Lighting a furnace pilot light can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! All you need are adequate instructions with a dash of elbow grease. If you’re reading this blog, you most likely have a furnace pilot light that has gone out and needs to be relit. Take heart; this is a pretty typical HVAC occurrence. Although, it can be really annoying – specifically when you initially realize that there’s no warmth coming from your vents. Nonetheless, if this is something you can relate to and your HVAC system is blowing cool air instead of warm air, chances are a blown-out pilot light is the culprit. This usually takes place when a draft passes through, extinguishing the pilot light as a result.
The pilot light and burner inside of your furnace are utilized to spark the heating process. Although pilot lights were once used as a standard for gas furnaces, current models don’t require them, and technology is evolving into needing them less and less. However, if you need those instructions on how to relight your pilot light, continue reading below for tips from Delaware Heating & Air.
HOW CAN I RELIGHT MY FURNACE’S PILOT LIGHT?
Step One: Most furnaces will have pilot light relighting directions directly from the manufacturer that are placed on the side of your unit for your specific model. However, if you cannot find or read them easily, please continue reading for some general instructions below.
Step Two: It will be good to have a long lighter on hand so that you can reach your pilot light. If not, a long match will suffice as well. Just be sure that before you start the relighting process, you have an appropriate lighter or match on hand. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reach the pilot light.
Step Three: Search for and locate the burner cover. This is the metal faceplate that protects the pilot light opening. Once you’ve located it, go ahead and remove it. You should be able to see and access the pilot light from here.
Step Four: Find the gas valve and turn the gas supply off. This is a very important step for safety reasons!
Step Five: Next, it’s time to power the furnace down entirely. Normally, the furnace’s power switch is located at the base of the unit.
Step Six: Now that the furnace and gas supply are both shut down, you need to wait at least five minutes before continuing on with the next steps. This is advised because it gives the gas that was previously built-up sufficient time to dissipate.
Step Seven: While waiting for five minutes to pass, you should find the pilot light assembly. The pilot light assembly is usually a small knob that you can turn, and it is typically labeled with three settings: “pilot,” “reset,” and “on/off.” Wording is subject to vary between different furnace models.
Step Eight: Follow these three steps to relight your pilot light:
1. First, proceed by turning the knob to the “pilot” setting after the gas has dissipated and five minutes have passed. Doing this enables the gas to flow back to the pilot light.
2. Secondly, now press and keep holding down the “reset” button at the same time. While keeping the “reset” button pressed, maintain your gaze on the opening of the pilot light. Then slowly approach with your ignited lighter in the other hand. Just make sure to refrain from getting your hand too close.
3. Once you are close enough, the pilot light should ignite, and the flame should stay on at this point. So, when you see that the flame is lit, release the “reset” button. If the flame does not stay lit upon release, there may be another underlying system-related issue at hand.
Step Nine: After you have successfully relit the pilot light, go ahead and turn the gas supply back on.
Step Ten: And our last step is not to forget to put that burner cover back where it goes!
Congratulations – you did it! Your furnace’s pilot light should now be lit. You may now sit back and enjoy the coziness from the heat of your furnace. Delaware Heating & Air wants you to know that you can rely on us for all your HVAC needs. So, if you don’t feel comfortable relighting the pilot light on your own or if you have other HVAC-related concerns, we will be at your side as soon as possible! You can contact us at (740) 227-8302 or schedule a heating or cooling repair appointment online now by clicking here!
