How to Light a Furnace Pilot
How to light a furnace pilot? 8 Easy Steps
Turn the knob to “Pilot” and allow gas to flow. Light a lighter or match, and press the reset button. Hold the flame to the pilot light’s opening. Keep the reset button pressed until the pilot light burns steadily.
A furnace pilot or pilot light within the combustion chamber is integral to many gas heating systems. It serves as an ignition source for the burners, activating the heating system to keep your home warm in cold weather. There is a big difference between the energy consumption of older vs. latest furnace pilots.Â
Traditional burners burn around 432,000 BTUs of energy each month, while the latest ones are more energy efficient, saving energy and reducing electricity bills. In this guide, we will explore why a furnace pilot goes out and how to relight it. We will provide detailed instructions on how to light a furnace pilot, including how and when you should get professional HVAC Service help.
What Is a Pilot Light?
A pilot light is a consistently burning small blue flame located inside a gas burner. It could be natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. The pilot light gets signals from a thermostat and consequently ignites the main burner. The pilot light is crucial for the operations of older gas furnaces, flamethrowers, hot air balloons, water heaters, etc. Â
Todayfor Heating system, highly energy-efficient, and dependable electronic ignition systems have replaced pilot lights. However, these electric systems are not suitable as a high-energy ignition source. However, most commercial kitchens use pilot lights on grills, burners, and ovens, while residential systems prefer electrical ignition. Pilot lights are also used on campers, which are also called Recreational Vehicles or RVs.Â
8 Easy Steps on How to Reset the Light Furnace Pilot
Here are the steps to relight your furnace pilot after it goes out. Following these simple steps, you will restore it; otherwise, consult with a professional service provider.Â
1. Check the Equipment’s Instruction Manual
Before turning on the light lamp, consult the manual instructions for your furnace model. These instructions provide information about the manufacturer’s requirements and safety guidelines to follow before turning on the pilot light.
2. Turn Off the Power and Gas
 This step ensures a safe turning operation. Turn off the power from the electric circuit to cut off the power supply and the gas valve to prevent leakage during working time.
3. Find the Furnace's Reset Switch and Pilot Light Assembly
The furnace reset switch is on the nit’s bottom side, and the pilot light assembly is near the main burner.
4. Wait Several Minutes Gas to Dissipate
Before burning, the main burn allows gas to dissipate because it prevents accidental blasts or gas leakage.
5. Relight the Pilot Light
Turn on the pilot knob and allow gas to reach the pilot point. Use a long lighter or match to turn on the light and stay hold on the reset valve.
6. Hold the Reset Button
Keep your hand on the reset valve for 30 seconds. This ensures that proper power is supplied to the pilot light and that it remains lit.
7. Turn on the Furnace
After turning on the pilot light and holding the rest valve for the required time, turn the gas valve back to on mode. Allow the furnace’s power to be restored and turn on the power circuit.
8.Test the Furnace
Set the thermostat above your average room temperature and check the furnace periodically to ensure it ignites continuously without any power issues.
Why Pilot Light Goes Out on Furnace?
Multiple factors contribute to furnace light failure. Let’s explore some of them to help you troubleshoot common issues and understand when to call a professional service provider.
Age of the Heating Unit
Twenty-year-old furnaces often encounter the going out issue because, with time, the components may wear or tear out. Dirt and debris also decrease efficiency and increase the frequency of going out. If you want to buy a new heating unit, visit Lennox, as they are famous for reliable, high-quality furnaces and accessories.
Ventilation Problems
Drafts, caused by poor ventilation, blow out the pilot light. To resolve this issue, you should check if there is a leak in the heating unit’s ducts and that the furnace flue is properly installed. But if there is a leakage and you want to buy a new heating unit’s ducts, check on Goodman or Rheem. They are the best furnace manufacturers, providing all types of traditional and modern furnaces.
Thermocouple Issues
A thermocouple is a safety device that detects whether the pilot light is burning or not. It should be neat and clean, free from damages and cracks, and correctly aligned. Otherwise, it will be unable to detect the flame and ultimately shut off the gas supply, and your pilot light will go out again. It should be aligned very close to the flame so the gas valve remains open because of the generated heat.
Problems With the Gas Valve or Fuel Supply
If the gas valve is faulty, it will block the gas from reaching the pilot light. You need to keep it clean and resolve electrical issues.Â
Stuck valves caused by debris pileup and intermittent operations like repeated opening and closing of the gas valve also lead to the pilot light. You can buy affordable, high-quality gas valves from Honeywell. However, if you still face issues, you should immediately provide high-quality professional help to resolve these issues.
Call a Professional to Replace or repair Furnace Pilot Light Issues
If your furnace pilot encounters persistent issues, don’t try to resolve them yourself; otherwise, you will destroy the whole system due to your lack of expertise. Hire a professional All Season Home HVAC service to diagnose and resolve the issue safely because the majority of furnace repairs require specialized and technical knowledge. Also, every furnace requires a different set of specialized air. The professional services also provide regular preventive maintenance to prevent future issues. Just Call at (978) 510-6481.
