How to Light a Pilot Light
How to Light a Pilot Light on a Furnace or Gas Heater
Imagine waking up and your house is cold. You try and crank the heat, but the furnace does not seem to be doing anything to help warm the house. This usually means that there is an issue with your HVAC system that needs to be identified and resolved. Normally, troubleshooting heating issues starts with checking to see if the pilot light is lit and properly functioning.
What is a Pilot Light?
A pilot light is a flame that perpetually burns so that anytime gas is fed into a gas burning appliance, it can function properly and warm whatever the appliance is designed to heat. Pilot lights can be found in gas burning furnaces, water heaters, ovens, and stoves. Gas furnaces operate using a thermostat which indicates to the furnace at what temperature the heater should turn on. This thermostat sends a signal to the furnace to release more gas into the burner to warm the house when the temp drops below a set temperature. The pilot light is the starter flame that will help ignite the rest of the gas, so the furnace functions as expected. If the pilot light is extinguished, it can be problematic because of safety measures that will cut the gas supply off to prevent a gas leak.
Step by Step Directions to Reignite the Pilot Light on a Furnace
When the pilot light to your furnace goes out, it can easily be reignited by following the directions outlined below:
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Find instruction label on your furnaceList Item 1
It is important to locate the instructions on your furnace to ensure that you know where the different components of the furnace are and how to properly light the pilot light. These instructions are normally found on a sticker somewhere visible but sometimes that information can fade or be damaged.
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Turn off the gas valveList Item 2
The most important part of lighting a pilot light is to not cause a fire, explosion, or any damages. It is critical that the gas valve is turned off so that the gas supply is cut off. This valve van normally be found near the bottom of the furnace with 3 indicators labeled “On,” “Off,” & “Pilot.” At this point the valve should be turned to the “Off” position to cut the gas supply completely. After the valve is shut off, wait for 5 minutes so any unburned gas can dissipate enough so that the concentration of gas is not combustible. If the smell of gas persists beyond 5 minutes, the concentration of gas is still strong enough to cause concern. At this point, it may prove beneficial to introduce a fan to help move airflow into the concentrated gas to help it dissipate.
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Switch the gas valve to pilot lightList Item 3
Once enough time has passed, the valve can be switched over to the “Pilot Light” setting. This will allow enough gas to pass through to ignite the pilot light without releasing the full flow of the “On” position. If you immediately start to smell gas, then there is too much gas being released which could indicate a problem with the gas line. If this is the case, then a professional should be called to come check the furnace immediately.
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Press and hold reset buttonList Item 4
Once the valve has been switched over to “pilot light,” find and press the button labeled “reset.” This will need to be held while the pilot light is ignited. If you can’t find where the button is located, be sure to check the instructions or look for the make and model online.
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Light Pilot light valve with long lighter or match
While the “reset” button is being pressed, use a long lighter or match to reach where the pilot light ignites. It may take a couple seconds to ignite the flame so hold it steady until a blue flame appears. Once the flame is lit, you can let go of the “reset” button.
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Turn furnace back on by switching gas valve back to on position
Once the furnace pilot light is reignited and stable without burning out, you can switch the gas valve back to its “On” position. This should fix the issue and your furnace should be back in working order unless there are other issues that could be prompting the furnace to fail.
How to Check Pilot Light?
If your furnace is failing to produce heat, there are several potential reasons for the malfunction. Troubleshooting small problems first will usually determine if the pilot light is the problem. If it is, it is usually an easy thing to identify and fix. To check the pilot light be sure to open the front access panel of your furnace and check to see if a small blue flame is currently ignited. This will be easy to find and identify as the blue flame will stand out in the darkness of the interior of the furnace. If there is no flame, then the pilot light is out. If the pilot light is ignited but the flame is not blue, that indicates another problem with the burner that likely needs to be looked at by a licensed HVAC professional. It is important to remember when checking a pilot light that the presence and smell of gas is a dangerous sign. It means that the pilot light is out and that the safety mechanism that is designed to cut the gas supply is failing. If you smell gas when checking your furnace, turn the knob that controls the gas to the “Off” position and contact a HVAC professional to come inspect your furnace.
Why Would the Pilot Light Go Out?
There are several mechanical reasons that a pilot light might go out. If the problem is a recurring issue, it may be time for furnace maintenance or replacement.
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Thermocouple IssuesList Item 1
If the pilot light repeatedly turns off on its own, it could be an issue with the thermocouple. The thermocouple is the safety mechanism that prevents gas from leaking when the pilot light is not lit.
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Dirty ThermocoupleList Item 2
A dirty thermocouple can prevent it from working properly. If there is an excessive amount of dirt, dust, or grime blocking the sensor that reads if the ignition source is lit, then the mechanism may interpret the pilot light as off. If the thermocouple fails to read properly, then it will shut off the gas supply. The thermocouple can usually be cleaned by gently wiping the tip with fine grit sandpaper.
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Bent ThermocoupleList Item 3
The thermocouple can also be bent which can shift the sensor away from where it needs to be to sense if the pilot light properly. All that needs to be done is to bend the thermocouple back to where the sensor is close enough to the flame to sense ignition.
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Broken ThermocoupleList Item 4
If the thermocouple is still failing after it has been cleaned and positioned properly, it could be a sign that the thermocouple is broken and needs to be replaced. In these instances, a professional should help install a new thermocouple to prevent any further issues.
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Filthy Pilot Opening
A flame that waves or isn’t blue is usually an indicator that there is blockage near the gas supply opening. This is problematic because a poorly lit pilot light can cause the thermocouple to get an inaccurate reading causing the gas supply to be turned off. This can usually be fixed by cleaning up the pilot light gas opening to ensure that gas can be released without obstruction.
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Poor Location / Positioning
The placement and positioning of a furnace can cause issues as well. If the furnace is somewhere enclosed without a supply of fresh air, the pilot light might extinguish itself from lack of oxygen. On the contrary, the furnace can also be placed somewhere with a draft that continues to blow out the pilot light. In both instances, the furnace should be moved to a more appropriate area to ensure that the pilot light is able to stay lit.
Important Things to Remember When Lighting Pilot Lights
Since reigniting pilot lights involve combustible gasses, it is important to remember a few things:
- If a pilot light fails to stay on after you release the reset button, it could indicate a larger problem with the furnace. When this happens, an HVAC professional may be needed to provide clarity and support.
- NEVER try relighting a pilot light without first turning off the gas supply. Any excess gas, especially in a small, confined area can be extremely combustible and dangerous.
- The pilot light is usually the only thing an untrained person is qualified to fix on a furnace. Since a furnace is a gas appliance any other DIY fixes can have dangerous results if not done properly.
- Using long matches or lighters with an extended neck for candles and fireplaces are always recommended when lighting pilot lights. There needs to be some distance between your hand and the source of ignition.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
Professional HVAC services should be enlisted only when the steps above have failed to fix your pilot light problems. If you have been dealing with a problematic heater or furnace, be sure to contact GS Home Services so we can send out an experienced and licensed HVAC professional to help ensure that your furnace is operating at 100%.
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