Buzz
Picture this: it's a cold winter day, and you attempt to start your furnace only to find it unresponsive. If you have an old-school furnace with a pilot light, it might simply need relighting. But fear not, this is a straightforward and safe process. With our detailed instructions below, you'll have your warmth restored in no time.
Steps to Follow
Verifying and Preparing the Furnace
Check the power supply. Before attempting to relight the furnace, conduct some basic checks. Ensure it's connected to both the electric and gas sources. Sometimes, the furnace might be operational, and the issue could lie with the thermostat needing new batteries.
Locate your pilot light and ensure it's lit.
Typically situated at the furnace's base, the pilot light is a small burner igniting the main furnace burners. If it's operational, a small flame should be visible. If extinguished, a draft may be the cause, necessitating a relight to restore furnace functionality.
Shutdown the furnace and allow five minutes for gas dispersal. Identify the switch near the furnace's base, typically labeled with 'pilot,' 'on,' and 'off.' After switching it off, wait for five minutes to ensure complete gas dissipation. Attempting to relight the pilot light prematurely could pose a safety hazard.
- If unsure how to turn it off, consult the furnace's instruction label.
- If gas odor is present, refrain from relighting the pilot!
Reigniting the Pilot Light
Use the ignition button to relight the pilot light, if available. In case the ignition button isn't immediately visible, refer to the furnace's instruction sticker or owner's manual. Typically accompanied by a small red button, press it simultaneously with the electric ignition. Maintain pressure on the small button for approximately a minute after the pilot light ignites.
Reignite the pilot light manually if lacking an electric ignition. Set the switch or knob to 'Pilot' and depress the reset button. Employing a long lighter, approach the pilot light opening with caution. Although not highly perilous, exercise care. Upon the pilot light's successful ignition and steady burning, release the reset button.
- In the absence of a long lighter, a long match can suffice, but avoid using standard-sized lighters or matches. Maintain a safe distance from the flame!
- You may need to attempt lighting the pilot two or three times.
Activate your furnace and observe its functionality. Should the pilot light extinguish, a potential cause might be a clogged pilot light opening. To rectify this, switch off the gas, wait five minutes, and then carefully clean the opening using fine wire.
- If despite relighting the pilot light, the furnace remains non-operational, there could be an underlying issue. It's advisable to seek assistance from a furnace specialist to resolve the problem.
Helpful Suggestions
- Inspect your furnace during the fall, prior to the onset of severe cold. This allows ample time for troubleshooting and resolving any issues before winter arrives.
