Has your furnace stopped blowing out warm air? Cool air coming out of your HVAC vents when warm air is supposed to be blown out is never an ideal situation. Naturally, staying warm and toasty is the best course of action during Ohio’s winter. So, if your furnace is currently pushing out cool air instead of warm air, it’s quite possible that your pilot light has gone out. You may be wondering, “What could cause this?” Unbeknownst to many homeowners, drafts or gusts of wind entering the house can cause the pilot light to go out. If this is the case, and it Is not a system-related issue, you will need to get your pilot light relit so your heating system can provide warmth once again. Fortunately, your Bexley Heating & Cooling family is here to provide you with a simple step-by-step guide to making this happen.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO RELIGHTING A FURNACE?
- Generally, equipment manufacturers place instruction labels on the side of furnaces stating exactly how to relight the pilot light. So, your number one step should be to look for these directions on the side of your heating unit. However, sometimes depending on the location of the furnace and the lighting situation, these instructions may be challenging to find and read. So, if you cannot find or read the manufacturer’s instructions, continue reading for some general directions on how to relight the flame.
- Depending on what kind of furnace model you have, you might have to remove the burner cover to gain access to the pilot light. The burner cover is a metal panel that should be removable for circumstances like this.
- The gas supply should be positioned close by. It’s vital that this valve is turned off before proceeding forward.
- Next, you will want to scan over the bottom area of your furnace, looking for the “on and off” switch. Typically, this is located right at the base of heating units. Once you have located this switch, be sure to move it to the off position. After you have confirmed it is off, wait at least five minutes for the furnace’s gas to dissipate and disperse. Otherwise, it is considered unsafe and could start a fire. While waiting during this timeframe, look around for the reset button so you are familiar with its location. Then move on to the next step.
- When you have located the pilot light assembly, which is the knob-like switch, turn the knob to “pilot.” Then press and hold the reset button while bringing your long reaching ignited lighter closer to the opening of the pilot light. At this point, this should spark the pilot light, and you should remain ablaze. After the flame has reignited, you may release the “reset” button.
- After confirming your pilot is staying lit, you may turn the gas valve back to the “on” position.
- Don’t forget to place the burner cover back into its original position.
WHAT ABOUT THE THERMOCOUPLE?
If you were able to relight your pilot light, but it is not staying lit when you let go of the “reset” button, then you may be dealing with a malfunctioning thermocouple, which is a system-related issue. If this is the case, this is a good sign to give us a call. We can come and assess the issue for you. Our NATE-certified technicians are highly trained and will fix the problem for you as quickly as possible.
We at Bexley Heating & Cooling want to ensure you and your family get through this winter safe and warm. So, if you are still experiencing problems with your pilot light, don’t delay reaching out to us. We can be reached at (614) 924-7856, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
