If your gas pressure is too low, the pilot light may not light at all or may go out frequently. This could indicate a problem with the gas provider or a regulator issue. You may need to contact your gas provider to check your home's gas pressure or have a technician inspect the regulator.
Check the pilot light
One of the most common reasons a gas fireplace won't turn on is often an extinguished pilot light. A strong downdraft, an interruption in the fuel line, or a build-up of soot and dust can cause the pilot light to flame out.
In many cases, the reason that you can't get your pilot light to ignite is that the pilot tube is clogged. This is a small metal tube that supplies the gas needed to ignite the pilot and keep it lit. The pilot tube often becomes clogged with debris, and this will prevent gas from flowing to the pilot light.
Many contemporary gas fires have shifted towards electronic ignition systems. This method doesn't rely on a constantly burning pilot light. Instead, it sparks to life only when you switch the fire on. This approach can be more energy-efficient, as it doesn't consume gas when the fire is off.
Common causes include problems with the pilot light, thermocouple, gas supply, obstructions, ignition system, gas pressure, and weather conditions. While some issues can be resolved with basic troubleshooting, others may require professional assistance.
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.
If the pilot light is extinguished, allow at least 5 minutes for accumulated gas to disperse after turning off the gas valve before attempting to relight the pilot. Follow manufacturer's specific instructions for relighting the pilot after the gas has dispersed.
Using a long match or long-barreled lighter, press and hold down the gas control knob with the lit match or lighter until the pilot lights. The pilot should start immediately once the flame is close enough. Once the pilot is lit, hold the button down for about 20 seconds until the thermocouple has time to heat up.
While pressing and holding in the black knob, press the RED igniter button repeatedly; the pilot will generally light with two or three pushes on the igniter. 4. Once the pilot is lit, continue to hold the valve knob in for 30 seconds, then release the knob and it will pop back out. The pilot should remain lit.
Look for gas line issues: Gas lights will only work properly if the gas line supplying the fuel is at least 3/8 inch in diameter. If for some reason a smaller gas line must be used, its length can be no more than eight feet. A licensed plumber can check and fix incorrect gas line measurements.
One of the most common problems faced by homeowners with gas fireplaces is the pilot light going out or not staying lit. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner, which produces the heat for your fireplace — if the pilot light goes out, your fireplace won't work.
If no gas is flowing to the pilot light, you obviously won't be able to get it to light. This can happen because the furnace's main gas valve isn't fully open or if your gas supply is shut off or interrupted. There is also a chance that the pilot tube that supplies gas to the flame is clogged.
How to Re-Light a Pilot Light. Re-lighting pilot lights is straightforward on today's modern gas fireplaces. If you have an electronic ignition unit, using your remote control simply press the 'on' button and the pilot will re-ignite within a few seconds, followed by the fireplace a few seconds after that.
Turn the ON/OFF/PILOT knob to the 'OFF' position and wait for five minutes to clear out any residual gas. After waiting, press and hold the ON/OFF/PILOT knob. Then, press the igniter button repeatedly (as per the manual's instructions, usually for about 30 seconds) until the pilot ignites.
Point the tube toward the area where the flame comes out of the pilot and give a couple of quick shots of air. CAUTION: Always blow the air in the direction of the gas flow to blow dust, dirt, and lint out of the pilot tube.
If the gas is on and the pilot hasn't been lit in a couple of months, you might need to purge the air out of the pilot tubing. To do this, hold the pilot button down for about one to three minutes while the air bleeds out. If the pilot is lighting but not staying lit, it could indicate a worn-out thermocouple.
A pilot light on a gas fireplace, insert or stove maintains a tiny flame in order to allow for quick starts of the appliance. Natural gas fuel is only good when it burns, and without a pilot light, you'd have to manually light the gas every time you want to use your heating appliance.
Relight the pilot light.
Turn the knob to “Pilot,” and let gas to flow to the pilot. Light a lighter or match, then push in the reset button. Hold your flame to the pilot light's opening. Keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily.
A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.
Need Help Lighting a Water Heater Pilot Light? 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.
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.
The short answer is – you do not need to turn off your pilot light, and there is little risk in leaving it on all summer. Leaving it on is the simpler way to go. But, if you want to turn it off, you can, and there's no harm in that either.
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.
Check the Thermocouple
A built-in safety device, the thermocouple detects whether the pilot light is lit; if not, it prevents the furnace from turning on. Based on the pilot's status, it signals the gas valve to open or close. If the pilot light keeps going out, it's often because of a faulty thermocouple.