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what do you do when your boiler pilot light goes out

by Prof. Enola Abernathy III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If the pilot light flickers and goes out soon after relighting, clean the pilot orifice. A dirty pilot light orifice hinders gas flow, but the fix is simple. First, shut off the gas to the water heater (look for a valve on the gas line that supplies the unit).

Your Gas Has Been Shut Off
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.
Jan 9, 2020

Full Answer

How do I get the pilot light back on my boiler?

How do you relight the pilot light on a boiler?Turn the gas to 'pilot. 'Press and hold the reset switch for one minute and hold a flame to the pilot light at the same time. ... If all is working as expected, return any casing/doors and turn the gas from 'pilot' to 'on.

What happens if the pilot light goes out on a gas boiler?

If the pilot light has gone out, you'll need to reset it following your manufacturer's instructions. Newer boilers will have an ignitor, whereas an older boiler pilot light may require you to light a match for ignition. If you still can't light your boiler, there could be debris blocking the jet.

Can I relight the pilot light by myself?

If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.

Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?

If the pilot light of an appliance goes out, turn off the gas at the appliance for several minutes before attempting to re-light it. Instructions should be attached to the appliance.

Why is boiler not firing up?

A boiler might not ignite due to various possible reasons – insufficient pressure, blockage in the burner, faulty valves, frozen pipes etc. Sometimes, you can fix the problem on your own. In other cases, you don't have any choice but to call an engineer.

How do I know if my boiler pilot light is out?

The most obvious sign of the failure of a pilot light will be a lack of hot water or warm air since the burner assembly can't light and do its job of heating these substances. In many systems, a broken pilot light will prevent the appliance from working at all.

What causes a pilot light to go out?

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.

Should a boiler pilot light always be on?

The pilot light must always stay on or gas will easily escape. If the pilot light keeps turning off, then your boiler is not working. Older combi boilers may sometimes have pilot lights that flicker off, but can be restarted easily.

How much does it cost to light a pilot light?

The average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light is: Natural gas is $0.60 a day = $219 a year. Liquid Propane is $1.80 a day = $657 a year. Sophisticated fireplace manufactures like Travis Industries have developed Intermittent pilot light systems.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a pilot light?

It could be dangerous. But if your pilot light is yellow, or even if has a slight yellow or orange tint, then wasted energy may be the least of your concerns. A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

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. Click here get started.

Can a pilot light cause a fire?

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.

Should the pilot light always be on in a gas boiler?

The pilot light must always stay on or gas will easily escape. If the pilot light keeps turning off, then your boiler is not working. Older combi boilers may sometimes have pilot lights that flicker off, but can be restarted easily.

What causes a pilot light to go out?

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 would cause a pilot light to go out on a furnace?

Thermocouple Malfunction It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open. A thermocouple that is dirty or malfunctioning will often shut off your gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out and your furnace to stop working.

Why would my pilot light go out on my water heater?

Lack of Combustible Air Your water heater requires air to keep the pilot light burning. Otherwise, the flame goes out. Ensure that the water heater is not surrounded by clutter, lint, or debris to increase the amount of combustible air. Keep the surrounding area as clean as possible.

Why does my boiler pilot light go out?

There are a number of things that can cause your boiler pilot light to keep going out. Below is a list of the most common reasons: 1. A Broken or Faulty Thermocouple. The thermocouple aka the ‘flame sensor’ is a copper rod that is directly hit by the pilot flame and is a safety mechanism that turns off the gas if it detects ...

Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

There are a number of things that can cause your boiler pilot light to keep going out. Below is a list of the most common reasons:

What happens if you have a poorly working gas regulator?

If you have a poorly working gas regulator, your boiler may not be receiving enough gas to keep the pilot light lit. If you spot pilot problems in a number of other household appliances, it’s likely that the gas regulator is the culprit. In this case, you should contact your utility company straight away.

Is it worth getting a new boiler?

At iHeat, we install high quality, A-rated efficient boilers at an affordable price. Whilst you might think that it isn’t worth getting a new boiler over a few issues such as a broken thermocouple or a boiler that lets strong draughts in, purchasing a new boiler could actually save you money in the long run. Not only can a new boiler save you money on expensive repairs and callout bills, but The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you could save up to £380 a year by replacing your old inefficient boiler with a new A-rated one. Get a quote on a new A-rated boiler today.

How Do I Re-Light My Gas Water Heater Pilot Light?

Find your water heater manual to get a better understanding where each part of your water heater is located .

How To Re-Light A Furnace Pilot Light ?

First and foremost, it is important to find the manual for your furnace. The manual will give you a better understanding of the inner workings of your specific furnace.

How Do I Prevent My Pilot Light From Going Out?

Maintaining your water heater, furnace, and boiler will prevent those pesky pilot lights from going out. During a maintenance check, a professional will inspect the condition of the pilot light and thermocouple, as well as clean them both so they work at optimal efficiency. Additionally, depending on the appliance, a pro will evaluate the gas valve, all of the connecting piping and wiring, flue venting, and all other functioning parts of your appliance to ensure each part is operating at maximum efficiency. Learn more about a furnace tune- up here! Regular maintenance for your furnace, water heater, and boiler is a necessity so that you can ensure your heat or hot water never goes out!

Why does my boiler pilot light not stay lit?

It is a safety measure to prevent the emission of gas, which could start a fire or be a breathing hazard .

What happens when the pilot light goes out?

