If after following the proper steps you still can't get your pilot light to stay lit, call an HVAC pro for a furnace repair.
An electrical pilot is actually far simpler, as all you'll need to do is either depress the knob or flip a switch, depending on the furnace model. Within the next half-minute, the pilot should resume normal operation. If it doesn't, then you'll want to call a furnace specialist to handle the issue.
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.
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.
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.
Having the pilot light turn off is not automatically cause for panic. If it goes out, follow your manufacturer's instructions and determine whether relighting it is safe. If relighting is not safe, or if your pilot light keeps going out, call for help from a trained technician.
The Short Answer Is: It is generally safe for a homeowner to relight a furnace pilot light, as long as they follow proper precautions and guidelines. To do it yourself, first, turn off the furnace's gas supply and wait for a few minutes to allow any lingering gas to dissipate.
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. You may wish to save yourself a few dollars by relighting the pilot light yourself.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The main reasons why a pilot light won't stay lit include: A dirty pilot light tube. Not enough gas or no gas at all. A faulty thermocouple.
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.
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. This may or may not be a concern for you.
If after following the proper steps you still can't get your pilot light to stay lit, call an HVAC pro for a furnace repair.
Faulty thermocouple: If the pilot light repeatedly goes out, the furnace's thermocouple may need replacing. When this flame sensor fails, gas continues to flow even if the pilot light has been extinguished. This is a safety hazard and requires immediate professional repair.
If you are in need of an earlier appointment, a gas plumber, handyman, or maintenance person can also perform a pilot relight.
Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to relight a gas furnace's pilot light.
The inspector is not required to: light or ignite pilot flames. measure the capacity, temperature, age, life expectancy or adequacy of the water heater.
Absolutely! We can send a gas service technician to light your pilot, and conduct a gas safety check of your gas fireplace or any other gas appliance to ensure your safety. You can schedule an appointment by logging into Your Account and selecting the Service Requests tab.
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.
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*!