![]() However, a failure in the thermocouple doesn’t necessarily mean it’s faulty. If there is noticeable flickering, one side seems to struggle to light, or the base of the flame is yellow instead of the hotter blue, you are likely dealing with some sort of blockage or buildup. You can often spot this even when the light is on. This can interfere with the light’s operation. The shaft that the light comes out of might contain debris of some sort. While the list below isn’t necessarily exhaustive, it covers the most common causes associated with an extinguished pilot light: There are several possible causes of a pilot light going out. The difference in terms isn’t as important as knowing what type of furnace system you have so that you can properly assess the problem if you experience a lack of heat. If the light doesn’t hit the thermocouple, it will engage the safety trigger. Thermocouples are copper rods that directly interface with the flame from the pilot light. Thermocouples are sometimes called flame sensors, so don’t get confused if you hear the term but have a pilot light in your home. However, this is for the burners themselves, not a pilot light. It detects whether or not the burners on your furnace are working properly. However, both refer to the safety devices that detect a working flame in your system.įlame sensors are used on systems with an electric igniter. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re slightly different. Thermocouples & Flame Sensors: What They Are and When They Go Bad We’ll talk about how each one works, and what measures are needed to fix them. We’re going to discuss two similar safety devices below: flame sensors and thermocouples. This presents a very clear danger, which is why it’s important to deal with a faulty pilot light immediately. The fear here is that if your pilot light isn’t lit, but the system is trying to heat, you may be releasing gas into your home. This device is intended to detect the flame and acts as a cut-off switch if something is wrong. In any system with a pilot light, there will be at least one safety device present. It can also be used to talk about an indicator light on a device, one that signals that the device has power and is functioning properly.įor our purposes, we’re only talking about the pilot light for your furnace. Occasionally “pilot light” can refer to the ignition source for other appliances, such as ovens or fireplaces. Differentiating Usages of the Term Pilot Light In most modern equipment, an electric igniter is used, even in a furnace that uses natural gas. Having a flame perpetually lit can be costly in the long run, burning up natural gas and increasing your utility bills slightly. In Central Ohio, I’d say that only around 5% of the furnaces we see have pilot lights. Each year we see fewer and fewer furnaces with standing pilot lights. Pilot lights are a dying breed in HVAC installation. ![]() If it’s simply room-temperature air, your pilot light may be the cause of it. The most noticeable sign that your pilot light is out is when you feel air coming out of your vents, but it’s not warm. But the larger burners can’t light unless the initial flame source-your pilot light-is working properly. When your thermostat communicates to your furnace to turn on, these burners will light to provide heat from your home. The light is an ignition source for the larger gas burners that are located inside your furnace. If your home runs solely on electric power, you won’t have a pilot light. It is simply a gas flame, which first means that it will only be present in gas HVAC systems. Some of these furnaces could be as old as 30 years. Lastly, what steps to take to ensure that your pilot light doesn’t give you trouble anymore.Ī pilot light is a type of igniter that’s typically found in older furnaces.What systems are in place to ensure your safety.What function(s) they perform in your HVAC system.In this article, we’ll cover common questions related to pilot lights, including: ![]() Let’s turn you into an expert on pilot lights, so you don’t have to feel anxiety the next time your system gives you trouble. Our job as HVAC professionals is to demystify the equipment in your home and to educate you on subjects that people are asking about. The web is littered with searches for “how do you relight a pilot light?” and “why does my pilot light always go out?” We only tend to think about pilot lights when they become a problem.
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