If you’re having trouble getting your furnace to turn on, the first thing you should do is check to make sure the pilot light is lit. The pilot light is a small, orange flame that is located near the furnace burner. If the pilot light is out, you’ll need to light it to get your furnace back up and running. But how do you light a furnace pilot light? Today, we’ll walk you through the steps to get your gas furnace’s pilot light lit again.
Locate the furnace, cut the power, and wait for the gas to dissipate.
The first thing you need to do is locate your furnace. It should be in a utility room, basement, or garage. Once you’ve found the furnace, you’ll need to remove the access panel. You can remove the panel by using a screwdriver to remove the screws holding it in place. After removing the panel, you’ll need to find the pilot light assembly. At the pilot light assembly, there should be a knob that usually has three settings marked as “off,” “on,” and “pilot.” Turn the knob to off and wait for the residual gas to dissipate.
You’ll need to wait roughly five minutes for the residual gas to dissipate from inside of the unit. This step is vital because attempting to light the pilot while residual gas is still present in the unit, could ignite the gas and cause a fire or explosion if there’s enough gas present.
Light the pilot light with a match or lighter.
Once the gas has dissipated, you’re ready to light the pilot light. You’ll either need a fireplace match or a long lighter to do this. To light the pilot light, turn the knob to the pilot position and hold down the reset button. With the reset button pressed, bring the match or lighter flame closer to the pilot light. The flame will eventually ignite, and you can release the reset button. After releasing the reset button, turn the knob to the on position, and then wait a few minutes for the furnace to heat up.
Why is my pilot light not staying lit?
If the pilot light does not stay lit, it may be due to a number of reasons. If the pilot light doesn’t come on after a few tries, it might be because there’s a build-up of dirt or debris around the pilot light. Try cleaning the area around the pilot light to see if that helps. A build-up of dirt or debris can cause the flame to be extinguished or prevent it from being lit at all. Another common reason for your pilot light not staying lit is a lack of air flow. To correct this, the furnace filter should be checked and replaced if necessary.
A build-up of carbon monoxide can be another reason for this situation. If you suspect a buildup of carbon monoxide in your gas furnace, you should take immediate action to evacuate your home and call a licensed professional. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.
Keep your gas furnace maintained.
Now that you know how to light a furnace pilot light, you can handle it yourself when it goes out. It’s crucial to keep your gas furnace in working order so it can heat your home properly and conserve energy. If you’re having problems with your furnace or you cannot keep the pilot light lit, contact a licensed professional to service your furnace and ensure it’s working properly.
