Most gas furnaces had a modest standing pilot light that burned all the time before the advent of contemporary electronic ignition stoves. To control gas flow and ignition of your furnace’s burners, the standing pilot works in conjunction with the thermocouple (an electronic device that detects if the pilot flame is hot enough to ignite natural gas or propane fuel to the burner).
To optimize energy efficiency and longer furnace life, keep the thermocouple clean and the flame correctly set if your furnace includes a pilot light. Before each heating season, inspect the standing pilot light for proper air and fuel combustion and flame color. Just because it stops working does not mean you need a furnace replacement. Here’s how to check, fix, or adjust your standing pilot light for optimal furnace performance.
Examining the Flame of the Pilot Light
The color of a suitable pilot light flame can vary, but it should be blue with a tint of yellow at the flame’s tip, regardless of whether your furnace runs on natural gas or propane. Rust or grime can also cause a bluish-green flame. The purpose of this inspection is to see if the standing pilot light is working properly.
The burner assembly and pilot should be visible after removing the furnace cover panel. You should be able to see the pilot light’s flame.
Relight the pilot light if it has gone out
Examine the color of the pilot light if it is lit. A suitable pilot flame should be blue with a yellow tip and strong enough to cover about 1/2 inch of the thermocouple tip.
The flame will be blue if it is too strong and improperly regulated, but it may be noisy and elevate the thermocouple, resulting in faulty furnace operation.
If the pilot light is turned on but the flame is a feeble yellow color, the thermocouple will not be heated to the correct temperature for the gas valve to open.
Replace the thermocouple if the pilot light does not illuminate or does not keep lit. When the cover is removed, look inside the furnace for any live power.
| WARNING
Gas furnace repairs should be left to the professionals: Any unforeseen circumstances or concerns could swiftly escalate into a deadly situation. If you start working on your furnace and run into any problems, stop and call a professional. |
Controlling the Flame
The standing pilot flame is frequently adjusted with a tiny screw on the pilot valve body. To locate the screw, you may need to consult the furnace manufacturer’s instructions. To modify the flame throw, turn the screw as needed. You should search for the following flame anomalies:
Incomplete combustion and a lack of air generate a yellow flame. A dirty pilot tube tip may be to blame. With a little screwdriver or a nail point, you can generally clean this debris away.
The dirt inside the pilot tube causes a split flame. Clean the tube lightly with a needle or a little nail.
A draft is the most common cause of a flickering or wavering flame. Look around the room to see if there are any noticeable draughts. This flashing can be caused by the removal of the furnace’s cover panel, but it could also indicate a source of the continued draft that has to be addressed.
Our experts are on call and ready to assist you at any time, on any day for things like low-pressure switch replacement, pilot light problems and more. Call Martens Heating & Cooling at 920-685-0111 if you need to know how to identify if the furnace pilot light is out or if you want a professional to help you relight it.