Improper Venting & Airflow. Sometimes a pilot light can go out as a result of some source of wind or air simply blowing it out. If this happens, there could be an issue with how your flue pipe is set up or how your system is venting.
Is it normal for pilot light to go out?
Pilot lights will occasionally go out. Sometimes the cause is easily resolved, such as running out of propane or turning off the gas. However, if the pilot light needs to be relit more than once per season, it should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
What do you do when your pilot light goes out?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
What causes a pilot light to not light?
Common Reasons Your Furnace Pilot Won’t Light
There are several possible reasons why your gas furnace pilot won’t light: an ongoing draft, a faulty thermocouple, an accumulation of dirt, or an inefficient supply.
What would cause a furnace pilot light to go out?
1) Faulty Thermocouple. If your pilot light won’t stay lit, the thermocouple is very likely the culprit.If the thermocouple fails to shut off the gas, all the gas flowing through the furnace could get into your home.
Why did the pilot light go out on my gas fireplace?
When a pilot light goes out on a gas fireplace, there is cause for concern if the gas flow hasn’t been interrupted.More commonly, a pilot light will go off because of a failure in the supply of gas. One thing to check is the gas valve on the fireplace and make sure it’s open.
Why does gas fireplace pilot light go out?
If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light
A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150. This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
Can a pilot light cause carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is only produced when fuel of any type; oil, gas, wood or coal is burned.And a pilot light out of adjustment can produce carbon monoxide gas. The amount produced by even a badly maladjusted pilot is small because the flame size is also small.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
Does gas leak if pilot light goes out?
If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater, you will not have a gas leak. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.
How do you get a pilot light back on?
Turn the gas regulator valve to the pilot position. If the water heater has a manual ignite button, press that to light the pilot. If it doesn’t have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
What happens if fireplace pilot light goes out?
Can a Pilot Light Outage Be Dangerous? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself, it could result in a very serious explosion.
Will gas company relight pilot?
Absolutely! We can send a gas service technician to light your pilot, and conduct a gas safety check of your gas fireplace or any other gas appliance to ensure your safety.
How much does a standing pilot cost?
Usually it is $1 and change. So you pilot can be costing you $7 to $10 per month. Propane is a little bit different. Since propane is done by the gallon, the numbers are different.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is Out
- Locate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that’s easily visible.
- If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see your eyes will be drawn to the little flame.
- If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out.
- If there is a flame, check the color.
Can a pilot light cause a fire?
When the appliance is turned on, a valve releases more gas, which is ignited by the pilot light.If this leak continues, its concentration may reach a point where a spark such as that from a cigarette lighter, static electricity, or even the pilot light itself as it is re-lit will cause a fire or even an explosion.
Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
How long do thermocouples last?
How to Tell if You Have a Bad Thermocouple? Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
What’s a thermocouple look like?
The thermocouple looks like a piece of metal tubing smaller than a soda straw. To find it, first locate the gas control box. This is the box that the main gas line enters, where you turn the gas on in the furnace. (On most furnaces, it also houses the button that you hold open or push to relight the pilot.)
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