How To Light the Pilot on a Furnace

Before you try to light your furnace pilot, make sure your unit has a standing pilot. Many newer furnaces use electronic ignition and cannot be lit by hand. If your gas furnace has a standing pilot, use the lighting instructions printed on the unit as you work through the steps below.

Does My Furnace Have a Pilot Light?

Look at the instructions attached to your furnace or check the owner's manual. A standing-pilot system normally has a small pilot assembly near the burners and a gas control with a Pilot position.

Newer systems commonly use a hot-surface igniter or spark igniter instead. Do not try to light an electronic ignition system with a match or lighter.

Safety Checklist Before Relighting a Furnace Pilot

Do not try to relight the pilot if you smell gas, see smoke or sparking, notice visible damage, or cannot clearly identify the pilot and gas control.

If you smell gas:

• Do not light a match, lighter, or cigarette
• Do not operate electrical switches or use a phone inside the building
• Leave the building
• Call your gas utility or emergency services from a safe location

Keep children and pets away while you work. Do not remove sealed panels or adjust gas piping.

How to Light a Furnace Pilot

Follow these seven easy steps to light your furnace pilot light to restore heat in your Louisville or New Albany, IN home.

1. Turn the Thermostat Down

Set your thermostat to its lowest setting or Off so your furnace does not call for heat while you work. Turn off furnace power if the manufacturer's instructions tell you to do so.

2. Locate the Pilot Assembly and Gas Control

Find the pilot assembly near the burner compartment and locate the gas-control knob. On a standing-pilot furnace, the knob is commonly marked Off, Pilot, and On.

Do not remove sealed panels or disturb gas piping to reach it.

3. Turn the Control to “Off” and Wait

Turn the gas control to Off as directed by your furnace instructions. Wait the amount of time listed on the unit. Many furnaces specify at least five minutes before attempting ignition.

If you smell gas at any point, stop and follow the gas-odor instructions above.

4. Set the Control to “Pilot”

Turn the control to Pilot. Your furnace may require you to press and hold the knob or a separate reset button while gas reaches the pilot.

Follow the procedure printed on your furnace rather than forcing a control that does not move normally.

5. Ignite the Pilot

While holding the required control, light the pilot by the method specified for your furnace. Use a long-reach lighter or long match only if the instructions permit manual lighting.

Keep your hands and face away from the burner opening. Look for a small, steady blue pilot flame.

6. Hold the Control and Confirm the Flame

Keep holding the control for the amount of time listed in your furnace instructions. This gives the thermocouple time to heat.

Release the control slowly. If the pilot goes out again, stop there instead of repeatedly relighting it.

7. Turn the Furnace Back On

If the pilot stays lit, turn the gas control to On. Restore furnace power if you turned it off and replace any required access panel.

Set your thermostat above the current room temperature and check that the burners start and your furnace begins heating.

Why Won’t My Furnace Pilot Stay Lit?

If your pilot lights and goes out again, something else in the furnace needs attention. We check the pilot assembly, thermocouple or flame sensor, gas valve, venting, combustion air, and furnace controls to find the cause.

Do not bypass the thermocouple, access-panel switch, or another safety control. If your furnace is shutting off at other times, our guide to common heating issues covers other problems that cause a heating system to stop.

When to Call Greenwell for Furnace Repair in Louisville and New Albany, IN

If you followed the lighting instructions and your furnace still will not heat, we need to check the ignition system.

For furnace repair in New Albany, IN, Columbus, IN, Louisville, KY, and surrounding communities, Greenwell will inspect your system and find out why the heat is not staying on. During furnace maintenance, we check the ignition system and safety controls before you need the furnace every day.

Greenwell handles furnace services throughout Kentuckiana. Schedule an appointment online or call us today to get your heat up and running during winter.

Schedule Online or Call (502) 205-2482 Schedule Online(502) 205-2482