Lighting the pilot on a gas furnace is no easy business. You need to understand the proper precautions and directions first.
What is a pilot light? A pilot light ignites the flame when the gas is switched on. The pilot light on a gas furnace can go out because of drafts, and if it’s not working, the gas burner will not ignite. Luckily, you can relight it by following our five-step process.
Note: If you have an electric furnace, there is no pilot to light.
You will need:
- A match to light the pilot
- A flashlight to see where the valve and pilot light are located
To relight the pilot, follow this simple process:
Step 1: Set your thermostat at lowest possible position. (This is to avoid an explosion when the pilot is lit.)
Step 2: Find the pilot valve; it typically includes a gas valve with on, off, and pilot settings.
Step 3: Switch the valve to the off setting which turns off the heater’s gas. Wait at least five minutes before lighting the pilot to ensure no gas is leaking. This step is crucial for your safety.
Step 4: Switch the valve to the pilot setting. Hold a lit match to the pilot opening while you push the reset button on the pilot valve. Keep pressing the reset button until the flame ignites; hold the button for 60 seconds, and then set valve to on position to start gas flow.
Step 5: If the pilot flame doesn’t stay lit, the opening may be clogged. If it won’t stay lit after several tries, you may have a faulty thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device on gas furnaces. Call Synergy Services for assistance if you suspect this is the issue.
There you have it—five easy steps to get your pilot lit in no time. If you run into a problem or just want a professional to take a look, our team would be happy to assist. Reach out to us.