To light a furnace pilot light, turn the gas control knob to “OFF” and wait five minutes for any gas to clear. Then turn the knob to “PILOT,” press and hold the reset button, light the pilot burner with a long lighter, and keep holding the button for 30 to 60 seconds before turning the knob to “ON.”
However, this process applies only to older furnaces with a standing pilot. Newer furnaces typically use electronic ignition and do not have a pilot light to relight.
How do you light the pilot then? Let’s figure it out now.
What Is a Pilot Light?
A pilot light is a small, continuously burning flame in an older gas furnace that ignites the main burner when the furnace needs to produce heat. It uses a small amount of gas and stays lit between heating cycles, ready to ignite the burners when the thermostat calls for heat.
Most newer furnaces use electronic ignition instead of a standing pilot light, so they do not have a pilot flame to light manually.
What Does A Furnace Pilot Light Look Like?
A furnace pilot light looks like a small blue flame coming from a small pilot burner near the main burners. On an older gas furnace, you may also see a thin metal or gas tube leading to the pilot assembly if it is a gas furnace.
The pilot flame is usually steady and blue when it is burning properly. If you see a weak, yellow, or flickering flame, the pilot assembly may need attention. Keep in mind that newer furnaces often use electronic ignition, so you may not see a continuously burning pilot light at all.
Where to Find the Pilot Light on a Furnace?
On a furnace with a standing pilot, the pilot light is usually located inside the lower section of the furnace, near the burner assembly. If it is a Goodman furnace, then look for a small gas tube leading to a small pilot burner and a gas control knob marked “OFF,” “PILOT,” and “ON.”
The exact location varies by furnace model, so check the owner’s manual before removing panels or trying to light it. Older gas furnaces are more likely to have a standing pilot, while newer furnaces typically use electronic ignition instead.
Tip: If you cannot find a pilot assembly, your furnace may use an electronic ignition system, meaning there is no pilot light to manually relight.
4 Reasons behind Trouble Lighting Furnace Pilot
Generally, most of the newer furnaces have an electric ignition method. On the other hand old furnace have a standing pilot flame. In these old gas furnace systems, the flame light is a small ignition and situated under the gas furnace.
1. Age of the Heating System Hinders “Turn On” Pilot Light Furnace
If your furnace is more than 15 years old, there is a high chance that your heating unit has a standing pilot flame. Again, when you have an older heating unit, parts of your burner may be in bad condition. Besides, if you haven’t cleaned your furnace for a long time, furnace parts like a pilot valve, knob, the gas valve will be clogged. As a result, your furnace pilot light will go out frequently. If it goes out more than once, don’t ignore it; take it as an alarming sign to replace your furnace.
2. Cracked Heat Exchanger of the Heating Unit
This type of problem is usually seen in older burners and this may lead to frequent pilot light go out. When burners have a crack in the heat exchanger, they’ll put a negative impact on the air pressure and ventilation in the gas burner. Eventually, this will put a negative effect on the flame as well. That’s why as soon as you find out that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, call your near HVAC professional and fix it quickly.
3. Malfunction in the Gas Valve
If you want your pilot valve to stay lit all the time, you’ll have to input a good source of gas. But when your gas burner has a malfunctioning gas valve, it won’t be possible and as a result, your furnace pilot light won’t light. Again, if the supply of your gas gets low, you can have a furnace pilot light problem. That’s why it’s necessary to make sure that your gas supply is functioning properly.
Call your near heat pump professional and take their service to find out the exact problem in your heating unit. Otherwise, it may cause a carbon monoxide leak.
4. Problem in the Thermocouple
The thermocouple is an important device and plays an important role in lighting furnace pilot light. It is generally situated near the bottom of the flame of the burner and when the thermocouple is lit, the pilot light gives instructions to the thermocouple to keep the gas line on. But when you have a dirty thermocouple, the thermocouple won’t be able to receive instructions properly and as a result, the pilot light won’t turn on. That’s why it’s important to keep the thermocouple clean.
If you’re not comfortable in cleaning your thermocouple, call your nearby HVAC professional and take their service.
Is It Possible to Lighting Furnace Pilot Light at Home By Myself?
Many home-owners don’t know whether it’s safe to turn on the pilot light by themselves or not. If you’re an expert in dealing with furnaces, you should only then try to turn on the pilot light of the heating system. Otherwise, you should never try lighting the pilot. Again, while lighting the pilot lights, you’ll have to make sure that you follow all the instructions and steps properly. However, if you’re not an expert or don’t know how to use a pilot light, call your near HVAC professional.
5 Steps to Turn On a Furnace Pilot Light
Step 1: Find the Owner’s Manual
Before lighting the pilot, check your furnace’s owner’s manual. It will show you the location of the gas control knob, pilot burner, and reset or ignition button. Keep the manual nearby while you work.
Step 2: Turn the Gas Control to OFF
Locate the gas control knob and turn it to OFF. Wait about five minutes before continuing so any accumulated gas can dissipate. If you smell gas at any point, do not attempt to light the pilot.
Step 3: Turn the Knob to PILOT
After waiting, turn the gas control knob to PILOT. Locate the reset or pilot button, which is usually near the gas control and pilot assembly.
Step 4: Light the Pilot
Press and hold the reset button while following the ignition instructions for your furnace. Once the pilot flame appears, continue holding the button for the time specified in the owner’s manual. The source describes holding the button briefly after ignition before releasing it.
Step 5: Turn the Gas Control to ON
If the pilot stays lit after you release the button, slowly turn the gas control knob from PILOT to ON. The furnace should then be ready to operate.
Conclusion
Relighting a furnace pilot light can be simple when you have an older gas furnace with a standing pilot. Always follow your furnace manufacturer’s instructions and never attempt to light the pilot if you smell gas. If the pilot keeps going out, will not stay lit, or your furnace uses electronic ignition, have an HVAC professional diagnose the problem instead of repeatedly trying to relight it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you relight a furnace by yourself?
Yes, if your furnace has a standing pilot light and the manufacturer’s instructions allow homeowner relighting. Follow the instructions for your specific model. If you smell gas, cannot identify the pilot assembly, or the pilot keeps going out, stop and call an HVAC professional.
Can I relight the pilot light by myself?
You can relight a standing pilot if you are comfortable following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, newer furnaces often use electronic ignition and do not have a pilot light to relight manually.
Will a furnace still run if the pilot light is out?
No. On a furnace that uses a standing pilot, the pilot provides the flame needed to ignite the main burners. If the pilot goes out, the furnace will not produce heat until the pilot is relit or the underlying problem is fixed.
How do I tell if my pilot light went out on my furnace?
If you have an older furnace with a standing pilot, look through the pilot-viewing area near the burner assembly. You should see a small, steady flame. If there is no flame and the furnace is not producing heat, the pilot may have gone out.
Can you manually light a furnace if the igniter is not working?
It depends on the furnace. Do not manually light a furnace that uses electronic ignition unless the manufacturer’s instructions specifically provide a manual procedure. A furnace with a standing pilot may have a manual relighting procedure, but a failed electronic igniter usually requires diagnosis or replacement rather than bypassing the ignition system.
