Pilot lights will occasionally go out. Sometimes the cause is easily resolved, such as running out of propane or turning off the gas. However, if the pilot light needs to be relit more than once per season, it should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Filthy Pilot Light Opening Can Make Pilot Light Keep Going Out. If the mouth of the pilot is filled with gunk and dirt, it's nearly impossible for it to hold a flame. The flame it does hold will be weak, and easily extinguishable. A dirty pilot orifice will prevent your pilot light from staying lit.
Sometimes a pilot light can go out as a result of some source of wind or air simply blowing it out. If this happens, there could be an issue with how your flue pipe is set up or how your system is venting. Free Furnace Promotion: Replace your air conditioner and get a FREE Trane furnace*!
There is no flame always burning. But with a gas fireplace, and other gas elements in your home, the pilot light never stops burning, unless you have a standing pilot system, as mentioned. Either way, everything lights when you turn it on, every time.
This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn't, then there's probably a problem with your thermopile.
In many systems, a broken pilot light will prevent the appliance from working at all. This is a safety precaution to prevent a buildup of excess gas in the unit, which can be dangerous for you and your family, potentially leading to a gas leak.
Dirty Thermocouple
If it's filthy shut your gas off so that the unit can cool down, then gently clean it by carefully rubbing it with fine grain sandpaper. When you're done, simply turn the gas back on and light the pilot again. If dirt or grime was the issue, your light shouldn't go out again!
Is It Dangerous if The Pilot Light Goes Out? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself, it could result in a very serious explosion.
Rather than keep a flame burning all the time, the intermittent pilot only lights when needed. The system responds to the command for heat by using an electric spark to ignite the flame. A sensor registers the flame and lights the main burner, at which point the pilot light goes out.
Newer gas furnaces (since about 2010) do not have a traditional pilot light that burns all the time. Instead they use electronic ignition systems that light only as needed. Constant flame or “standing pilot” heating systems are still fairly common in older homes, and they can still be repaired in most cases.
The Pilot Lights But Won't Stay Lit
If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that's the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
Gently scrub any corrosion or oxidation on the thermocouple tip using very fine steel wool or a green cleaning pad. Take care not to bend or damage the internal sensor.
It's important to allow a bit of time to pass from turning off the pilot before attempting to relight it. This lets the gas dissipate from the chamber so you don't ignite excess gas when relighting the pilot light. A minute to two minutes is sufficient.
Air in the gas line: Enough air in the gas line will put out the pilot light. This is an issue a professional will need to diagnose and take care of. Problems with the thermostat: The thermostat can also impact the pilot light. It must be fixed or replaced to resolve the issue.
Failed Thermocouple Symptoms
The first is signs of contamination on the tube, which can include discoloration, cracks, or pinholes. Next, check the wiring for any signs of wear or corrosion like missing insulation or bare wire.
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.
Intermittent Pilot: A pilot that burns during light-off and while the main burner is firing. Interrupted Pilot: A pilot that is ignited and burns during light-off and is automatically shut off at the end of the trial-for-ignition period of the main burner.
CPI – Continuous Pilot Ignition, means your pilot light stays on constantly, even hen the fireplace main flame is not on. IPI – Intermittent Pilot Ignition, means your pilot is lit only on demand to ignite the main burner, right after you turn the fireplace on.
If you have an older gas furnace with a pilot light, there's a good chance that the light has gone out at some point or another. This can happen for several different reasons, including: Inefficiently burning flame. Normally, your pilot light should be burning bright blue.
Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented to the outside. Gas ovens and ranges should be monitored closely and kept in good working order.
A: Yes, it's generally safe to leave the pilot light on in your gas fireplace. This small flame is designed to stay lit all the time. Q: What are the benefits of leaving the pilot light on? A: Keeping the pilot light on can prevent the build-up of moisture in the fireplace, which can lead to corrosion over time.
Thermocouples are relatively affordable components, typically ranging from $10 to $30, depending on the brand and quality. However, keep in mind that DIY replacement requires knowledge of furnace systems and gas connections, and improper installation can lead to safety hazards.
If the pilot flame ignites but goes out after you release the gas control knob, the cause may be a dirty or defective thermocouple. If the gas is on but the flame will not ignite at all, a pilot tube obstruction is the most likely issue. Remove the pilot tube from the gas valve and spray compressed air to clear it.
A properly working pilot light flame should be a cone-like shape, bright blue in color and yellow at the tip. A lazy orange/yellow flame means the furnace or water heater isn't getting hot enough to heat the thermocouple to the point where it triggers the gas valve to open.
Faulty or dirty flame sensor
If the flame sensor gets a layer of grime over it or becomes faulty, it may mistakenly shut off the gas even though the burners ignited. Professionals can clean or replace the flame sensor to correct this.