Restore the Heat: How to Relight Your Furnace Pilot Light

Hey there, Evansville! If you’ve been feeling a little chill in your home lately and suspect your furnace might be acting up, you could be dealing with a pesky pilot light issue. Don’t worry; it happens to the best of us. Understanding how to relight your furnace’s pilot light can save you from a cold night and unnecessary stress. Let’s dive into what you need to know to keep your home cozy!

Understanding the Pilot Light

So, what’s a pilot light, anyway? It’s a small flame that plays a vital role in your gas furnace. This little guy stays lit to ignite the main burners whenever your thermostat calls for heat. Without it, your furnace won’t produce any warmth—definitely not what you want on a chilly day!

Common Reasons for Pilot Light Issues

There are several reasons why your pilot light might go out. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Age of the Furnace: Older units, especially those over 20 years, might struggle with maintaining a steady pilot light due to worn-out components.

• Ventilation Problems: Drafts from leaky ducts or incorrectly installed flues can blow out the pilot light.

• Thermocouple Issues: This safety device detects the pilot flame. If it’s dirty or damaged, it might prevent the gas flow, causing the pilot light to go out.

• Gas Valve or Fuel Supply Problems: If the gas valve isn’t functioning correctly, your pilot light won’t receive enough fuel, and it will extinguish.

• Broken Heat Exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can disrupt air pressure, potentially blowing out the pilot light.

Safety Precautions Before Relighting

Before you jump into relighting that pilot light, let’s talk safety. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area and keep any flammable materials away from the furnace. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

Steps to Relight the Pilot Light

Now, let’s get to the good stuff—the steps for relighting your pilot light:

1. Check the Equipment’s Instruction Manual: This will give you specific information about your furnace and how to relight the pilot light.

2. Locate the Furnace’s Reset Switch and Pilot Light Assembly: You’ll usually find this at the bottom of your furnace. Turn the knob to the “off” position first.

3. Wait Several Minutes for Gas Dissipation: Give it at least five minutes for any leftover gas to clear out. Safety first!

4. Relight the Pilot Light: Turn the knob back to “pilot,” press the reset button, and use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot light.

5. Observe the Furnace’s Functions for Other Problems: Keep an eye on the pilot light to make sure it stays lit. If it keeps going out, it’s time to call in the pros!

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried relighting the pilot light and it keeps blowing out, it might be time to call in the experts. Issues with the thermocouple, gas valve, or heat exchanger can be tricky, and it's best to leave those to the professionals.

Keep the Chill Away: Your Comfort is Our Priority!

At Lappe Heating & Air, keeping your home warm and comfortable is our priority. While knowing how to relight your furnace’s pilot light is a useful skill, remember that you’re not alone.

If you encounter a furnace problem that’s beyond your comfort level, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help you stay cozy all winter long!

For winter HVAC prep and furnace selection tips, check out our Guide to Furnace Selection. If you need furnace repairs, learn how to choose the right HVAC contractor in our HVAC Contractor Guide. Stay warm!