How do I light the pilot on my outdoor furnace?
Once the gas has had time to dissipate, turn the knob to “Pilot.” Then, hold down the “Reset” button and bring the flame of a long lighter close to the pilot light opening. This should light the furnace pilot light. Once you are sure the pilot light is on, release your pressure on the reset button.
What should I do if my furnace pilot light keeps going out?
If you’re having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple, double-check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces, but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters.
What is the standing pilot light on a gas furnace called?
A gas furnace’s standing pilot, in which the flame is lit at all times, is sometimes referred to as a pilot light.
How to check the operation of a standing pilot light?
To inspect the operation of the standing pilot light: Remove the furnace cover panel, which should expose the burner assembly and pilot. You should be able to see the flame of the pilot light. If the pilot light is out, attempt to relight it. If the pilot light does not light or does not stay lit, then replace the thermocouple.
Where is the thermocouple on a furnace pilot light?
No matter the pilot configuration, the thermocouple will be near the burners—look for a removable metal rod nearby. Locate the copper rod near the burners. This is the thermocouple. If you look very closely, you’ll find the thermocouple tucked in behind the burners.
What does a standing pilot light on a furnace mean?
It’s a little blue flame that sits in front of one of the furnace burners and burns continuously. Hot water heaters, gas fireplaces, and old gas stoves also often have similar standing pilot lights. If your furnace has a little round knob on the gas valve with the words OFF/ON/PILOT, you have a standing pilot ignition.
How do you relight a furnace pilot light?
Wait five to 10 minutes for any residual gas to clear out of the furnace. Turn the gas control knob or knobs to the ON position. Replace the access panel. Turn the electrical power to the furnace back on. Set your thermostat to your desired temperature. After a few seconds, the pilot will light up, igniting the furnace’s burners.
What happens when the pilot light is extinguished on a gas furnace?
If the thermocouple or flame sensor does not sense enough heat from the pilot flame—such as when the pilot is extinguished—then the thermocouple shuts off the gas valve delivering gas to the burners.
How can you tell if a furnace has an intermittent pilot?
You can identify an intermittent pilot by its heavy-gauge wire leading to a device with a metal tip that is positioned next to the end of a small gas line, which supplies the pilot flame. Most of today’s furnaces with electronic ignition have a hot surface igniter or HSI.
