What should I do if my furnace pilot light keeps going out?

If you’re having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple, double-check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces, but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters.

What should I do if my furnace wont turn off?

If your furnace doesn’t have a switch, simply ignore this step and move on to turning off the breaker. The light switch will typically have a faceplate and an electrical box to house the wires, just like a regular outlet. If you flip the switch and your furnace kicks on, you were probably trying to troubleshoot the furnace when it was off!

Where is the thermocouple on a furnace pilot light?

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.

Can a gas furnace be turned off in the summer?

Many gas furnaces in operation today still have a continuous pilot flame. Turning off the pilot flame in the summer is easy to do and well worth the effort, but very few people do it, either because they don’t know how or aren’t aware that they should.

Why does the pilot light on my furnace keep going out?

The thermocouple is the copper rod the pilot flame directly hits. Sometimes it’s referred to as the “flame sensor.” It’s a safety mechanism that shuts the gas off should the pilot go out. If the thermocouple fails to shut off the gas, all the gas flowing through the furnace could get into your home.

How do you turn off the pilot flame on a gas furnace?

Turn the furnace dial to “pilot” position. Press and hold the thermocouple bypass button (otherwise no gas will flow since the thermocouple will detect that there is no pilot flame). While holding down the bypass button, hold a lit lighter or match at the location of the pilot flame.

What should I do if my gas furnace keeps going out?

If you are trying to light a standing pilot light on an old furnace but it keeps going out, make sure you are holding the pilot button long enough. Once you light the pilot, you need to keep the button depressed for at least 30 seconds (sometimes up to 1 minute).

Why does my furnace turn off when there is no flame?

A flame sensor lets your system know there’s a flame when the gas valve is open. If there isn’t a flame, the sensor will shut off the gas valve to keep the gas from getting into your house. If the flame sensor is dirty or has become corroded, the flame won’t register and will turn off the gas valve, which, in turn, causes your system to shut down.

Why is the pilot light on my water heater not working?

After cleaning, make sure you check on the thermocouple’s position. Also, check if it’s slightly bent. The thermocouple needs to be near the pilot light for it to receive heat and open the gas valve. If it’s too far away, heat will not be received and, therefore, an electric current will not be produced.

Why does my water pilot keep going out?

Therefore, a dirty thermocouple might be the reason why your water pilot keeps going out. A layer of dirt and grime can hinder the electric current from reaching the thermocouple. As a result, the gas supply will be cut off and the pilot light will go out.

Why is the pilot light on my hot water heater not working?

The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. Without it, the water heater won’t be able to maintain internal temperatures, allowing the water to cool off. Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters. Need to hire a plumber?

What should I do if my furnace is 30 years old?

Use weather-stripping around moving parts so that your doors and windows have a tighter seal. If your furnace is 30 years old, you should start thinking about a replacement even if it’s not showing problem signs.

What should the reading be on a pilot light on a water heater?

The sensor at the end should lightly touch the flame when the pilot’s lit. In the event it has become bent away from the flame, gently bend it back. A thermocouple which shows no signs of damage and is clean should be tested with a multimeter. The reading should be above 20MV.