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How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is Out Locate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that’s easily visible. If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out. If there is a flame, check the color.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
Remove the front cover panel on your furnace. This should expose the pilot, which simply looks like a small single burner, kind of like a candle or if you only had a single flame lit on a gas stove. If there is no flame, then the pilot is out.
Does gas still flow when pilot light goes out?
If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard, and requiring immediate repair.
What happens if the pilot light goes out on a furnace?
If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.
What can cause a pilot light to go out?
What Causes A Pilot Light To Go Out? Age & Condition Of Heating System. If your gas or propane furnace has a standing pilot light, there’s a good chance that it is 20+ years old. Cracked Heat Exchanger. Gas Valve & Gas Supply Issues. Thermocouple Malfunction. Improper Venting & Airflow.
Does the gas company light pilot lights?
PG&E gas service professionals relight appliance pilots at no extra cost. “We want every family that we serve to be safe and warm this winter,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s chief customer officer.
How do you know if your furnace pilot light is out?
How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is Out Locate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that’s easily visible. If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out. If there is a flame, check the color.
Does gas turn off when pilot goes out?
This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out. If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking.
What could cause a pilot light to go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
Should I turn off furnace pilot in summer?
Most modern mid to high efficiency gas furnaces no longer have a pilot light. It’s been replaced by an electronic ignition. As a result, the furnace will not need to continuously burn gas in order to keep a pilot light going, making it unnecessary to turn off your furnace for the summer.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas furnace?
Most furnaces with electronic ignition have a device called a hot surface igniter. The difference is that the flame is only lit (by an electronic spark) when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. When the pilot light is not needed, it is completely off, saving you money on gas.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
Most service providers will charge a standard fee per visit that typically covers the cost to relight a gas water heater. This service call price can range from $80 to $100.
How do you reset the pilot light on a furnace?
Turn the knob to “Pilot” and hold down the “Reset” button. Using a long lighter, bring the flame close to the pilot opening. This should ignite the pilot light. Once the pilot is lit, you can release the reset button. The pilot should stay lit at this point.
What does the pilot light look like?
A proper pilot flame should be blue with a yellow tip and should be strong enough to cover about 1/2 inch at the end of the thermocouple tip. If the flame is too strong and improperly adjusted, it will be blue but may be noisy and lift off the thermocouple, causing improper furnace operation.
Why is my furnace not blowing hot air?
First, check to make sure the thermostat is set correctly. You will want to make sure that the fan control is set to auto, and not ‘on’. If the thermostat appears set correctly, turn off your heater at the thermostat and check the filter. If the filter is dirty, replace it.
Why is my furnace running but no heat?
Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won’t warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.
Is it safe to relight a pilot light?
But first, some words of caution: –Don’t relight the pilot light if there is a strong gas odor. Close the main gas shut-off valve for your house or for the appliance with the leak and call the gas company immediately. Get everyone out of the house until the problem is corrected by gas company technicians.
