Are you grappling with the issue of a furnace not firing up on those cold winter nights? Often, it’s due to a snuffed-out pilot light. Not to worry, this blog post will take you through the easy steps on how to relight your pilot light on your furnace.
Health and Safety Warning: Furnaces and gas appliances can be dangerous if not treated appropriately. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with this process, consider getting a professional to assist you.
Understanding the Furnaces
Before diving into the step-by-step guide, it's essential to understand your furnace system first. The furnace might have an electronic ignition or a standing pilot light:
- Electronic ignition system: Ignites the burner automatically, when the thermostat calls for heat.
- Standing pilot light: Traditional system using a pilot light that continuously burns. It ignites the main burner when necessary.
In this article, we are going to concentrate on the standing pilot light system.
Essential Tools for Relighting a Furnace Pilot Light
These are some of the tools and materials you might need:
- Matches or a long, wand-style lighter
- A screwdriver
- A flashlight
- Your furnace’s instruction manual
Always have these in handy before starting the process.
Steps on How to Relight Pilot Light on Your Furnace
Follow these detailed steps on how to relight pilot light on furnace:
Step 1: Turn Off Your Furnace
Ensure the furnace system is off before initiating any procedure. Access the furnace's main switch, usually present on or near the furnace, and turn it off.
Step 2: Locate the Pilot Light Assembly
Turn the switch on the gas valve off, and use a flashlight to locate the pilot light assembly inside the furnace. This is typically a tube that leads to a small burner, where the pilot light gets ignited.
Step 3: Light the Pilot
Set the controls of the furnace to its "pilot" setting. Use a screwdriver to press the reset button and then hold a lit match or lighter to the pilot opening.
Step 4: Reset the Controls
After a few seconds, release the reset button while the controls are set to "pilot". The pilot light should stay lit. If it doesn't, repeat the process after a few minutes.
Step 5: Set the Burner
Once the pilot light is working, you can turn the control back to its "on" or "run" setting. The furnace should now respond to the thermostat's settings, igniting and heating as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about How To Relight Pilot Light On Furnace
What happens when the furnace pilot light goes out?
When the pilot light extinguishes, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because there won’t be any flame to ignite the gas burner. As a result, your home will start getting cold.
How can I tell if my furnace pilot light is out?
Typically, you can tell if your furnace pilot light is out by visually inspecting your furnace. If you notice that the small flame is not lit, then it is out. Your home might also become excessively cold since your furnace is not producing heat.
Is it dangerous if my furnace pilot light is out?
A pilot light that goes out is not inherently dangerous. However, it can become a safety concern if gas continues to flow when the pilot light is out, as this can result in a gas leak. If you smell gas after your pilot light extinguishes, shut-off the gas supply and call a professional.
How do I relight the pilot light on my furnace?
To relight your furnace’s pilot light, first, you need to locate the pilot light on your furnace. After finding the pilot light, you should turn the control knob to "pilot" setting. Then, hold down the "reset" button and bring a lighted match close to the pilot opening. Once the flame catches, keep holding the reset button for about a minute.
What equipment do I need to relight the pilot light on my furnace?
To relight your furnace's pilot light, you'll need a long lighter or matches and possibly a flashlight to help see what you're doing.
Can I relight the pilot light on my furnace on my own?
Yes, you can relight your furnace pilot light on your own. It's a straightforward process that anyone can manage. However, it’s essential to always prioritize your safety. If you're not comfortable doing it, or if you're not sure what to do, it’s advisable to call a professional.
What precautions should I take before relighting the furnace pilot light?
When relighting your furnace pilot light, ensure to turn off your furnace and let any gas dissipate before beginning to prevent a possible explosion or fire. Also, ensure you don't smell gas before you start. If you do, ventilate the area and call a professional immediately.
Why does my furnace pilot light keep going out?
There could be several reasons why your furnace pilot light keeps going out. Common issues include a dirty pilot light, a faulty thermocouple, a bent or misaligned thermocouple, a breezy room, or a malfunctioning safety switch.
What should I do if my pilot light won’t stay lit after being relit?
The failure of a relit pilot light to stay lit could indicate an issue with the thermocouple. The thermocouple acts as a safety device, shutting off gas to the furnace when it senses the pilot light is out. Should the problem persist, it's best to call a professional to assess and correct the issue.
Is there any maintenance required to keep my furnace pilot light operating correctly?
Yes! Regular furnace maintenance is crucial to keeping your pilot light, and your entire heating system for that matter, operating properly. This includes routine inspections and timely repairs where applicable. Scheduling regular furnace maintenance with an HVAC professional will help ensure optimal performance and longevity of your furnace.
Pros of Relighting Pilot Light on Furnace
+ Cost Savings
Relighting the pilot light on your furnace by yourself can provide significant cost savings. Hiring a professional can be expensive, especially during peak season when their demand is at an all-time high. They charge not only for their labor but also for their expertise in diagnosing a problem that could be as simple as relighting a pilot light.
+ Fast Solution
Professional help may not be readily available, leaving you with a cold living space. Knowing how to relight your pilot light can provide a quick and immediate solution to your heating problem.
+ Learning Experience
This experience gives you the opportunity to understand your furnace better by becoming familiar with its parts and functions. It's a chance to become comfortable with handling minor issues that arise with your home's maintenance.
+ Sense of Satisfaction
There's a sense of accomplishment that comes with solving a problem on your own without seeking help from others. Whether you successfully relight the pilot or uncover a more significant underlying problem that needs professional attention, you've effectively taken the first steps towards a solution.
