Otis Singleton
Lighting a furnace pilot is a simple process, but it's important to note that newer furnaces may not have pilot lights, and instead, have an electronic ignition. If you're unable to locate the pilot light, it may be behind an access panel or visible through a small window. Once located, turn the knob to Pilot and light a match or lighter, holding the flame to the pilot light opening. Press the reset button and hold it until the pilot light burns steadily, then release the button. If you're unable to light the pilot, it's best to contact a professional for assistance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Usually located near the bottom of the furnace, near the front. May be hidden behind a small access panel. |
| Visual Identification | On some furnaces, the pilot light will be visible through a small window on the front of the furnace. |
| Reference | Consult the owner's manual for specific information on resetting your model. |
| Lighting Process | 1. Turn the knob to "Pilot," and let gas flow to the pilot. 2. Light a lighter or match, then push the reset button. 3. Hold the flame to the pilot light's opening. 4. Keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily, then release the button. 5. Observe the pilot light to ensure it stays lit. |
| Troubleshooting | If the pilot light frequently goes out, there may be an issue with the thermocouple or other parts of the furnace. Check for drafts or other air sources that could have extinguished the pilot light. |
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What You'll Learn
Locate the pilot light
Locating the pilot light on your furnace is an important first step before attempting to relight it. Pilot lights are usually located near the bottom of the furnace, near the front. It may be hidden behind a small access panel or door, or visible through a small window on the front of the furnace. If you cannot find the pilot light, consult your owner’s manual, which will tell you exactly where the pilot light is located and provide detailed drawings of what it looks like.
It's worth noting that newer natural gas and propane furnaces may lack a typical pilot light and instead use an electronic ignition system. Older furnaces, on the other hand, typically have traditional standing pilot lights. If your furnace is older, it's likely to have a pilot light that you will need to locate and relight manually.
Once you've located the pilot light assembly, you should find a knob or switches nearby with an “on,” “off,” and “pilot” setting. The knob should be fixed on the “pilot” setting. To relight the pilot safely, turn the knob to the “off” setting first to cut off the gas flow to the pilot light. Wait for at least five minutes to allow any remaining gas to dissipate before turning the knob back to the “pilot” setting.
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Turn the knob to Pilot
When lighting an electric furnace pilot, it is important to be cautious as gas can be extremely dangerous. If you are uncomfortable performing any of these steps, contact an experienced HVAC contractor.
Firstly, locate the pilot light. It is usually located near the bottom of the furnace, towards the front. It may be hidden behind a small access panel or visible through a small window. Once you have located it, turn the knob to "Pilot". This will allow gas to flow to the pilot.
At this point, you should light a match or a lighter. Ensure that you are holding it near the pilot light's opening. Now, push the reset button and hold it down until the pilot light is burning steadily. Once the flame is burning strongly, release the reset button. Your furnace should now fire up automatically.
Observe the pilot light for a few moments to ensure that it stays lit. Check the surrounding area for drafts or other air sources that may have caused the pilot light to extinguish. If the pilot light does not stay lit, there may be an issue with the thermocouple or other parts of the furnace.
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Light a match or lighter
Lighting a match or using a lighter is a common method of relighting a pilot light on a furnace. This is necessary when the pilot light goes out, which can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a gust of air or a problem with the thermocouple.
Before lighting a match or a lighter, it is important to turn off the gas supply to the furnace. This is done by turning the control knob inside the pilot valve body to the “Off” position. It is crucial to wait for a few minutes, around five, after turning off the gas to allow any lingering gas to dissipate and prevent the risk of an explosion.
Once the gas has dissipated, you can turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position, allowing gas to flow to the pilot. At this point, you can light a match or a lighter and hold it near the opening of the pilot nozzle while pressing the reset button. Keep the reset button depressed until you see a steady flame in the pilot light, which should be bright blue, and then release the button.
It is important to note that you should not use a regular-sized match or lighter. Instead, opt for a long match or a long-necked lighter to maintain a safe distance from the furnace while igniting the pilot light. Additionally, make sure to refer to your furnace's instruction manual or sticker for specific instructions, as different models may have varying procedures.
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Push and hold the reset button
To light an electric furnace pilot, you must first locate the reset button. This button is typically located near the pilot light, which is usually found at the front or side of the furnace. Once you've found the reset button, follow these steps:
While holding the reset button, observe the pilot light area: Keep an eye on the pilot assembly, which includes the pilot light, thermocouple, and gas supply tube. Make sure there are no obstructions or debris in the area that could interfere with the pilot light or affect the gas flow. If everything appears clear, you can proceed to the next step.
Release the reset button after 30 seconds: Once you've held the reset button for an adequate amount of time, slowly release it. Some furnace models may have a button that needs to be pressed continuously for ignition, while others may require a specific pressing pattern (e.g., press and release three times rapidly). Refer to your furnace's manual or seek professional guidance if you're unsure about your specific model.
Check for gas flow: After releasing the reset button, listen carefully for the sound of gas flowing through the pipes. You may hear a faint hissing sound, which indicates that gas is reaching the pilot light. If you don't hear this sound, there may be an issue with the gas supply, and you should contact a professional for assistance.
Ignite the pilot light: Now, you should be ready to
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Observe the pilot light
Once you've lit the pilot light, it's important to observe it for a few moments to ensure it stays lit. Check the surrounding areas for drafts or other air sources that could have extinguished the pilot light. It's normal for a pilot light to go out occasionally due to a draft or poor ventilation. If it keeps going out, you might have a problem with the thermocouple or other parts of the furnace.
The thermocouple is a safety feature that turns off the gas if the pilot light goes out. It's a small copper rod that sits next to the pilot light and is connected to the gas valve. If the pilot light keeps going out, it may be because the thermocouple is faulty and needs to be replaced. Another reason could be that it's not getting enough air. This could be due to an obstructed flue pipe. Ensure your furnace is getting the airflow it needs, then relight the pilot light and check if it stays lit.
If you cannot relight the pilot light or are uncomfortable performing these steps, contact an experienced HVAC contractor. Gas can be dangerous, and furnace repairs are not a DIY project. If you've tried to light the pilot at least twice without success, it's time to call a professional.
If you're unsure where the pilot light is located, it's usually near the bottom of the furnace, near the front. It may be hidden behind a small access panel or visible through a small window on the front of the furnace. Consult your owner's manual if you cannot find it.
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Frequently asked questions
The pilot light is usually located near the bottom of the furnace, at the front. It may be hidden behind a small access panel or visible through a small window at the front of the furnace. Consult your owner's manual if you cannot find it.
First, turn the knob to "Pilot" and let the gas flow to the pilot. Light a match or a lighter, then push the reset button. Hold the flame to the pilot light's opening and keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily. Once you release the button, the furnace should fire up automatically.
It is normal for your pilot light to go out occasionally due to a draft or poor ventilation. If it keeps going out, you might have a problem with the thermocouple or another part of your furnace. The thermocouple is a small copper rod that sits next to the pilot light and is connected to the gas valve. If the pilot light is not getting enough air, ensure your furnace is getting the airflow it needs, then relight the pilot light and check if it stays lit.
