Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
What causes a pilot light to go out on a gas fireplace?
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 do you clean a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?
How to Clean the Thermocouple in a Gas Fireplace
- Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace.
- Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe.
- Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple.
How do you fix a gas fireplace that won’t stay lit?
Easy DIY Fix: Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit
- Before You Begin: Is Your Pilot Light Lit Inside Fireplace?
- The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit.
- Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts.
- Don’t Replace Your Thermopile or Thermocouple Right Away.
- Cleaning the Thermopile.
- Re-test the Cleaned Thermopile.
Will gas shut off if pilot light goes out?
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.If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking.
What does it mean when your pilot light won’t stay lit?
thermocouple
If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.
How long does a thermocouple last?
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 happens if a thermocouple fails?
A thermocouple is a sort of co-pilot to your pilot light, which allows the gas burners on your water heater to be lit. In a few cases, a malfunctioning thermocouple may allow gas to leak into your home, which is a major problem.
Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?
Your Utility Bill
Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.
Why does my gas fireplace go out after a few minutes?
If you get dust in the pilot assembly and the pilot needs to be cleaned out, it produces a “lazy” flame, which will be disturbed by the draught of the main burners. The flame lifts away from the thermocouple and causes the temperature on the tip of the thermocouple to drop. This, in turn, makes the gas valve shut off.
Why does my fire keep going out in my fireplace?
The ‘Fire Triangle’ taught us that fire needs three things to burn: oxygen, heat and fuel. If one of these is missing, it’s likely that your log burner will keep going out.While the most common causes of log burners going out are insufficient oxygen, fuel or heat, stoves also rely on a properly functioning chimney.
How long does a thermocouple last on a gas fireplace?
Thermocouples are rigorously tested and should last for years. Indeed, experts believe a four-year check cycle is all that is needed to make sure things are functioning properly.
How do I turn off the pilot light on my fireplace?
Turning off your pilot light is a simple process that will save you both energy and money. All you have to do is open the front of your fireplace, turn the Pilot knob to off, and then turn your gas shutoff valve to the off position as well.
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.
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.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?
Cost to Replace a Thermocouple on a Furnace
Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it’s not, it’ll shut the gas off.
Can you clean a thermocouple?
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up.
What causes a thermocouple to fail?
METAL FATIGUE
Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break.If thermocouples start to give out unusual readings, it may be suffering from metal fatigue.
How do you troubleshoot a thermocouple?
Place one test lead on the side of the thermocouple and the other to the end that screws into the gas valve. If the thermocouple has proper continuity, a small resistance reading should be visible on the multimeter. Many multimeters also indicate continuity with an audio alert.
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.)
How do you replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?
Procedure for Replacing a Thermocouple
Turn off the gas supply to the gas valve. Use the wrench to unscrew the connector that holds the thermocouple to the gas valve, then unhook the probe from its clip and pull out the entire thermocouple assembly. Take the thermocouple to the hardware store to purchase a new one.
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