Pilot Light Out On Furnace Danger

Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves thermocouples or heat exchangers faulty venting low gas pressure or high winds.

Pilot light out on furnace danger. If the pilot light is not lit the gas burner will not ignite which could cause a dangerous situation by letting highly flammable gas escape into the air. The basic idea is that the pilot ignites gas as it enters the main burner of your furnace. However if the light goes out frequently there could be other issues. Call a service technician to repair these problems.

Sometimes pilot lights go out because the flame is set too low. If the pilot light goes out you can. Sometimes it s referred to as the flame sensor it s a safety mechanism that shuts the gas off should the pilot go out. For example dirt can build up in the intake valve and restrict the amount of oxygen that is required to keep the pilot light burning efficiently.

The pilot light has a thermocouple that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out. This is the purpose o that button you hold down while attempting to relight it. Dirt buildup around the pilot light. Other problems like low gas pressure a loose or faulty thermocouple or a gas control valve that s not working right can also cause the pilot light to keep going out.

On most firnaces there is a flame temperature sensor that will prevent the main burner gas valve from opening if the pilot light is not lit on some the control system lights the pilot flame electronically. Every once in a while your pilot light can go out due to nothing other than a strong draft around your furnace. It could basically be looked at as the catalyst for how your furnace provides heat. The thermocouple is the copper rod the pilot flame directly hits.

When the pilot light goes out it does not leak carbon monoxide gas. If the thermocouple fails to shut off the gas all the gas flowing through the furnace could get into your home. So should shutting off your pilot be part of your furnace maintenance check. But that little blue flame needs fuel too.

Your pilot is a pretty simple if not highly effective bit of tech.