Imagine it. Your worst nightmare as a homeowner in the middle of winter is manifesting and taking shape. And what nightmare might that be? You may ask. Well, being without a functioning furnace, of course! Who wants to go without heat in the middle of winter in Ohio? Not us! That is why Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning is here to help you should your furnace decide to start blowing cool air. There are a few reasons why this may happen. But usually, it’s because of your pilot light being blown out. So, after you have inspected your pilot light and if you find this to be the case with your own heating unit, you will want to prepare to relight the pilot light. Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of steps to make this a simple, stress-free process for you.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO RELIGHTING YOUR FURNACE’S PILOT LIGHT?
- It’s always best to refer to the equipment manufacturer for exact instructions when possible. Most manufacturers will have instructions on relighting the pilot light for your specific furnace printed on a label and positioned on the side of the heating unit. This comes in handy if your furnace is in a space that is easy to access and well-lit. However, if you find it difficult to locate and view the instructions, you can proceed to the steps below for some general instructions.
- First, make sure you have a long enough lighter that will reach your pilot light. Next, find your furnace’s burner cover and carefully remove it, placing it to the side. Thirdly, you will want to locate the furnace’s power switch to turn your system off. This switch is usually located at the base of the unit.
- This next step is VERY important, and before you move on to anything else, you must be sure not to skip this step. Once you have turned off the furnace and the gas supply, wait about five minutes to allow the gas to dissipate. Waiting for this amount of time is another crucial step. Otherwise, you risk your safety and damage to your home. In the meantime, look for where your pilot light assembly is; you just want to take note of its location.
- After five minutes have passed, you can turn the switch back on, then turn the knob to “pilot.” Then press and keep holding down the reset button. While still pressing the reset button, bring the ignited lighter to the pilot light opening. Be sure to move with caution. Once you are close enough, the flame from the lighter should spark the pilot light on, and you should be set to go with a now-operating pilot light.
- Give your HVAC system a few minutes to really warm up before you start noticing warm air being blown out of the vents, though. Turn the gas supply back on and place the burner cover back on the furnace, and you’re all done! Congratulations, you have just learned how to relight your furnace’s pilot light – a key skill we believe every homeowner should know!
DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE THERMOCOUPLE TO GET MY PILOT LIGHT WORKING AGAIN?
Suppose you have followed the above steps to a tee and were successfully able to relight your pilot light. However, you are encountering an issue with the pilot light not staying lit after letting go of the reset button. In that case, this signals that there may be an underlying issue with the thermocouple. Unless you are a licensed HVAC technician, we do not recommend extensive troubleshooting, so please give us a call, and we will get you squared away in no time.
TIPS TO REMEMBER:
- Always shut the furnace off first. We just want to take a moment to stress the importance of this step. You should never attempt to relight a pilot light without first powering the furnace down. Otherwise, this may lead to serious injuries and damage to your home.
- It is crucial for your safety to wait at least five minutes after turning the furnace off to allow the gas to disperse.
- Another important step is to refrain from keeping your hands too close to the flame. This is why we suggest using a long-reaching lighter. A good trick to mind is that if you don’t have a long enough lighter to reach your pilot light, you can also use a long matchstick to gain access to the pilot light area. As always, please exercise precaution.
- If your pilot light seems to just not be cooperating at all, you should try cleaning the vicinity around the pilot light. Often, buildup from surrounding dirt or debris can extinguish the flame and prevent it from igniting once again.
Still dealing with a stubborn pilot light? No problem – let us handle it for you! We will send out one of our amazing Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning technicians to your home to diagnose the issue and offer a resolution that will be sure to leave you not only satisfied but also left warm and toasty in the comfort of your own home. Call us for all your HVAC needs at (513) 216-5664, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!