Age of the Heating Unit
Your furnace might be getting a bit long in the tooth. That’s because older furnaces typically rely on a continuously burning pilot light, unlike modern systems that use electronic ignition. Over time, components in these older models can be a bit finicky, with parts wearing out and generating frequent pilot light outages.
Parts such as the thermocouple or gas valve can deteriorate, making it harder to maintain a stable flame. Regular checks on these parts can prevent the pilot light from going out unexpectedly.
Ventilation Problems
Airflow issues can blow out that flame faster than you can say “brrr.” Even a small draft from poor ductwork or leaks can put out the flame.
Also, you may have ventilation problems if your flue is not installed properly. An improperly sized or positioned flue may make a mess of the airflow, resulting in the pilot light going out.
We recommend addressing these ventilation issues and inspecting for air leaks to help maintain a consistent pilot light.
Thermocouple Issues
There’s this gizmo called a thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that catches if the pilot light is burning. If the flame goes out, the thermocouple shuts off the gas valve to prevent leaks.
However, if it’s not working right, it might cut off the gas even when it shouldn’t (when the pilot light is still on), causing the flame to go out. Replacing a faulty thermocouple can resolve this issue and help your furnace work as it should.
Problems With the Gas Valve or Fuel Supply
A functioning gas valve is another important component to keep your pilot light burning. Problems with the valve may restrict the gas flow, leading to outages. Sometimes, the valve isn’t fully open or damaged, limiting the gas supply.
Similarly, if you have a low fuel supply, this can lead the pilot light to flicker or blow out completely. Regularly checking the gas valve and maintaining an adequate fuel supply can help avoid these issues.
Broken Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger moves heat from the burning gas to the air circulated through your home. If the heat exchanger is on the fritz, it can mess with the whole combustion process.
A cracked heat exchanger can generate incomplete combustion, which impacts the pilot light’s stability. So if you have issues with the heat exchanger, we recommend fixing it right away to maintain both safety and efficient operation of your furnace.
How to Relight a Pilot Light in Your Furnace
Now, let’s get down to business. How do you relight a pilot light after all? Here’s the lowdown:
Step 1: Check the Equipment’s Instruction Manual
First things first, dig out the furnace’s instruction manual. Every furnace has its quirks, and different models may have specific guidelines to relight a pilot light.
Understanding the manual’s instructions helps you follow the correct procedure and take necessary safety measures. While the basic steps apply broadly, the manual can provide detailed directions for your specific model.
Step 2: Locate the Furnace’s Reset Switch and Pilot Light Assembly
Find the pilot light assembly. It’s usually hanging out near the bottom of your furnace. This assembly usually includes a gas control knob. Turn the knob to the “off” position to stop the flow of gas, which resets the system and prepares it for relighting.
The reset switch might be near the pilot light assembly or the furnace’s main control panel.
Step 3: Wait Several Minutes
After turning off the gas, wait a few minutes. This pause is important for safety, allowing any residual gas to disappear before relighting.
Waiting at least five minutes helps prevent the risk of igniting leftover gas, which could cause a fire or explosion.
Step 4: Relight the Pilot Light
Set the gas control knob to “pilot” and hold it down to let the gas flow. Use a lighter or a match to ignite the pilot light and keep holding that knob for about half a minute.
This action helps the thermocouple detect the flame and keeps the gas valve open. Release the knob once the pilot light burns steadily.
Step 5: Observe the Furnace’s Functions for Other Problems
After relighting the pilot light, you should have a steady flame. But keep an eye on it, just in case it’s feeling moody. Look out for signs like flickering or the pilot light going out again. These could indicate underlying issues.
If the pilot light continues to extinguish or the furnace shows other signs of trouble, such as unusual noises or incomplete heating cycles, we recommend contacting the pros.
Service Minds One Hour Air in Tampa is ready to take care of all your furnace repair issues when you need us.
When to Seek Professional Help
While relighting a pilot light is relatively simple, recognizing when to call a professional is equally important. Persistent furnace pilot light problems or other furnace problems often point to deeper problems that need expert attention.
If you’ve tried to relight a pilot light multiple times and failed, it might be time to call in the cavalry. Sometimes, these issues are trickier than they seem, such as faulty components or issues with the gas line.
Wizardry of Service Minds One Hour to Relight a Pilot Light in Tampa
That’s where the pros come in handy. At Service Minds One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating in Tampa, we have a team of HVAC wizards who can sort out these furnace problems in no time. They’ll make sure everything’s ship-shaped, and your furnace is purring like a kitten.
At Service Minds One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, our techs are trained to handle these problems safely. Remember, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts. A little know-how can go a long way in keeping your home warm and cozy.