Umair Gaines
Knowing how to relight a pilot light is a valuable skill, especially if you have an older gas appliance model. Pilot lights are a critical component of gas furnaces, ensuring safety, efficiency, and comfort in your home. They can go out for a variety of reasons, including drafts, condensation, mechanical failures, or changes in gas pressure. If your pilot light constantly goes out, it could indicate an issue with the thermocouple or gas valve. Before attempting to relight the pilot light, it's important to consult the instruction manual for your specific heating system and ensure you are familiar with safety precautions. While relighting a pilot light can often be a simple fix, it's recommended to contact a professional HVAC technician if you encounter any issues or suspect problems with the heat exchanger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to relight an electric pilot light | When the pilot light goes out, the furnace or water heater stops working, or there is insufficient heat. |
| Reasons for an extinguished pilot light | Drafts, condensation, mechanical failures, changes in gas pressure, faulty thermocouple, clogged fuel supply tubes, faulty water heater. |
| Safety precautions | Turn off the gas supply and wait for at least 5-10 minutes to allow built-up gas to disperse. Do not attempt to relight if you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, as this could indicate a gas leak. |
| Relighting process | Refer to the instruction manual for specific instructions. Typically, locate the pilot light, set the knob to "Pilot," press and hold the pilot button, use a long match or lighter to ignite the gas, and then hold the reset button. |
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What You'll Learn
When to call a professional
While it is possible to relight an electric pilot light yourself, there are some situations in which you should call a professional for help.
Firstly, if you have tried to relight the pilot light multiple times and it still won't stay lit, do not keep trying. Contact a professional immediately, as this could indicate a gas leak, which is extremely dangerous. If you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, this is a sign of a gas leak, so do not try to relight the pilot light. Instead, evacuate your home and call your gas company or emergency services.
Secondly, if your pilot light is burning yellow, orange, or is flickering, this could indicate incomplete combustion, dirt buildup, or a carbon monoxide risk. In this case, you should seek professional furnace repair immediately.
Thirdly, if you suspect there is a problem with the heat exchanger, it is best to hire a professional HVAC company to address the issue. While you may feel comfortable relighting the pilot light yourself, professional help may be needed to address the underlying equipment issues causing the problem.
Additionally, if you have a faulty thermocouple, you will need a technician to clean, repair, or replace the component. The thermocouple is a critical safety feature that detects the flame and shuts off the gas supply if the pilot light goes out. If the thermocouple is dirty, bent, or broken, simply relighting the pilot light will not solve the problem.
Finally, if you are unsure about tackling the task of relighting the pilot light yourself, it is always best to call a certified professional to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
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How to prevent a gas leak
Gas leaks are serious and can be dangerous. If you suspect a gas leak, you should leave your home immediately and call the gas company. However, there are ways to prevent gas leaks from occurring. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prevent a gas leak:
Firstly, identify the potential sources of a gas leak. Gas leaks can occur in any home that uses natural gas for appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters, or clothes dryers. It is important to be aware of the signs of a gas leak, such as the smell of rotten eggs, hissing sounds, or higher-than-normal meter readings.
Next, take proactive measures to prevent gas leaks. Ensure that your gas line infrastructure is well-maintained and up-to-date. If your gas lines are old or corroded, consider replacing them with new fittings. This should be done by a professional who can ensure the work is done safely and correctly. Regularly inspect your gas appliances and equipment for any signs of wear and tear or potential leaks. This includes checking for gas leaks during furnace inspections and whole-home assessments.
Additionally, install gas detectors in your home, especially in areas where gas could accumulate. Regularly monitor and service these gas detection devices to ensure they are functioning properly. Test for gas leaks periodically by turning off all gas appliances and checking if the meter is still running. If it is, you may have a gas leak.
Finally, educate yourself and others about gas leak prevention and response. Ensure everyone in your household knows where the gas shut-off valve is located and how to use it in case of an emergency. Know the signs of a gas leak and the appropriate steps to take, such as evacuating the area and calling for help.
