Table Of Contents
Lighting Your Gas Heater Pilot Light
Besides electric heaters, gas heaters are commonly used to keep living spaces or offices warm and comfortable, especially in the cold season. Like other appliances, gas heaters might malfunction because of many unknown reasons, and when that happens, the good feeling that comes with the warm air it provides is interrupted.
Suppose your gas appliance stops working abruptly. In that case, the problem might be that the pilot light is not burning, and lighting the pilot light will get your gas appliance working again. Read on to understand better the steps involved in troubleshooting your gas appliance. But first, let's look at the reasons why your pilot light went out.
Common Reasons Why A Pilot Light Goes Out
A pilot light is a small flame that burns continuously and is responsible for lighting the burner of your gas appliances, such as your gas heater, water heater, and gas stove. In gas heaters, especially older models, the pilot light plays a critical role in generating heat in your space.
Once the gas valve opens, the flame, which is in a continuously burning state, ignites the gas. The cold air brought into your gas furnace is then warmed by this heat and circulated throughout your space. In the instance that your pilot light goes out, your furnace might start blowing chilly air.
The common reasons why the pilot light of your gas appliance might go off include the following:
Clogged or Malfunctioning Thermocouple
The thermocouple is a device located close to the burner valve of the pilot light. It works as a safety device for your gas furnace and determines whether the pilot light is on. When ignited, the pilot light signals the thermocouple to keep the gas line open.
A thermocouple that has a blockage caused by dust or dirt, in turn, affects the performance of the pilot light and the working condition of the entire gas furnace system by blocking the sensor and shutting off the gas supply. In addition, a thermocouple on its own could get old or develop a fault over time.
If the problem with your pilot light originates from the thermocouple, then cleaning or replacing it would solve the problem.
Condition and Age of Your Gas Heater
If your gas heater is old, it likely has many unclean, worn, and inefficient parts and components; any combination of these components malfunctioning can cause the pilot light to go out. If this is the case, it might be time to replace your gas heater.
Dirty Pilot Light Orifice or Hole
A pilot lighting hole filled with dirt and debris would be difficult to light up, and if it eventually lights up, the flame would be weak and easily extinguished. Moreover, if the valve of the pilot light is rusty, it can equally cause the flame to constantly go out when ignited. Removing the dirt and debris from the pilot light orifice would solve the problem.
Inadequate Gas Supply and Gas Valve Issues
Another reason your pilot light might go off could be because the gas level in your gas heater is low or has entirely run out. The pilot light requires a steady supply of gas or propane to stay lit. Therefore, check your gas gauge to ensure that your gas appliance has enough gas, and then try lighting the pilot light. Moreover, any problems with the gas valve, which supplies the flame with gas, whether filthy or faulty, might cause the flame to go out.
Inadequate Ventilation or Oxygen
Like all other types of flames, the pilot light of a gas heater requires oxygen to burn continuously. If your gas furnace lacks access to adequate air or oxygen needed for its combustion, it will cause the pilot light not to ignite or cause the ignited flame to go out constantly. Having your space well ventilated (especially the area where the gas heater is installed) will aid the pilot light to burn continuously and, in general, enable your gas furnace to function correctly.
Air Drafts or Leakage
The movement of air can blow out your pilot light. The pilot light is small and vulnerable enough to flicker or blow out at the slightest air movement around it. If this happens, there may be a problem with your flue pipe or the way your gas heater is venting. Therefore, check for air leakage, take care of it, relight your pilot and observe how it burns.
Low Pilot Light Pressure or Strength
Another reason your gas heater's pilot lighting goes off might be because its pressure or strength is low. If you notice that the flame of your pilot light is flickering or unstable, it could indicate that the pressure or strength of the pilot light is low.
In addition, a yellow pilot light indicates a wrong temperature which would send unwanted signals to the thermocouple and cause it to turn off the pilot light. Adjusting the pressure or strength of the pilot light would fix the temperature and the problem.
Using Your Gas Heater Safely
When looking at heating systems, gas heaters are the popular choice nowadays. Therefore, several families have adopted using them as their preferred heating method. However, when looking at gas heater safety, one issue that can typically arise is figuring out how to switch them on safely.
