Pilot Light Issues: What You Should Know

When your furnace stops working suddenly, it can be a concerning issue. Once the cold weather season begins, the last thing you want is a furnace that is not working properly. Fortunately, there are some issues that can be easily fixed. One of those issues is the pilot light on the furnace. If the pilot light goes out, you can easily relight it and have a functional furnace again. Here are some things you need to know about pilot light management:

Relight the Pilot Light

To begin, you should first consult the user manual for your furnace system. You may even see the instructions on the furnace. If you cannot find the instructions for your furnace, you can follow some general guidelines, as many furnace systems and pilot lights work similarly.

The first step is to find the pilot light switch. This is typically near the bottom of the system. You need to turn the switch to the off position. Wait for several minutes before you do anything else, particularly if your furnace is gas-powered. The gas needs time to fully escape the system. Otherwise, you could start a fire and even cause a dangerous reaction when you introduce fire near the furnace.

Next, locate the reset button. The button should also be near the pilot light switch. After several minutes, turn the pilot switch back on and hold the reset button down. Using a long match or a lighter with a long handle, relight the pilot light while holding down the reset button. If your furnace is working properly, the pilot light should easily relight immediately. After you light the pilot, you can take your finger off the reset button.

Investigate Other Issues With the Pilot Light

If the pilot light does not ignite after taking these steps, you probably have an issue that requires an HVAC contractor. You should not have to attempt to relight the pilot more than a couple of times to realize there is an issue. If you continually try to relight the pilot and are unsuccessful, you could allow gas to escape into your house. This can be disastrous. It can not only cause a fire, but it can also severely damage the components of the system that can be costly to repair.

Pilot lights do not typically go out. It should stay on year-round. However, if you find that the pilot light goes out with regularity, you need to have it checked professionally to ensure there are no leaks that are causing air to flow to the light.

For more information about heating repair, contact a local HVAC contractor.