A Step-by-Step Guide to Lighting a Furnace Pilot Light

The furnace pilot light is a crucial component of your heating system, providing the ignition source for the main burner. However, pilot lights can sometimes go out, causing your furnace to stop working. Rather than calling a professional right away, you can try relighting the pilot light yourself. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of safely and effectively lighting a furnace pilot light. Remember, if you’re uncomfortable or unsure at any point, it’s always best to consult a professional.

Step 1: Safety First Before attempting to relight the pilot light, ensure you take the necessary safety precautions:

1. Turn off the gas supply: Locate the gas valve near your furnace and turn the knob to the “off” position. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately and contact your gas company.
2. Allow time for gas dissipation: Wait for a few minutes to allow any accumulated gas to dissipate. This step is essential for safety reasons.

Step 2: Accessing the Pilot Light Once you’ve ensured safety, you can proceed to locate and access the pilot light:

1. Find the access panel: Typically, the pilot light is located behind an access panel near the bottom of the furnace. Consult your furnace’s user manual if you’re unsure about its location.
2. Remove the access panel: Use a screwdriver or the appropriate tool to remove the screws securing the access panel. Keep the screws in a safe place for easy reinstallation later.

Step 3: Locating and Preparing the Pilot Light Now that you have access to the pilot light, follow these steps:

1. Locate the pilot assembly: Look for a small gas pipe leading to the pilot assembly. At the end of the pipe, you’ll find the pilot burner and the pilot light control knob.
2. Set the control knob to “pilot”: Turn the control knob to the “pilot” position. This step prepares the pilot light for ignition.

Step 4: Lighting the Pilot Light With the pilot light in the right position, you can now proceed to light it:

1. Press and hold the reset button: Locate the reset button near the pilot control knob and press it down. Simultaneously, hold down the control knob in the “pilot” position.
2. Ignite the pilot light: While continuing to hold the reset button and the control knob, use a long-reach lighter or match to light the pilot burner. Aim the flame at the pilot burner while keeping the control knob depressed.
3. Continue holding for a minute: After the pilot light ignites, keep holding down the control knob for about a minute. This duration allows the thermocouple, a safety device, to heat up and confirm that the pilot light is stable.
4. Release the reset button and control knob: After a minute has passed, release the reset button and control knob. The pilot light should remain lit.

Step 5: Reassembling and Testing The final steps involve reassembling the access panel and verifying the functionality of your furnace:

1. Reinstall the access panel: Place the access panel back in its original position and secure it with the screws you removed earlier.
2. Restore the gas supply: Locate the gas valve near your furnace and turn it back on. Be cautious and attentive for any gas leaks.
3. Test the furnace: Set your thermostat to a temperature higher than the current room temperature and ensure the furnace ignites properly. Monitor its operation for a while to ensure it functions correctly.