When it pertains to gas heaters, there are some specific instructions required to turn them on and some safety measures to follow when it comes to gas heaters. As such, we will discuss how to turn your gas heater pilot light on securely. So, let's look at the steps taken to relight the pilot light of your gas heater.
How To Ignite Your Gas Heater Pilot Light
Below is a thorough guide on how you can ignite your gas heater's pilot light if it goes off:
Step One: Locate the Pilot Light
First, locate the pilot light valve label on the gas furnace. Nearly all gas furnaces have this. You might have to read the instructions on the label or sticker. This instructions sticker might contain information on where the gas furnace reset switch is located, directions on how to light the furnace pilot light, and precaution instructions. You can also refer to your appliance's user manual to help you identify where the pilot light is located.
Step Two: Switch the Gas Control Valve Off
Now, locate the gas control valve and switch it off. A tiny valve is situated towards the bottom of most gas heaters. Gas valves usually come with three settings: "ON," "OFF," and "PILOT." Once you have located it, you can now switch the valve off. Then, as a precaution, wait for about five minutes or until the residual gas clears out of the pipes. Doing this will reduce the chances of an explosion.
Step Three: Turn the Gas Control Valve to "PILOT" Position
Once you are confident that the gas has cleared from the pipes, turn the gas control valve from "OFF" to the "PILOT" position. After that, check and ensure your furnace has no gas leaks.
Step Four: Press the "'RESET" Button
Next, press the small button labelled "RESET" and hold it down for a few seconds. You can refer to the user manual if you have trouble locating it. For some gas heater models, the pilot light will come on at this point. If the pilot light doesn't come on, proceed to the next step.
Step Five: Ignite the Pilot Light
Now, using a grill lighter or long matchstick, light up the pilot light. You have to hold down the reset button while doing this. Hold the flame to the pilot light valve till it lights up. Bear in mind that you might be required to light up the valve a few times before it gets lit. Some gas heaters come with an igniter button which you should press while still holding down the reset button until the flame is ignited.
Step Six: Switch the Gas Control Valve Back On
Once you successfully relight the pilot light, turn the gas control valve from the "PILOT" setting to the "ON" position. By this stage, you should clearly hear your gas furnace come on and resume heating your space. However, if the pilot light refuses to come on and keeps going off, reach out to a reliable technician near you to repair your furnace.
Tips For Lighting A Gas Heater Pilot Light
- If your natural gas appliance has a ventilation fan, turn it off before relighting the pilot light.
- Read your gas heater's user manual before touching it or troubleshooting the pilot light, and pay close attention to the precaution instructions.
- Use a flashlight to locate your furnaces pilot light, primarily if your gas appliance is situated in a dark place like the basement.
- Note that if you are having a hard time troubleshooting your pilot light, it is an indication that your gas appliance is due for maintenance or repair services.
- Please, ensure to use a long-stemmed lighter or a long matchstick to ignite the pilot light. Doing this will put a distance between you and the pilot light as you light it. In the absence of a grill lighter or long matchstick, you can roll up a long piece of paper, light it, and hold the flame over the pilot orifice till it becomes lit.
Bear in mind that new models of gas furnaces, unlike the older ones, do not have pilot lights. Instead, they use electronic ignition buttons or automatic ignition systems and cannot be ignited manually. However, such gas heaters can equally develop a problem stemming from the ignition system.
In such an instance, turning the circuit breaker that supplies power to the gas furnace off and back on, then locating and pressing the restart button might help resolve the ignition problem.
Pilot Light Issues? Contact Local HVAC Experts
When you've taken all the aforementioned steps and are still unable to reignite your gas heater's pilot light, do not hesitate to contact your local HVAC technician to fix it. Likewise, if you are uncomfortable with relighting the pilot light of your gas heater, just wait for a professional to arrive and handle it for you.
Moreover, a professional can further detect other issues, such as the leak of toxic gases like carbon monoxide in your gas furnace. In addition, it is advisable to make proper arrangements to have your gas appliance frequently serviced. Doing this will help maintain your gas heater and prevent it from malfunctioning.
In Sydney, Australia, there are quite a number of trustworthy plumbing companies that undertake home furnace repairs, gas system services, and installations. Contact any of them for your emergency gas plumbing needs.