By following these instructions, you can help prevent gas leaks and keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Remember, gas leaks can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. If you suspect a gas leak, always prioritize your safety and seek professional assistance.
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Relighting a pilot light on a water heater
Firstly, determine what type of ignition system your water heater uses. Most modern gas water heaters have an electric igniter button near the gas knob. If your water heater has an ignition button, press and hold it for about a minute. If your heater doesn't have an ignition button, you'll need to light it manually using a long lighter or a match or stick lighter.
If your pilot light won't stay lit, there may be a kink or clog in the flex tubes linking your fuel supply and gas controller. Check for any debris in the pilot gas tube and clean it out with a small needle. If the pilot light still won't stay lit, the thermocouple or control valve may be faulty and will need to be replaced.
Before attempting to relight the pilot light, turn off the gas and wait at least 5 to 10 minutes to allow any built-up gas to disperse. This step may not be necessary for modern gas water heaters, as they include an automatic gas shut-off process that stops the flow of gas when the pilot light goes out.
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Relighting a pilot light on an oven
Locate the Pilot Light
First, locate the pilot light on your oven. It is usually found on the left side of the burner. If your oven has a separate broiler compartment, check it for the pilot light if you can't find it in the main compartment. If your oven is located in a basement or other dark area, use a flashlight, headlamp, or even the light from your smartphone to help you find the pilot light valve.
Prepare for Relighting
While your natural gas appliance is running normally, notice where the pilot light is and how it looks. If your appliance has a ventilation fan, turn it on while relighting the pilot. It may take several attempts to light the pilot, so be prepared for this.
Relight the Pilot Light
Turn the knob to "Pilot" and hold it down for a few seconds. Then, use a long lighter to ignite the pilot light by sticking it inside the hole just above the knob. If you don't have a long lighter, you can use a wooden skewer on fire, a butter wrapper rolled up and set on fire, or even toothpicks sticking out of a straw. Alternatively, you can use a grill lighter or a long match.
Hold down the button for about a minute after the pilot light ignites. Then, release it and turn the knob to the "On" position. If the pilot light won't stay lit, you may need to continue holding the gas safety valve button to expel all oxygen from the system, or the thermocouple may need to be replaced.
Safety Tips
If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound around your appliance, you may have a gas leak. Do not attempt to relight the pilot light. Leave the house immediately and call a professional service technician.
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Relighting a pilot light on a furnace
First, locate the pilot light on your furnace. It's usually near the bottom, at the front, and may be behind a small access panel or visible through a small window. Once you've found it, turn the knob to the "off" position to stop the gas flow. Wait 5-10 minutes to ensure any remaining gas has cleared out. During this time, look for the reset button, which is typically red and near the pilot light.
After the waiting period, return to the knob and set it to "'pilot.'" Now, ignite the pilot light with a long lighter or a match. Hold the pilot button for about a minute, then turn the knob to "on." Keep an eye on the pilot light for a few minutes to ensure it stays lit.
If your pilot light won't stay lit, there may be an issue with the thermocouple, a safety feature that turns off the gas if the pilot light goes out. It's a small rod near the pilot light, connected to the gas valve. If the thermocouple is dirty, bent, or broken, relighting the pilot light won't solve the problem, and you may need to call a professional.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're having trouble cooking or there's no hot water, check your pilot light first. Most of the time, a gas appliance doesn't work because the pilot light is out.
First, turn off the gas supply and power. Wait at least five minutes for extra accumulated gas to disperse. Then, locate the pilot light opening and use a grill lighter or long match to light the pilot light valve. Once the pilot is lit, hold the reset button down for a few seconds to make sure the pilot stays lit, and then release the button.
If your pilot light won't stay lit, it could be due to a faulty thermocouple, a fluctuation in gas main pressure, or a gas leak. If you're having repeat issues with your pilot light, schedule an inspection with a professional for additional guidance.
Yes, it is important to ensure there is proper ventilation in the space before you begin. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound around an appliance, you may have a gas leak. Do not try to relight the pilot light. Leave the house and call a professional service technician.
