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If your furnace starts blowing cool air as opposed to the warm air that it’s intended to produce, it’s safe to say, that would not be a pleasant situation. But don’t worry; we got you! Middletown Heating & Cooling is always here to help you out if this happens. Usually, when a furnace shuts off, it’s because the pilot light has blown out. This is a common issue that can occur every so often. Thankfully, we have created a step-by-step guide to walk you through how you can relight your pilot light without any trouble at all. 

HOW CAN YOU RELIGHT YOUR FURNACE’S PILOT LIGHT STEP-BY-STEP?    

  • Always refer to your equipment manufacturer’s instructions first, if possible, when you need to relight your pilot light. Most heating units have labels with specific relighting instructions for your furnace model somewhere on the side of the unit. If your unit is in an easily accessible and well-lit space, simply following these label directions will be enough. However, if it’s tough for you to locate or read the label, use the steps below for general guidance instead. 
  • Start by making sure your lighter can reach the pilot light. Long-reaching lighters work best. 
  • Then, find and remove the burner cover on your furnace, carefully putting it to the side. The burner cover is the small metal door or access panel that covers and protects the pilot light opening. Keep in mind, your particular furnace model may or may not have a burner cover. 
  • Lastly, turn off your furnace by locating the power switch (usually located at the base of the unit.) 
  • Next, it’s also extremely important to turn off the gas supply. This is for safety reasons, of course. Whenever you work with gas-related equipment, it’s crucial to turn off the gas before moving on to the next steps. The gas valve should be located nearby; simply turn the gas off by rotating the valve to the “off” position. 
  • After you have turned off the gas supply, please wait for at least five minutes before moving on to the steps below. This step is a NECESSITY, so that the gas that was built-up prior has an appropriate time to disperse before you reignite the pilot flame. Therefore, this is a step crucial for your own well-being. 
  • Allow five minutes to pass, then restart the power by turning the knob to “pilot.” Next, press and hold down the “reset” button. Finally, bring an ignited lighter close to the pilot light opening. Be very careful as you move. Once you are close enough, the lighter’s flame should spark the pilot light so that it starts glowing again. When you see the pilot flame again, you may let go of the “reset” button. 
  • After relighting your furnace’s pilot light, give your HVAC system several minutes to heat up. Then, you should start feeling warmth coming from vents around your home.  
  • Once you have confirmed that the pilot light is functioning properly once again, make sure to turn the gas supply valve back on. 
  • Lastly, don’t forget to put the burner cover back on! 

SHOULD I REPLACE THE THERMOCOUPLE TO GET MY PILOT LIGHT WORKING AGAIN?     

If the pilot light goes out upon release of the “reset” switch, it may be because of a broken thermocouple or some other system-related issue. Unless you’re a licensed HVAC technician, we do not recommend trying to fix it yourself. Our NATE-certified technicians are more than qualified to come out and diagnose the issue for you, so please give us a call if you are still encountering issues. 

WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT TIPS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RELIGHTING A PILOT LIGHT?     

  1. Keep your hands safe by using a long lighter to help you stay away from the flame. If you can’t find a long lighter, try using a longer matchstick so that you can reach the pilot light area without getting too close.  
  1. A dirty pilot light could snuff that pilot light out once it’s relit again. So, if yours is dirty you may clean it with a small brush or even cotton swab. 

Is your pilot light still giving you grief? No problem! Just give us a call, and we’ll send out one of our certified Middletown Heating & Cooling technicians to take care of the issue. You shouldn’t have to suffer in your own home, so let us provide a resolution that will leave you contented and comfortable. Call us for all your HVAC needs at (513) 268-3789, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!