How To Light a Furnace Pilot

The pilot light on a gas furnace can go out because of drafts. To relight the pilot, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly; they are usually fastened to the furnace. If instructions for relighting the pilot are not provided, follow this general procedure:

Step 1: Find pilot light assembly. It typically has a gas valve with on, off, and pilot settings. Step 2: Turn valve to off and wait three minutes. Step 3: Switch valve to pilot setting. Hold lighted match to pilot opening while you push reset button on pilot control panel. Keep this button depressed until pilot flame burns brightly, then set valve to on position. Step 4: If pilot flame won't stay lit, opening may be clogged. Turn gas valve off, and clean opening with piece of fine wire. If it won't stay lit after several attempts, you may have faulty thermocouple. If pilot flame still won't stay lit, call professional service person. Some furnaces have an electrical system to ignite the gas; in these systems there is no pilot light. Instead, an electric element heats up and ignites the burners. If this electric ignition system malfunctions, call a professional service person. If the pilot light won't stay lit, the thermocouple -- a safety device -- might be malfunctioning. If ylou can not keep the pilot light lit, please call a Slife Heating & Cooling profressional, and we will gladly come out to get you up and running again!

Email Shelly Koenig at SKSocialMediaMarketing@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @ShellyKoenig76.