It’s the middle of winter in Palatine, and your home is steadily getting colder and colder instead of staying nice and warm.
Is your furnace due for a replacement? Not necessarily. The problem could be something as simple as a switched-off pilot light.
How do you check the pilot light on a furnace? Discover the answers below, then call Leith Heating & Cooling for HVAC services in Palatine, IL, if you discover your flame has gone out.
What Does Your Furnace’s Pilot Light Do?
Before we dive into troubleshooting your furnace’s pilot light, it’s helpful to first know what this part actually does. Older furnaces push fuel into a combustion chamber, where it sits until a flame ignites it. The pilot light relies on a gas supply to switch on and combust the fuel.
Newer heating systems feature an electric pilot light that handles this process automatically, which means you don’t need to relight the pilot if the flame goes out.
How Do You Check the Pilot Light on a Furnace in Palatine, IL?
So, how do you check the pilot light on a furnace? Fortunately, doing so is easy. Here’s how.
- First, determine the furnace pilot light location. Look for a pilot light access panel and open it.
- Inspect the pilot for a flame. If you see a flame, your pilot light is working. If there is no flame, you’ll need to relight the pilot.
- Inspect the pilot light flame color. It should be blue. If the flame is yellow, your burner assembly may be dirty, or there may be a dangerous gas leak, indicating the need for emergency repairs for an HVAC professional.
Not Seeing a Flame? Here’s What To Do
How can you relight your furnace’s pilot light?
That depends on whether you have an electric or gas pilot. If it’s electric, simply look for a little button or switch near the pilot. Press the button or flip the switch, and the pilot should relight in a few seconds.
Relighting a gas pilot light is a bit more complicated. You’ll need to call for professional repairs, as working with gas supply lines is dangerous and requires expertise. Here’s how expert technicians handle it:
- They turn the pilot light switch or knob to the “Off” position, shutting off the gas supply to the pilot.
- After a few minutes, they set the knob to “Pilot.”
- Next, they reset the system, prompting the flame to catch.
- If the pilot does not light, they perform further troubleshooting.
Further Furnace Pilot Light Troubleshooting
Sometimes, relighting the pilot light isn’t enough to get your furnace working again. How do you check the pilot light on a furnace for problems that might require expert repair? Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Verify that your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If it has, the furnace won’t start. Resetting the breaker should resolve the problem, but if it doesn’t, faulty wiring could be to blame, and you’ll need to call an electrician or HVAC team.
- Look for dust and other debris around the pilot light assembly. If you see any, carefully clean it with a soft brush or can of compressed air.
- Feel for a draft around the furnace. If there’s a breeze, it can blow out the pilot light. You’ll have to find the source of the draft and seal it with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Replace the air filter. A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, causing the pilot light to go out. Air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days, depending on manufacturer specifications.
- Inspect the ignition system for frayed wires and corrosion. If you spot any damage, call an HVAC technician for repairs.
- Inspect the thermocouple, which is a safety device that stops the furnace from working unless the pilot light is lit. If the thermocouple is defective or damaged, it won’t sense the pilot light, and the furnace won’t turn on.
If you smell gas at any point while troubleshooting your furnace, stop what you’re doing and contact us for help immediately.
Stop Wondering, “How Do You Check the Pilot Light on a Furnace?” and Call Our Pros in Palatine, IL
Still wondering “How do you check the pilot light on a furnace?” Having trouble knowing if your furnace needs maintenance?
If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting your system, reach out to us at Leith Heating & Cooling in Palatine, IL, for a pilot light inspection. We offer pilot light flame adjustments, air filter replacements, furnace repairs, and more.