What Does it Mean When My Furnace Pilot Light Keeps Going Out?
There could be various reasons, for instance, a strong draft can easily extinguish your pilot light if your ductwork leaks air or is improperly sized. Another reason the furnace pilot keeps going out can be a dirty pilot orifice. It should resemble a strong blue cone that surrounds the thermocouple. Otherwise, it must be yellow in hue and needs cleaning with a needle.
Dirty or Damaged Thermocouple
A thermocouple or flame sensor serves as an important safety measure in furnace pilot lights. Over time, thermocouples may become defective or become contaminated with dirt or carbon monoxide, eventually failing. Issues related to thermocouples are one of the major reasons why your pilot light keeps going out.
An additional factor that threatens thermocouples is a dirty pilot opening. When this occurs, flame cannot fully fill it which causes thermocouple shutoff. Green Street HVAC technicians can clean your pilot opening in order to remedy this situation. Understand why your furnace is leaking.
Pilot Orifice Clogs
Sometimes, dirt in the pilot assembly can prevent it from maintaining a flame, and prevent enough gas from reaching it through its small tube. This issue is not only common in gas furnaces but can also affect gas water heaters, where a clean pilot light is essential for proper ignition and heating.
- Soot and carbon buildup can clog this tube over time.
- If you can briefly relight your pilot light, examine its flame.
- A strong blue cone should appear at its tip.
- Weak yellow flames don’t provide adequate protection to enclose the thermocouple, leading to system shut-off.
At times, insects such as spiders can block an air intake valve with webs or debris, restricting airflow and preventing a flame from producing heat, which eventually extinguishes it. Before trying to relight your pilot light, locate and turn off the control knob for the gas valve.
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Airflow Problemss
Windy days and nights may blow air past your furnace and extinguish its pilot flame, necessitating you to simply relight it. However, if this issue persists due to airflow problems, it would be wiser to contact an HVAC technician for assistance.
- Another frequent issue with gas intake valves occurs when they become clogged with dirt, restricting oxygen flow to the pilot flame.
- Regular maintenance can help prevent this situation, but if it occurs, a trained technician should be able to efficiently resolve it by cleaning the intake valve.
- Cracked heat exchangers can also contribute to furnace pilot lights repeatedly going out.
- This is because their cracking affects venting and air pressure in the combustion chamber, thereby preventing the flame from igniting.
Before tinkering with the pilot flame, consult your manual for instructions on how to relight it. It is also a good practice to temporarily turn off the gas supply to allow any unburned gas to dissipate safely and call a professional for any furnace-related problems, such as smelly gas emissions or yellow pilot flames.
Gas Supply Issues
A furnace and heat pump pilot light works by using natural gas to generate heat in its combustion chamber, which in turn ignites the main burner and releases warmth into your home. Therefore, its pilot light must remain lit at all times.
Otherwise, flickering or yellowed pilot lights indicate thermocouple issues, which should be repaired by professional service personnel as soon as possible. Additionally, there could be damage in your gas line that allows air to enter, extinguishing the pilot flame completely and requiring immediate professional attention.
Other Potential Problems
Sometimes your furnace pilot light keeps going out due to issues outside your home. If there’s an issue with natural gas supplies, high demand could leave little fuel available for gas appliances in your home, forcing them to shut down entirely and necessitating professional intervention to rectify the problem.
- Even the best-maintained furnace can experience issues.
- Dampness can corrode parts and speed their deterioration more rapidly than expected.
- Gusts of wind can disrupt the proper functioning of venting systems and starve pilot flames of oxygen, forcing them to go out.
- Initially, these issues may be easily resolved by restarting your heating system.
Light the pilot flame with a long-handled match or lighter. Be mindful of any flammable gas that might escape, taking precautionary steps when working around flammable gas. If the issue still remains, however, call an experienced HVAC service professional for an inspection and service visit. You should understand how to increase the lifespan of a furnace.
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Conclusion
If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a warning. The standing pilot light flame is a small yet crucial component of your gas furnace, serving as the ignition source that provides heat by igniting the main burner. When this flame repeatedly goes out, it can indicate underlying issues, such as a faulty gas regulator, which controls the gas flow and pressure to your furnace system. Addressing these problems promptly ensures your gas furnace operates safely.
Trust Green Street HVAC for Reliable Furnace Repair
Having trouble keeping your pilot light on? Green Street HVAC is here to help. Our expert technicians are trained to diagnose and resolve the root cause with Furnace Repair—whether it’s a faulty thermocouple, clogged pilot, airflow issue, or gas supply problem.
We offer fast, dependable furnace repair services with your safety and comfort in mind. Call Green Street HVAC today and let us get your heat back up and running before the next cold front hits.
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