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.
Safety Considerations for Pilot Light Issues
If you smell gas or notice unusual sounds when your indicator flame goes out, leave your home immediately and contact emergency services. These signs could indicate serious safety concerns that require immediate professional attention.
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light
A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150. This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
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.
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.
Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours. This guide reviews how to replace a thermocouple to ensure gas appliances stay in good working order, as well as how to relight a pilot light.
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.
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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*!
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.
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.
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.
Improper Venting or Air Supply
The air around a pilot light impacts how it functions. Air moving around the flame can disrupt it or blow it out entirely.
There's really just one telltale sign of letting you know when the thermocouple isn't working, and that's when the pilot light won't stay lit.
If your gas fireplace pilot light keeps going out, you may have a problem with faulty pilot controls. The pilot control failing due to age or a mechanical issue can cause your pilot light to keep going out and prevent it from being relit.
If you don't see a spark when you press the igniter button or you can't get the pilot to light, you can try to manually light it with a match or stick lighter. Once you see the pilot flame, you will need to continue to hold the control knob in for around 30 seconds.
While holding the gas control knob, repeatedly press the ignite button until the flame stays lit. While holding in the gas control knob, press the ignitor button (this is typically a square button and should be clearly labeled). Click the ignitor button about one time every second. You should hear it click.
A: Yes, turning off the pilot light when the fireplace isn't in use, such as during the warmer months, can help save energy and reduce your gas bill.
A fireplace pilot light might consume about 24,000 BTU per day, adding up to about 720,000 BTU a month, or 7.2 therms. If you're paying $1 per therm, then leaving the pilot light on all the time throughout a month might cost you around $7 per month and $84 per year.
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.
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.
Once you have replaced the thermocouple, turn on the furnace and check to see if the pilot light stays lit. If your pilot light doesn't stay lit, it may be due to something blocking the thermocouple. You can try cleaning or replacing it, but if that doesn't work, you may need to call a professional.