-How to Light your Gas Pilot Light
The pilot light heats a special element that produces an electrical signal. When the light goes out, the signal stops and your gas control valve will not allow gas to go to the furnace. This is an important safety feature which prevents gas build-up and explosions. There are several reasons why the pilot light could go out, from a gust of wind to other mechanical or supply reasons. If your furnace has quit working, check to see if the pilot light is burning. If not, the first thing you need to do is see if you can get the pilot light re-lit.
- Turn off the gas valve.
Start by turning off the gas valve at the front of your heater and waiting a few minutes (3 or 4) for the valve to re-set. Next turn the valve to the position marked “pilot light”. This position should be half way between the “off” position and the “on” or “burner on” position. In this position, no gas will flow to the burner, but when you hold the button down, gas will flow to the pilot light.
- Find the location of the pilot light.
The pilot light is located under the burner or right beside the burner in a location that will allow the pilot light to ignite the gas to the burner. Above the pilot burner is a metal cylinder about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter and about 2 or three inches long. This cylinder has a narrow diameter tube that runs up to it. When the pilot burner is lit, the cylinder is in the flame. This cylinder is called a thermocouple and is what causes the electrical current that tells the gas valve it is safe to open the gas.
- Light the pilot light.
Often, to reach the pilot light (with a match), you will need either needle-nose pliers or a length of wire that can hold the match up to the place where the pilot light sits. (You can sometimes use those long fireplace matches.) First, bend a sharp bend in the wire that will hold your match stick. Put an un-lit stick in the wire, and see if you can hold the match up to the pilot light burner. (Bend the wire so the match is right up to the pilot light burner when it is lit.)
Light the match and put it up to the pilot light burner. Press down on the pilot light button so gas will flow to the pilot light burner. The burner should start right away. KEEP THE BUTTON PRESSED DOWN FOR 60 SECONDS. It takes about a minute for the special element in the thermocouple to start generating the electrical signal that the control valve needs.
If the pilot light keeps burning after you let go of the button, you should be all set. Turn the control valve to “ON” and let the furnace do its thing.
- The pilot light will not stay lit.
If the pilot light will light when you push down on the pilot light button, but (AFTER at least 60 seconds) goes out after you quit pushing , you probably have a bad thermocouple. It needs to be replaced. This requires a few tools and you probably will want to have a plumber/furnace technician do the work.
If the pilot light will not start – even when you are holding down the pilot light button – you probably have a problem with your gas supply. There could be a bubble of air in the line, or there could be a kink in the supply that is not allowing enough gas to the burner. If you hold the pilot light button down long enough, you may be able to bleed an air bubble out of the line. If the supply line is damaged, you need to get a professional in to replace it. If you use propane (LPG) gas, check to be sure your tank is not empty. Sometimes, the natural gas supply can be disrupted in the transmission lines. If that happens, you will have to wait for your gas supplier to fix the problem at the source.
