Do You Need to Relight Your Pilot Light? Here are 5 Easy Steps
Ever had your furnace stop working on a cold day? Often, the culprit is something pretty simple: a pilot light that’s gone out. Think of your pilot light as the tiny but mighty flame that gets your whole heating system going. Without it, you’re stuck in the cold!
But don’t worry! Fortunately, getting that pilot light back on is usually simple. You just need to know how to do it safely. That’s why we’ll walk through how to safely relight your pilot light.
And by the way, we understand how frustrating furnace problems can be. So, if you are in Myrtle Beach, SC, and your pilot light has gone out or your heater isn’t working properly, out team at One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help you our with our top-notch heater repair services.
Definition of a Pilot Light
What exactly is this little flame doing in your furnace? A pilot light is basically your furnace’s ignition system. When your thermostat signals that your house is cold, the pilot light springs into action, lighting up the main burner to warm your home.
Older furnaces keep this flame burning 24/7 (we call these “standing pilot lights”). On the other hand, newer models have fancy electronic ignition systems that light up only when needed. If your home has an older furnace with a manual pilot light, this flame needs to be burning for the furnace to work.
Why Does a Furnace Pilot Light Go Out?
There are a few common reasons why the pilot light might go out. It’s a good idea to understand them so you can decide if you can take care of the problem yourself or if you need a tech to take a closer look.
1. Age of the Heating System
If your furnace is getting up there in years (15+), it might just be showing its age. Older furnaces with standing pilot lights tend to be less reliable as time passes. As components wear out, the pilot light will go out more frequently.
2. Ventilation Problems
Drafty conditions around your furnace can easily blow the pilot light out. A poorly installed or incorrectly sized furnace flue may also cause ventilation problems that play havoc with airflow, making it harder for the pilot light to stay lit.
3. Thermocouple Malfunction
Your thermocouple, a safety device that senses whether the pilot light is on, might be wonky. If the flame goes out, the thermocouple cuts off the gas to prevent leaks. However, if it acts up, it may cut off the gas even when the flame is burning, causing the pilot light to go out.
4. Issues with the Gas Supply or Valve
A broken gas valve can restrict the flow of fuel to your furnace, making it difficult for the pilot light to stay on.
Low fuel supply, especially in homes using propane, can also bring a weak or flickering flame.
5. Cracked Heat Exchanger
In more serious cases, there might be a crack in your heat exchanger. A heat exchanger crack can change the furnace’s air pressure, potentially blowing out the pilot light.
That’s a severe issue for the pros to check out, as it can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
How to Relight Your Pilot Light in 5 Easy Steps
If your pilot light goes out, you can often fix it in just a few steps. Here’s how to get your furnace working again.
1. Check Your Furnace’s Instruction Manual
To start, grab your furnace manual. Every model is a bit different, and the manual will provide the safest and most accurate instructions for relighting the pilot light on your specific model.
2. Find the Reset Switch and Pilot Light Assembly
Find the pilot light assembly (usually near the bottom) and the reset switch. You’ll find a switch or knob with settings marked “off,” “on,” and “pilot.” Make sure it is set to “off” before attempting to relight your pilot light.
3. Wait for Several Minutes
Here, safety comes first. So, turn everything off and wait about 5 minutes to allow any leftover gas to disappear.
4. Relight Your Pilot Light
Once you’ve waited, you can relight your pilot light. Press and hold that reset button while you light the pilot with a long match or lighter.
After the pilot light is burning steadily, release the reset button. If the flame doesn’t stay on, try again or call a pro for help.
5. Watch for Further Issues
After successfully relighting the pilot light, keep an eye on things afterward to make sure it stays lit. If the flame goes out again or your furnace still doesn’t heat, there may be a larger issue you’ll need to address.
DIY or Call a Professional?
While fixing a pilot light isn’t rocket science, there are safety risks involved. Before deciding whether to tackle the job yourself or bring in a professional, here’s what to consider.
Doing It Yourself
Relighting the pilot light can often be done without much trouble. However, you’re still dealing with gas here. If you’re not 100% confident or that pesky light keeps going out, there’s no shame in calling in a pro. In fact, it’s the smart thing to do!
Hiring a Technician in South Carolina
Furnace repairs can vary widely in cost. The cost for a simple pilot light fix usually starts at around $130. Still, if we find bigger issues like a bad gas valve or thermocouple, it might run up to $500. And, if your furnace is really old, we might need to talk about replacement options (typically $2,800-$6,800).
Speaking of pros, if you’re in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina, we’ve got your back at One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & Heating.
Relight Your Pilot Light with the One Hour Magic Experts
Don’t let a cold house get you down! If your pilot light continues to go out or your furnace is experiencing other issues, it’s time to call in an expert.
With One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & heating In myrtle Beach, SC, you’ll never have to worry about staying warm during those chilly winter months. Whether you need help with that pilot light or any other heating issues, our team is just a phone call away. At One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & Heating in Myrtle Beach, SC, not only do we offer heater repairs that keep your home comfortable all winter long, but get your furnace back to peak performance.
Give us a call, and we’ll get your heat back up and running in no time!