Your furnace’s pilot light may be small, but it plays a big role in keeping your heating system working. When this component malfunctions, you surely would have problems keeping your property warm.
One of the most common concerns with a pilot light is the component not staying lit.
The pilot light’s job is to signal the thermocouple to open the gas line for as long as you need to keep your home warm. So when the pilot light doesn’t stay lit, the thermocouple will also not keep the gas line open, and your furnace won’t provide your much-needed heat. Depending on the cause of this problem, you may need to schedule a heating repair in Longview, TX.
There are many reasons why your pilot light keeps going out. Here are some of them:
Dirty/Damaged Flame Sensor
Your pilot light won’t stay lit if there’s an issue with the flame sensor, also called the thermocouple. The thermocouple senses the flame. And once it detects the flame, it will open the gas line to get the furnace burning.
When something keeps the thermocouple from sensing the flame, it will close the gas line so your pilot light will also not receive its needed fuel and hence will go out.
The solution may be as simple as cleaning the component with an emery cloth. But it may also need replacement. If you aren’t too confident about your repair skills, contact a heating repair company in Longview, TX. This repair doesn’t cost much.
Faulty Gas Regulator
The gas regulator controls the pressure of the gas that comes from the main line (gas coming from the main line is usually under high pressure), so it meets the requirements of your heating system.
If this component is damaged, it can affect gas flow to your heating unit and other appliances. The flow of gas may stay strong, and this may prevent your pilot light from staying lit. This problem is best fixed by a heating repair professional in Longview, TX for safety reasons.
Bad Gas Valve
Your pilot light needs a constant supply of fuel to stay lit. So if the gas valve goes bad, which can happen over time due to corrosion or age, the pilot light won’t receive enough gas to stay lit. You have to contact a professional in this case. But before doing so, check the valve and ensure it is turned ON. It may just be in its OFF position.
Incorrectly Adjusted Pilot Screw
A poorly adjusted pilot screw in a furnace’s gas assembly may cause a furnace pilot light to go out too quickly once ignited. Older furnaces and some modern ones have separate pilot light assemblies for their burners.
This means that you can’t simply adjust the main gas valve to get your furnace pilot light burning again. Instead, you must read just the tiny little screw on the burner’s assembly to allow more or less gas through until it stays lit properly.
Dirty Pilot Orifice
If the pilot light won’t stay lit, check the pilot orifice for soot and grime. One of the signs that dirt is what keeps the pilot light from staying lit is a yellow pilot flame. A pilot light that’s working properly will produce a hot blue flame.
You can easily fix this problem by getting rid of the obstruction using tweezers. But if the furnace pilot light still goes out after you clean it, contact a heating repair professional in Longview, TX.
If you have checked your furnace for the problems listed above but can’t seem to get the pilot light back in its good working condition, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. You may need to spend some bucks, but you don’t have to wait shivering in the cold for a long time.
For a dependable and long-lasting fix, contact your local heating repair company in Longview, TX – Napps Cooling, Heating & Plumbing at 903-758-6482.
