How to Relight a Pilot Light on a Gas Furnace

You will need either a butane lighter or long matches to relight your pilot light.

The pilot light on a gas furnace ignites the furnace when it turns on. This is a small gas flame that typically stays on at all times. When it goes out, your furnace will not light.

What can cause a pilot light to go out?

A light breeze, wind, draft, blockage in the gas line, suspension of gas service, gas leak, or a broken furnace.

How do I Relight the Pilot light?

First you have to find it. You can try your user manual to find the exact location, but it is usually located near a small knob that says “On”, “Off”, and “Pilot” low down on the furnace. Each furnace is different, so when in doubt, if you don’t have the manual, Google the furnace make and model and “owners manual”.

Once you find the knob, turn it to Off and wait a couple of minutes for the gas to dissipate. If you continue to smell gas, there may be another problem, like a leak, so be absolutely sure there is no leak before trying to relight the pilot light.

Once you are sure there is no gas leak, turn the knob to Pilot – this will get the gas going again. locate and press the Reset Button while simultaneously lighting the match and placing it near the pilot opening. Once it is lit, you can release the Reset Button. This may take a couple of tries, but once it works, the furnace should then turn on automatically.

Keep an eye on the pilot light for a few minutes after the furnace is on to make sure the pilot stays lit. Stay toasty and have a great New Jersey winter!

If you are still having a problem, please call us! We would be happy to help.

 

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