An extinguished pilot light is a common enough occurrence, so if you’re suddenly dealing with your furnace blowing cool air, it’s likely the issue. This can be very frustrating, but don’t worry! As heating and cooling professionals, this is something we see often in our industry. At Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air, we are experts in all things HVAC. So, if you find yourself in the dark because your heat is out, don’t despair! Follow our simple instructions below to get your pilot light relit on your own!
How Do I Relight My Furnace’s Pilot Light?
Don’t be afraid of relighting your pilot light; it’s easy when you follow these steps.
Part 1: The best place to start when you need instructions on how to relight your pilot light is actually on the side of your furnace! There should be directions for your exact furnace model on the unit’s side. These come straight from the manufacturer. However, if your furnace is situated somewhere difficult or dark to reach, reading them may not be possible. In this case, refer to the general steps provided below. Moreover, before beginning the whole relighting process, note that you will need a long matchstick or lighter in order to reach the pilot light area.
Part 2:
- If your furnace has a burner cover, remove it. This is the metal faceplate that covers and protects the opening of your pilot light.
- Power off the furnace completely. Most furnaces have a power switch located at the base of the unit.
- Next, turn off the gas valve to your furnace. This is crucial for safety reasons.
- After you have shut off the gas supply, take five minutes for the built-up gas to dissipate properly before proceeding to the next steps. This is very important for the safety of your home and loved ones—the gas needs time to disperse. During this waiting period, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with where the pilot light assembly is. This should consist of a knob-like switch labeled with “pilot, reset, and on/off.” The wording is subject to vary.
Part 3: When a minimum of five minutes has passed, the next step is to switch the “pilot” setting on. Then press and hold the “reset” button down while, with your other hand, you bring your ignited lighter close to the pilot light’s opening. Once you’re close enough, the pilot will spark and ignite. When this happens, let go of the “reset” button—fingers crossed that it stays lit! If not, there might be a problem with a component. To sum it up, if your pilot light is still lit after completing the steps listed above – good job! You have successfully learned how to relight your pilot light.
Part 4:
- Be sure to turn the gas supply back on when all is said and done.
- If you had to remove the burner cover from your furnace, don’t forget to return it back to its intended spot.
Is your pilot light going out as soon as you release the switch? If so, Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air is here to help. Our NATE-certified technicians will come to your house and have your heat up and running again in no time. Call us today at (614) 490-7520, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