The thermocouple registers heat from the pilot light. If the light goes out, it stops registering heat and closes the valve automatically. This prevents the pilot light from maintaining a flame.

Why does my pilot light go out?

A pilot light needs combustible air flow to stay lit. Without air to feed the pilot light oxygen, it can go out. Make sure the boiler is free of clutter, debris or lint that could block air flow. This kind of dirt can also be a fire hazard, so it is best to keep the area around the water heater as clean and clutter-free as possible.

What to do if water heater seal is not working?

Check the seals of your water heater. If the seal no longer forms a complete seal, you should call a HVAC specialist to replace it.

What color should the pilot gas be?

Once the pilot opening is clean, turn the gas back on. Ideally, the flame should be blue and cone-shaped.

How to clean a thermocouple?

You could try cleaning the thermocouple with a wire brush or fine grain sandpaper. Be careful not to damage it. If the thermocouple is damaged, call a HVAC technician. Sometimes the thermocouple gets old and wears out. If it no longer functions, it is also recommended you call a HVAC technician to replace it.

How to minimize the risk of a pilot light?

Safety Guidelines to Minimize the Risk: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. All unnecessary people, especially children, should be evacuated from the building prior to attempting to relight the pilot light. This ensures their safety. Make sure your work area is well ventilated.

What is a pilot light on a propane stove?

Many propane appliances, especially older models, have a feature called a pilot light. A pilot light is a small flame inside the device that is lit at all times. This flame is used to restart the main burner and prevent gas leaks. If you have a newer appliance, don’t panic if you don’t see a pilot light. Many new devices use electric ignitions in ...

What to do if you run out of propane?

If you have run out of propane, then you will need to call and request for a propane delivery immediately. Be sure to contact SOS Xtreme Comfort for any help that you might need relighting your pilot light or for fast propane delivery. Give us a call: NJ (973-315-5851), PA (570-409-3528), NY (845-351-8929).

How to stop gas smell?

If there is any smell of gas, everybody should be evacuated as quickly as possible. If possible, shut off the main gas supply valve by turning it clockwise (to the right). Once at a safe distance, report the potential gas leak to your propane dealer or 911.

Why do pilot lights go out?

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 happens if pilot light controls are sticky?

If pilot light controls are sticky, do not apply force or use oil. This can cause damage that may lead to gas leaks.

How to reach the end of a pilot tube?

You may need to use a long match or hold it with needle nose pliers to be able to reach the end of the small pilot tubing. These may be behind a small panel or metal door. After lighting the pilot light, continue to hold down the red button for 60 seconds longer.

How to reset a pilot light?

You will need a match that is lit. Hold it to the pilot opening and push the reset button on your pilot control. Hold it down until the pilot flame is lit and burning brightly.

How to tell if pilot light is out?

If you suspect your pilot light is out, the first thing you can do is check for a flame. If after turning the knobs on your furnace you still are not getting a solid flame, this is a good signal your pilot light is out. If you smell gas or detect a rotten egg smell, you will need to have your gas shut off entirely.

Why does my gas water heater stop working?

When your gas furnace or water heater suddenly stops working as it should, this is often caused by a pilot light issue. Your pilot light is a crucial component of your heating system, so it’s important to make sure it’s functioning properly at all times!

Why is my furnace yellow?

A weak, yellow flame can be caused by dirt and debris built up within your furnace. If you see a lazy, yellow flame instead of a strong blue flame, you will need to have your furnace cleaned.

What to do if you smell gas?

If you smell gas or detect a rotten egg smell, you will need to have your gas shut off entirely. Many gas furnaces will have a safety shut-off valve, but if this is not available or you can’t find the valve, leave your home and call 911 (or your gas company directly) immediately.

What is the phone number for heating in the Triangle?

If you’re in need of heating service in the Triangle area, give us a call at 919-480-2727 or contact us online to schedule your service today!

Why won't my pilot light stay lit?

If your pilot light won’t stay lit, the thermocouple is very likely the culprit.

Why does my pilot light relight after going out?

If your pilot light re-lights easily after going out overnight, it’s possible it was blown out by a draft. This can happen on excessively windy days or nights. A leak in the output duct of the furnace could cause air to blow into the area. Keep every intake air register in your home open and clear to avoid a “vacuum” effect in the inlet.

What color is the pilot light?

If you can manage to get the pilot light lit for just a moment, inspect the flame. The pilot light is supposed to be a strong blue cone, not a weak yellow flame. A weaker flame won’t envelop the thermocouple properly. The pilot orifice may be full of dirt.

What happens if the pilot light isn't lined up correctly?

If the thermocouple isn't lined up correctly, it won't read the flame, and will shut the valve for the gas.

Where is the thermocouple on a pilot?

No matter the pilot configuration, the thermocouple will be near the burners—look for a removable metal rod nearby. Locate the copper rod near the burners. This is the thermocouple. If you look very closely, you'll find the thermocouple tucked in behind the burners.

What happens if you have a bad gas regulator?

3) Bad Gas Regulator. A bad regulator in your natural gas meter outside your home will affect all of the gas appliances in your home, including your furnace, dryer, stove, etc. Your furnace may not be getting enough gas to keep the pilot lit.

Do furnaces have pilot lights?

Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces, but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters. In these systems, the pilot will only light (in the case of hot surface igniters, the igniter surface heats) when the thermostat makes a command for heat.

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