What Happens When the Pilot Light Goes Out?

Many gas-based appliances will feature a pilot light, a small flame burning inside the device that must stay lit at all times. The flame restarts the burner and prevents gas from leaking out of the appliance.

Newer appliances, even gas-based ones, might not have pilot lights, as new devices often use electric ignition instead of old-fashioned pilot lights. But if you do have an older gas appliance with a pilot light in Mabank, TX, it is important to be aware that eventually the pilot light will go out, and you need to be prepared to take the proper steps to get it relit. Sometimes the issue is easy to resolve, but in other circumstances you might need the assistance of a service professional to ensure the device gets properly relit.

Whether your pilot light shut off by itself or you chose to shut it off for some particular reason, it is important that you know how to relight the device. This is generally a simple process—the manufacturer’s directions are usually printed on the furnace in an obvious location. Follow those directions precisely.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps you’ll usually need to take to get the pilot light running again:

• Turn off: Before attempting to relight the pilot light, you should always flip the power switch to turn off power to the appliance. You might also control the power from the thermostat.
• Pilot setting: Once the appliance is off, find the gas control valve knob. There should be a setting labeled “pilot.” Turn the knob to that setting before proceeding. If the controls seem to be sticky, you should not try to force the knob—contact a professional instead. Forcing it could result in damage that could make gas leaks more likely.
• Lighting: To light the pilot light, press the red button and hold a match up to the pilot burner. You might need to use a long match to be able to reach the specific area where the light is located. Be sure to hold down the red button until you get the flame lit.
• Button: Even after you have the flame lit, continue to hold down the red button for another 60 seconds or so. After that time has passed, let go of the button and check to see if the flame is still lit. If so, then you have successfully relit your pilot light. If the light goes out, you can try again, but if it keeps going out, you’re going to need the assistance of a professional technician.
• Turn on: Once the light stays lit, you can return the gas knob to the “on” position from the “pilot” position, and return any doors or panels you might have had to remove to be able to restart the pilot light.

If you are at all uncomfortable with turning on your pilot light or believe there might be a more significant underlying problem in your furnace, contact Ken’s Comfort Zone Air Conditioning for help with pilot light troubleshooting in Mabank, TX.

Categorised in: Pilot Lights

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