can a pilot light go out on a furnace

Can a Pilot Light Head Out on a Furnace? .

(can a pilot light go out on a furnace)

Your heating system keeps you cozy. It is necessary. A pilot light is a tiny fire inside your heating system. It starts the main heater. This offers warmth. Occasionally the pilot light heads out. This is a trouble. You need to know why. You need to know what to do.

1. What is a Pilot burner? .

Consider the pilot burner like a tiny suit. It melts at all times. It is ready to light the larger heater. The bigger heater makes the heat for your home. Old furnaces typically have a standing pilot burner. This indicates it never switches off. More recent heaters could use electronic ignition. They do not have a continuous flame. We are talking about the old kind below. The kind that remains lit. This little flame is crucial. Without it, your furnace will not start. It won’t create warm. Understanding what it is assists you recognize when it goes out.

2. Why Would Certainly a Pilot Light Go Out? .

Lots of points can burn out that little flame. Drafts are a common reason. A solid gust of wind can boil down the flue pipe. This can burn out the pilot burner. It resembles blowing out a candle. A dirty pilot opening is one more factor. Dust and grime build up. This obstructs the gas circulation to the pilot. The fire sputters and passes away. A weak thermocouple is a large problem. The thermocouple is a security device. It senses the pilot fire. It tells the gas valve it’s safe to open. If the thermocouple is damaged, it may shut off the gas. This kills the pilot burner. Low gas pressure is an opportunity also. Problems with the gas supply can affect the pilot. Also a damaged gas valve can be the culprit. It could not enable sufficient gas to get to the pilot. Sometimes the pilot light just gets old. It ends up being unstable. Recognizing why it heads out aids you repair it. It helps you prevent it.

3. Just how Do You Relight a Pilot Burner? .

Safety initially! Always read your furnace handbook. Adhere to the directions specifically. The steps may vary a little by version. Normally, you discover the gas control handle. Turn it to the “off” setting. Await several minutes. This lets gas clear out. It prevents an unsafe accumulation. Discover the pilot light setting up. It is near the heater. Turn the knob to “pilot”. Press and hold back the reset switch. This begins gas flowing to the pilot. Utilize a lengthy lighter. Spark the pilot fire. Keep holding the reset button down. Hold it for about a min. This heats up the thermocouple. Release the button gradually. The pilot must remain lit. Transform the gas handle to “on”. The major burner must ignite. Warm should start streaming. If the pilot won’t stay lit, quit. Call a professional. Don’t keep trying. It could be unsafe. Gas leaks are major.

4. Applications: Beyond Just Furnaces .

Pilot burner aren’t simply for heaters. They are used in other gas home appliances. Older water heaters commonly have them. This small fire heats the water in the tank. Gas fire places rely upon them also. The pilot light sparks the logs. It produces the comfy flame. Some older gas cooktops or ovens could have them. They light the heaters or the stove. Any appliance making use of gas or gas could utilize a pilot. It is an older ignition method. Newer designs use digital systems. Yet several homes still have home appliances with pilot lights. Understanding just how they function works. You could need to relight your water heater pilot. You may require to relight your fireplace pilot. The procedure is comparable. Safety is always crucial.

5. Pilot Burner FAQs .

Is it unsafe if the pilot light goes out? Yes, potentially. If the pilot heads out, gas might still leakage. This gas has no flame to burn it. It might fill your home. Gas is flammable and explosive. It also produces carbon monoxide gas. This is a deadly gas. You can’t see or scent it. If your pilot heads out usually, get help. A specialist should check it.

Exactly how can I inform if my pilot light is out? Your house will obtain cool. The heater won’t activate. You could see a mistake light. Some furnaces have a view glass. You can browse it. You must see a small blue flame burning. If you do not see it, the pilot is most likely out. Never presume it’s lit. Always check visually when possible.

Why is my pilot light fire yellow or flickering? A healthy pilot fire is blue. It should be consistent. A yellow or orange fire misbehaves. It suggests insufficient burning. This usually creates carbon monoxide. A flickering fire is weak. It might head out soon. Both situations require prompt attention. Turn off the gas. Ask for service today.

Can I avoid my pilot light from blowing out? Some points help. Make certain the area around the furnace is clear. Prevent drafts near the system. Keep vents and flues clear. Get regular heating system maintenance. A technician cleans up the pilot assembly. They examine the thermocouple. This aids stop issues.

(can a pilot light go out on a furnace)

Should I change my heater if the pilot burner maintains heading out? Not necessarily. Frequently, it’s a reparable problem. An unclean pilot orifice can be cleaned. A weak thermocouple can be changed. These are basic repair work. However if your heater is older, substitute may be wise. New heating systems are extra efficient. They do not use pilot burner. They save power. Speak with a heating and cooling specialist. They can suggest you best.