how to light pilot on furnace

Flame On! Your No-Sweat Overview to Restoring the Furnace Pilot Burner

(how to light pilot on furnace)

Image this: you awaken on a wintry morning, shuffle to the thermostat, and crank up the heat. Nothing occurs. The house remains chilly. Your furnace is silent. Before panic embed in, inspect the pilot light. That small flame is the heart of your heating unit. If it’s out, your heater can’t work. Relighting it seems terrifying, however it’s simpler than you believe. Let’s walk through it detailed.

Initially, safety and security matters. Shut off the heating system entirely. Try to find a gas shutoff knob near all-time low of the unit. Change it to “off.” Wait 5 minutes. This offers any type of sticking around gas time to clear. Gas smells like rotten eggs, so if you catch a whiff, open home windows and leave your house. Call a pro instantly. If all’s clear, order 2 devices: a lengthy lighter (suits function as well) and a flashlight.

Now, find the pilot burner setting up. Open the heater gain access to panel. Older designs might have a steel cover you slide off. Newer ones might have a hinged door. Shine your flashlight inside. Seek a small metal tube with a small opening near the burner. That’s the pilot burner’s home. Some heaters label it clearly. Others make it a miniature witch hunt.

Next, transform the gas valve to “pilot.” Press and hold the red reset button. This sends out gas to the pilot tube. Maintain holding it– if you release ahead of time, the gas quits. Grab your lighter. Spark the flame and hold it to the pilot opening. Click-style lighter in weights are simplest below. After a few seconds, the pilot needs to capture. Maintain holding the reset button for one more 30 secs. This warms up the thermocouple, a security sensing unit that informs the furnace the fire lives. Let go of the button. If the fire remains, you have actually won.

If the flame passes away, repeat the procedure. Still no luck? The thermocouple could be dirty or damaged. Carefully clean it with sandpaper or a fabric. If that does not assist, call a service technician. Some battles require back-up.

Once the pilot burns steady, transform the gas shutoff back to “on.” Close the accessibility panel. Head to the thermostat and set it greater than the current space temperature level. Listen for the furnace roar to life. If warm air impacts, celebrate. Otherwise, double-check the pilot. Possibly it flickered out once more.

Protect against future migraines by keeping the location around the heater clean. Dust and debris can smother the pilot. Inspect it month-to-month during winter season. A blue fire is great. Yellow or orange? That suggests difficulty– like incomplete burning. Set up a check-up.

(how to light pilot on furnace)

Consider the pilot burner as your heater’s heart beat. It’s small but crucial. With this overview, you’re ready to deal with a dead pilot like a pro. No chilly early mornings can beat you now. Stay warm, remain risk-free, and remember: fire is your good friend (as long as you respect it).