How To Relight A Furnace Pilot Light

As the heart of your home’s heating system, the furnace plays a crucial role in ensuring your living spaces remain warm and comfortable, especially during the colder months. Understanding the intricacies of your furnace, particularly the pilot light, is essential for maintaining a consistent and efficient heating system. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the importance of furnace pilot lights, delve into common reasons they might go out, and provide detailed instructions on how to relight a furnace pilot light. Additionally, we’ll discuss when it’s time to call in the professionals, specifically highlighting the expertise of Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

What Is a Furnace Pilot Light?

The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the main burner in your furnace. It’s a critical component that ensures the gas released into the furnace is promptly ignited, preventing gas buildups and ensuring smooth and efficient operation. Keeping this tiny yet mighty flame alive is pivotal for the seamless performance of your heating system.

Reasons Your Furnace Pilot Light Went Out

Several factors can lead to your pilot light extinguishing, each impacting the efficiency and safety of your furnace operation. Understanding these causes is crucial:

• Sudden drafts that can blow the light out
• A dirty pilot orifice restricting gas flow
• A malfunctioning thermocouple prevents the light from staying lit

How to Relight A Furnace Pilot Light

Relighting your furnace’s pilot light might seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it’s a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Safety First: Ensure the furnace switch is turned off locate the pilot light assembly and reset the switch.
2. Access the Pilot Light: Remove the furnace cover to access the pilot light assembly.
3. Turn the Knob to ‘Pilot’: Find the gas valve and turn the knob to the ‘Pilot’ position.
4. Ignite the Pilot Light: While holding down the reset button, use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot light.
5. Observe and Test: Once the pilot light is lit, hold the reset button for about a minute. Then, turn the knob to the ‘On’ position and observe if the main burner ignites.

Professional Furnace Repair & Maintenance

If you’ve followed the steps above and your furnace’s pilot light won’t stay lit or you’re experiencing other issues with your heating system, it’s time to call in the experts. Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning possesses the necessary experience and expertise to diagnose and resolve any furnace-related issues. Trusting a professional ensures your heating system is not only fixed efficiently but also adheres to safety standards. It is common to notice a burning smell when you start up a furnace, learn more about that in another blog: Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Burning?

Keep Your Pilot Light Lit

Understanding how to relight your furnace pilot light is an essential skill for homeowners, contributing to the overall efficiency and safety of your heating system. Remember, while some issues can be resolved with a bit of DIY spirit, others require the touch of a professional. For any complex or persistent furnace problems, contact us at Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for reliable and expert service. Check out our Google Reviews!