Cons of Relighting Pilot Light on Furnace
- Safety Risk
Relighting a pilot light on a furnace poses a safety risk if not done correctly. Furnaces use flammable gas, creating a risk of fire or explosions if there are leaks or other malfunctions. Therefore, it's critical to follow all safety precautions when relighting a pilot light.
- Incorrect Diagnosis
A blown out pilot light might be a symptom of underlying problems. Simply relighting it does not address the root cause. This DIY approach could lead to bigger issues later down the line, which could have been avoided with a professional diagnosis.
-- Potential Additional Damage
Improper attempts to relight the pilot light might cause additional damage. For instance, too forceful a turn of the button or switch might damage the control system. You may scratch the furnace surface or cause other physical harm during your efforts.
-- Regular Outages
If the pilot light frequently goes out, it could indicate an issue with the thermocouple or a clogged pilot orifice. Light off periods are cues that your furnace needs attention beyond a simple relight, and repeated manual relights only serve to ignore the actual problem.
- Time-Consuming
While hiring a professional to relight your pilot light might be expensive, it's also time-efficient. They bring experience and efficiency that could save you valuable time spent figuring out the process or troubleshooting complications.
- Void Warranty
Some furnaces come with warranties that stipulate that only qualified professionals should carry out maintenance and repairs. Even before attempting to relight the pilot light on your furnace, check your warranty to ensure this action won't void its terms.
Myths / Misconceptions About Relighting the Pilot Light on a Furnace
There are many prevailing myths and misconceptions about relighting the pilot light on a furnace, which cause confusion for homeowners and sometimes even lead to unnecessary service calls or potential safety hazards. Here, we aim to clear up some of the common misconceptions surrounding this often misunderstood process.
Myth 1: The Furnace Is Broken If the Pilot Light Goes Out
Misconception
One common myth is that if the pilot light on a furnace goes out, it must mean that the furnace itself is broken. This erroneous belief can lead to unnecessary panic and unwarranted calls to heating repair services.
Fact
In truth, a pilot light can go out for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the proper functioning of the furnace itself. It could be a draft blowing the light out, a dirty pilot light orifice causing it to burn inefficiently, or even a faulty thermocouple.
Myth 2: The Pilot Light Going Out Is Dangerous
Misconception
A disturbing misconception is the belief that a pilot light going out is immediately dangerous. This misconception can induce unnecessary anxiety and fear.
Fact
While a pilot light going out too often might indicate an underlying issue that could potentially become dangerous (like a gas leak), the act of the light simply going out is not inherently harmful. Nevertheless, remember to always take safety precautions when attempting to relight it.
Myth 3: Anyone Can Relight a Furnace Pilot Light
Misconception
A widespread belief is that relighting a furnace pilot light is a task that anyone can undertake. While the process can be simple, this viewpoint often neglects important safety considerations or potentially complex aspects of the procedure.
Fact
Relighting the pilot light is a task that, when done carefully and correctly, is relatively simple. However, if someone is uncomfortable performing the task or has doubts about how to correctly do it, they should never hesitate to call a professional. Safety should always be the primary concern.
Myth 4: The Pilot Light Should Always Be Lit
Misconception
Some people operate under the belief that a furnace pilot light should always be lit. This is not only incorrect but can also lead to wasted gas and unnecessary expenses.
Fact
Many modern furnaces have electronic ignition systems, meaning they don’t have a standing pilot light that stays on all the time. Even if your furnace has a traditional pilot light, keeping it lit year-round is often unnecessary, especially during warmer months when the furnace is not in use.
Myth 5: A Yellow Pilot Light Is Normal
Misconception
Some homeowners think a yellow pilot light is normal. This misconception can lead to ignoring potentially dangerous situations.
Fact
A properly functioning pilot light should be a crisp blue. A yellow or orange flame commonly indicates incomplete combustion, which can lead to the production of dangerous carbon monoxide gas. If your furnace's pilot light is yellow, it's best to turn off the gas and call a professional.
Understanding the truth behind these misconceptions about relighting the pilot light on your furnace can save you time, help you maintain your furnace properly, enhance your safety, and ultimately save you money.
Summary
So there you have it, folks! Everything you need to know about "how to relight pilot light on furnace". It doesn't require professional expertise and you can certainly handle it with some caution. Just remember, if that stubborn light refuses to come alive again, you might want to call in the experts. It could be indicative of an underlying problem in the system, not just a mere glitch in the pilot light.
But don't worry too much about it. The process can seem intimidating, especially if you're not the handyman kind. But, trust me, once you've mastered out how to relight pilot light on furnace, it's just like learning to drive - you never forget. Just take the precautions seriously - cutting off gas, ensuring right knob settings, and not rushing with the ignition. And in no time, you'll have your furnace humming back to life.
Regardless of the type of furnace you have, relighting the pilot light doesn't take much time or effort. Simply follow the guidelines we've covered, and you should be able to have your furnace running smoothly again. However, if problems persist after you've attempted to relight the pilot light, this might be a signal that you have a more serious issue on your hands. In this case, hiring a professional might be the best approach. No matter what, understanding how to relight pilot light on furnace is a useful skill to have under your belt!
About Perfect Air & Water Services
Perfect Air & Water Services is your trusted local business based in the heart of Lakewood, NJ. Focusing on all your air and water service needs, our team of experienced technicians are ready to provide top-tier service, whether it’s installation, repair or routine upkeep. Being in the industry for numerous years, we’ve grown a reputation for consistent high-quality work, and a keen dedication to customer satisfaction. With Perfect Air & Water Services, enjoy the peace of mind knowing you're in good hands.
