If your pilot light keeps going out, you should call a licensed HVAC technician or a plumber. If the issue is with a gas furnace, an HVAC company is best; if it is a water heater or boiler, a plumber is highly recommended.
How To Fix Your Pilot Light
While plumbers handle most water heater issues, you may need an electrician if your unit has: Faulty wiring. Keeps tripping the breaker. Won't power on.
Common Signs of a Bad Furnace Thermocouple
Pilot Light Issues: The pilot light may go out due to a blocked or damaged thermocouple. Relighting is typically inexpensive unless the thermocouple requires replacement, which can range between $120 and $300.
Yes, you can safely relight a water heater pilot light yourself. Most units have a convenient push-button spark igniter, though some older models require a long match. Always air out the area first, and if you ever smell a strong sulfur or rotten egg odor, do not attempt to light it and call your gas provider immediately.
6 Common Reasons Your Pilot Light Keeps Going Out
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.
On average, professional replacement costs can range from $100 to $300 or more, depending on these factors. 3.
A healthy pilot flame should be a crisp, steady blue, engulfing the top third of the thermocouple. A weak, yellow, or wavering flame often indicates a dirty pilot orifice or a gas supply issue, preventing the thermocouple from getting hot enough to function.
Signs a Water Heater is Going Bad
If the project is as simple as replacing an old water heater with a new one, a handyman can likely do it with no trouble. However, converting a gas water heater to an electric one or putting in specific wiring and framing for the water heater will likely require the skill set of a licensed professional.
A: Traditional tank water heaters usually last 8–12 years, while tankless units often last 15–20+ years. Q: Should I replace my water heater if it's over 10 years old? A: Often yes. Even if it still works, the risk of leaks and sudden failure increases significantly after 10 years.
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.
It's sometimes called the “flame sensor.” It shuts the gas off if the pilot goes out. Gas that flows through your furnace could enter your house if the thermocouple fails to turn it off. Protecting your home from gas buildup is the thermocouple.
Your gas fireplace could be turning off for several reasons. The most like culprits are likely tied to some kind of problem with your setup. Anything from issues with your pilot light, clogged ports on burners, damage to heating components, and thermocouple/thermopile malfunctions can be to blame.
A bad thermocouple primarily interrupts the gas supply, failing to signal the gas valve that a flame is present. The most common symptoms are a pilot light that will not stay lit when you release the control knob, frequent burner shutdowns, or a furnace/water heater that refuses to ignite.
The heat exchanger is often considered the most costly part of a furnace to repair or replace. It is a critical component that transfers heat from the combustion process to the air that circulates throughout your home. Over time, heat exchangers can crack due to the constant heating and cooling cycles they undergo.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are legally allowed to work on gas appliances, as incorrect repairs can be extremely dangerous. Common gas cooker repair jobs include: Fixing ignition or burner faults. Replacing damaged thermocouples or flame failure devices.
A thermocouple typically lasts between 3 to 10 years, though this varies widely based on operating conditions. In high-temperature industrial applications (up to 1260∘C1260 raised to the composed with power C1260∘C), K-type thermocouples may last 1 to 3 years, while residential gas fireplace thermocouples generally last 3 to 5 years.
Replacing a thermocouple is something you can do at home, only requiring an open-end wrench and screwdriver or nut driver. Safety First: Before starting, turn off the power and gas supply to the furnace.
If your pilot light won’t stay lit, the most common culprit is a dirty or faulty thermocouple (the small metal rod next to the flame that signals the gas valve to stay open). To fix it: hold the gas knob down longer, clean or replace the thermocouple, or clear a blocked pilot tube.
A pilot light going out is not always dangerous, but it should be addressed quickly. Most modern furnaces include safety features that shut off the gas supply if the pilot flame goes out. However, if you smell gas or cannot safely relight the pilot light, you should contact an HVAC professional immediately.
If a new thermocouple fails to keep the pilot lit, the sensor tip is likely misaligned, the connection to the gas valve is loose, or the pilot orifice is blocked. The thermocouple must generate a tiny electrical current to hold the safety valve open.