Do you find that your pilot light keeps going out on your water heater or furnace? Keeping your pilot light lit shouldn’t be a challenge. This article will explain what a pilot light is and how to keep it staying lit.
What is a pilot light?
A pilot light is a mechanical device that keeps a continuously burning flame. This small flame serves to light the burner. So, when your appliance is turned on the main burner releases gas which the pilot light will then ignite. The main burner then heats up the water or air to be distributed throughout your home or office.
Appliances with pilot lights
Water heaters, older boilers and furnaces are most likely to have a pilot light. Your gas fireplace may also have a pilot light. Pilot lights have been replaced in recent years by a hot surface igniter or a spark igniter.
A pilot light ignites the gas that creates heat in your house or office. So, if your hot water does not work, check the pilot light on your water heater. If you don’t have heat, check that your pilot light for the boiler or furnace has not gone out.
Where is the water heater pilot light located?
The pilot light for your gas water heater is located inside the access panel. You will find the access panel below the thermostat at the bottom of the gas water heater. You will find a panel that allows you to see whether the pilot flame is lit.
Why did your water heater pilot light go out?
There are various reasons that can cause your standing pilot light to go out.
Faulty thermocouple
When your pilot light starts to burn, the thermocouple will detect it. The copper rod acts as a safety device and will turn off the heater’s gas supply in the event your pilot light goes out. This will prevent any major gas leaks from occurring in your home.
A thermocouple may become bent, damaged or covered in dirt, carbon, or malfunction due to normal wear and tear. Therefore, the thermocouple won’t be able to detect the pilot light accurately and will therefore stop the heating operation.
Strong breeze
Excessive wind and drafts can cause the pilot light to go out. You should not have any problems relighting the pilot light if it is just blown out.
Kink in the flex tube
Flexible tubes are fuel for the gas controller. Pilot light problems can be caused by a kink in the tube.
Dirty pilot orifice
It’s almost impossible to keep a flame if the pilot’s mouth is clogged with dirt and gunk. It will lose any flames it holds, making them easy to extinguish. Bottom line, your pilot light will not stay lit if it is dirty.
What is the best way relight my pilot light?
Step 1. Thoroughly read the gas water heater manual
To get a good idea of where every part is, consult the manual for your water heater.
Step 2: Reduce the thermostat
Turn your water heater thermostat on the lowest setting, or turn it off.
Step 3: Turn off the gas valve
Locate and turn off the shutoff valve. You will find the gas shut-off valve near the bottom of the water heater. Before moving on to the next step, you must wait for at least five minutes until all the gas is completely dispersed.
Step 4: Turn the gas control valve on the water heater to “Pilot”
Turn the gas valve on the water heater’s thermostat to “Pilot”.
Step 5: Press the reset button
Press the reset button. It is located on the left side of the gas valve. The button is typically red. This button should be held down.
Step 6: Hold down the reset button and press the igniter
The igniter is located to the right side of the gas control valve. Continue to press the reset button and then click on the igniter. You will see the blue flame appear in the gas window.
Step 7: For between 20 and 30 seconds, continue to hold down the reset button
Once you have seen the flame, remove your finger from the igniter and press the reset button. You can keep it pressing for another 20-30 seconds.
Step 8: Set the gas control valve to “On”
Once the pilot has been lit, turn the gas control valve to “On”.
Step 9: Move the thermostat up.
You can now turn the thermostat up to get hot water flowing again.
Step 10: Ask for help if needed.
You may require a professional to help if you attempt to light the pilot light but it does not work.
What is a furnace pilot light?
Old furnaces need a pilot light to create heat. When the gas valve is opened, this flame continues to burn and ignites the gas. This heat will warm the furnace’s air, and it will then be distributed throughout your house. Your furnace may blow cold air if your pilot light goes out. Your furnace may not turn on because of the pilot light.
The gas line to your furnace will lead you to the pilot light. A switch on the gas valve will indicate whether or not the pilot light has been turned off. You will see a tube leading from the burner to the gas valve. You will find the pilot light location by following the small tube.
Furnace pilot light continues to go out
You may have many reasons why your pilot flame continues to go out in the furnace.
Damaged thermocouple
A thermocouple is a safety mechanism that shuts off the gas valve when the pilot light is out. However, your thermocouple could malfunction if it is worn out, damaged, or otherwise not functioning properly. A broken thermocouple will cause the gas valve to shut off and prevent your pilot light from lighting up.
Dirty thermocouple
A dirty thermocouple could mistakenly shut off the gas valve.
Dirty pilot opening
A yellow flame indicates that your pilot light opening is dirty. Dirt buildup in your pilot orifice can cause the flame to not properly engulf the thermocouple.
Bad gas regulator
Gas regulators are required for gas appliances. If your gas regulator fails to function properly, the furnace might not get enough gas to keep its pilot light on. It is possible that your gas regulator is bad if the pilot light goes out on more than one appliance, like your water heater.
Bad flue venting could blow out pilot light
Excessive wind can enter the flue pipes and cause the extinguishment of the pilot light flame if they are cracked or loose.
Strong draft
It is possible that the pilot’s light was blown out due to a strong draft.
How to re-light a furnace pilot lamp
Step 1: Review furnace manual
It is essential to locate the manual for your furnace. This will help you to understand the inside workings of your furnace.
Step 2: Identify location of pilot light
Use the manual to locate the pilot light in the furnace. To gain access to the furnace’s pilot light, you will have to remove the front of the furnace.
Step 3: Turn off the gas supply
The next step is to identify and shut off the main gas supply valve. Near the bottom of most furnaces is a small valve. The gas valve generally has three settings: “ON”, “OFF”, and “PILOT”. The valve should be turned to the “OFF” position. It is important that you wait at least five minutes before proceeding to the next step. This will ensure that all gases have cleared the pipes.
Step 4: Wait 5 minutes, and then turn the gas to pilot
Wait 5 minutes, and then turn the gas valve on “PILOT”. Before you turn the gas valve to the position “PILOT”, make sure that the entire gas has dissipated.
Step 5: Reset the button by holding down
Hold the reset button for a second time. You will find the reset button near the gas valve. However, if it is not obvious, the furnace manual can help you locate it.
Step 6: Hold the reset button while pressing Igniter
Continue to press down the reset button, and then push the igniter to turn on the flame. After the flame has lit up, you can release the igniter while still pressing the reset button. For 20-30 seconds, keep the reset button down. You can also use a barbecue lighter to ignite the pilot if you don’t have a manual igniter.
Step 7: Change the gas to an “ON” position
After the pilot light has been re-lit turn on the gas valve and put it back in the ON position. Now you should be able heat your house!
Step 8: Call a professional if needed
If your pilot light doesn’t stay on after you have followed the steps, call a professional for furnace repairs.
How can I prevent my pilot light from going out?
A water heater and furnace will all need to be maintained in order to prevent the pilot lights from going out. A professional will check the pilot light and the thermocouple for damage. They also will clean them to ensure they are operating at their best.
A professional will also inspect the gas valve, wiring and connecting piping, as well as flue venting and any other parts that are functioning properly, depending on which appliance it is.
