How to Relight a Pilot Light
If the pilot light to your furnace went out, don’t worry. Fixing this issue is fairly straightforward. Most furnaces have a small flame that is kept lit near the burner. This little pilot light is what ignites your furnace when it kicks on. If the light goes out for any reason, your furnace will not function, leaving your home cold.
In most cases, all you’ll need to do is relight the pilot light. But, before you do anything, make sure you follow all safety protocols. As always, if you’re unsure of what you’re doing, please call us for assistance, we’d be happy to help.
Keep These Safety Tips In Mind
Now that you know the basic safety tips, it’s time to fire up the pilot light. Make sure to follow these steps very closely so your gas furnace can begin working again properly.
Steps To Relight Your Pilot Light
- Follow the instructions: Every furnace is different. Read the user manual that came with your furnace before relighting the pilot light.
- Find the pilot light: The pilot light is usually located near the bottom of your furnace. It will have “on”, “off”, and “pilot” settings on this switch. Turn off the switch. This will turn off the electricity to your furnace.
- This next step is very important: Wait a few minutes. This will give the gas time to dissipate before you relight the pilot light.
- Then, switch the valve to pilot.
- Locate the pilot light opening: The pilot light opening is usually a small metal tube with a screen over it.
- Hold the reset button: Once you find the pilot light opening, look for a small red or black button. This is the reset button. You will need to hold this down while relighting the pilot light.
- Light the pilot light: Use a long matchstick to reach in and light the pilot light. Once it’s lit, you can release the reset button, and turn the switch from “pilot” to “on”.
If your pilot light does not stay lit and goes out again, you may have a more serious problem with your furnace, and you will need to call a professional. Absolute Airflow Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing provides high quality, effective furnace services for residents in Garden Grove, CA.
Top 3 Reasons Your Pilot Light Goes Out
There are a few reasons why your pilot light may have gone out. The most common reasons are:
- Faulty thermocouple: The thermocouple is a small sensor that measures the temperature near the pilot light. If this sensor is not working correctly, it will turn off the gas to the pilot light, causing it to go out.
- Dirty pilot light tube: Over time, the tube that houses the pilot light can become clogged with dirt and dust. This can cause the pilot light to go out.
- Bad gas regulator: The gas regulator controls the flow of gas to the pilot light. If this is not working correctly, it can cause the pilot light to go out.
If you’re having trouble with your pilot light, call Absolute Airflow Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing. We provide furnace repair in Corona, CA, and the surrounding areas. We can help you get your furnace up and running again in no time. Call our team today to make an appointment!
Westminster, CA