Calling a reputable HVAC company is usually the best way to fix a pilot light that keeps going out. Sometimes, there are causes you can fix yourself. If there is a draft nearby that is blowing out the light, for example, you can locate the source and find a solution. That can be as simple as closing a window.
Thermocouple Malfunction
It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open. A thermocouple that is dirty or malfunctioning will often shut off your gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out and your furnace to stop working.
A preferred method of curbing pilot outage problems is to install an exterior extension of the chimney or B-vent. The science behind this method is simple once you recall why this problem occurs in the first place. Remember that the wind picks up speed as it hits the roof?
Your water heater requires air to keep the pilot light burning. Otherwise, the flame goes out. Ensure that the water heater is not surrounded by clutter, lint, or debris to increase the amount of combustible air. Keep the surrounding area as clean as possible.
A dirty or corroded flame sensor can cause your furnace to keep shutting off unexpectedly. The flame sensor detects if the furnace's burner is lit, and if it doesn't register the flame, it will shut off the gas valve to prevent a gas leak.
Your Gas Valve Needs Attention
The gas valve on your furnace delivers the gas your pilot light needs to remain lit. If the valve is turned ON, but your pilot light won't stay lit, the problem might be a broken gas valve. The solution most likely will be to replace the valve.
When oxygen is pushed away from the wick, it can't react with the wax anymore. This makes the flame go out. Next time you blow out a candle, think about what your breath is actually doing.
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.
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.
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.
Being exposed to drafts or wind – Most pilot lights simply blow out.
Prevailing winds are global wind belts that blow from the same direction over the same sections of the Earth throughout the year. Prevailing winds blow continuously because the heat imbalances that create them always exist. Wind's speed is determined by how much of a pressure difference exists.
The flame will go out if you release the knob before it is hot. The thermocouple can become dirty and caked with grit, preventing it from heating up and detecting that the pilot is lit. As a result, the pilot will always go out after you release the reset button.
Unless your furnace was installed before 2010, it most likely instead uses either an intermittent pilot light or some form of electronic ignition. The primary reason that furnace manufacturers have moved away from standing pilot lights is to improve energy efficiency.
The job of the thermocouple is to keep the pilot lit.
Once you've located the thermocouple, do a visual inspection. You're looking for a few things. 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.
Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit
The issue could be: A dirty tube: If the pilot light tube is dirty, it can put out the light over time. You'll need to clean it with something abrasive to get it working again. Not enough gas: Sometimes, the gas valve will leak, or something else prevents gas from getting through the line.
Cleaning the thermocouple
You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire connects to the thermocouple terminal.
Call Your Local Mr. Rooter Plumber! If you are having trouble getting your water heater pilot light on, or you can't get it to stay lit for long, rely on a plumbing professional for water heater repair, maintenance, and replacement services.
A flame requires three essential ingredients, known as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and heat. If any of these elements are missing or if the balance is disrupted, the flame will go out.
Spontaneous ignition or self-heating occurs when the heat generated by slow oxidation in a fuel exposed to air exceeds the heat losses to the surroundings. This leads to an increase in temperature, which in turn accelerates the chemical reaction and eventually leads to thermal runaway and glowing or flaming ignition.
The loss of flame can have a variety of causes, such as fuel starvation, excessive altitude, compressor stall, foreign object damage deriving from birds, hail, or volcanic ash, severe precipitation, mechanical failure, or very low ambient temperatures.