how do you clean the pilot light on a gas furnace

• Turn off the gas leading to your furnace.
• Open up furnace cover and look at the pilot light and thermocouple.
• Set both pieces on the towel (or some other soft surface which you can clean easily later.
• Use the wire brush to scrub the pilot light and thermocouple.

Full Answer

How to fix a furnace pilot light?

• Remove the pilot tube first
• Rub a piece of sandpaper on the tip of the pilot orifice
• Use a can of compressed air in the points where dirt is most likely to accumulate
• Use a thin, soft-bristled brush to reach every tiny nook of the orifice and burner

How do I light the pilot on my furnace?

After waiting for 10 minutes, use the following procedure to relight the pilot light:

• Open the gas valve on the supply line and turn the gas control knob to PILOT.
• Push in the knob and hold it in. If the knob won't go in, fiddle with it until it does. ...
• Push the ignite button repeatedly if the furnace has one. ...
• Keep pushing in the control knob for about 20 seconds after the pilot lights. ...
• Release the knob and make sure the flame stays on. ...

Should you turn off your furnace pilot light?

You will have to relight the pilot when you turn the valve back on for the winter months. It isn't a good idea to turn off your pilot if your hot water is heated with gas. In some cases, ice could form and break some of the smaller pipes in the furnace. Keeping the pilot light on will cost money, but it can also melt any ice around the heater.

What to do when pilot light goes out on furnace?

• Turn off your gas valve and wait about 3 minutes
• Switch the valve to ‘pilot’ and press your ‘reset’ button down
• With reset pressed down, hold a lit match into the pilot light aperture until the pilot light ignites
• If it doesn’t stay lit, then you may need to do some troubleshooting from our steps or contact a local professional to help

How do you clean a clogged pilot line?

0:191:35Gas Pilot Cleaner - A 3 Minute Repair - GasPilotCleaner.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe easiest way to clean a pilot assembly is the only way operating pump once or twice will easilyMoreThe easiest way to clean a pilot assembly is the only way operating pump once or twice will easily clear the ash from the orifice. Inside the pilot assembly.

What causes a weak pilot flame?

If your pilot light is burning but has a weak, yellow flame, it is not working efficiently enough. The pilot light flame should be blue, slightly tinged with yellow only at the tip — a sign there is enough heat to warm your water or your home.

How do you clean a dirty thermocouple?

Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.

How do you clean a pilot light sensor?

1:232:39How To Clean a Flame Sensor - Furnace Troubleshooting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd all we have to do to clean this is just to take a little piece of Emery paper. And sand itMoreAnd all we have to do to clean this is just to take a little piece of Emery paper. And sand it slightly. So if you don't have any of the sand. Cloth.

How do you fix a weak pilot light?

0:441:39Troubleshooting – Service Code 1 Weak Pilot Signal - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaking sure there's no kinks or cracks splits. If you will and then the connection into the gasMoreMaking sure there's no kinks or cracks splits. If you will and then the connection into the gas valve. Reassemble after its cleaned and inspected reassemble.

Does gas still flow when pilot light goes out?

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard and requiring immediate repair.

What does a furnace thermocouple look like?

0:335:18Furnace - Thermocouple | Repair and Replace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd will ignite the main burner when heat is needed the thermocouple is a safety device thatMoreAnd will ignite the main burner when heat is needed the thermocouple is a safety device that monitors the pilot. Light heated it creates voltage which opens the gas valve only when it's safe to burn.

How do I clean the thermocouple on my gas logs?

Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. ... Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple.Wipe away any remaining dirt or soot on the thermocouple with a clean, dry cloth.

Can I use sandpaper to clean a thermocouple?

In cleaning a thermocouple, you need some steel wool or 60-grit sandpaper, and a cloth. First, turn off the gas supply, unscrew the thermocouple and then clean it with steel wool or sandpaper then wipe down with a cloth to remove residue. I clean our thermocouple every six months to avoid getting it coated with soot.

Can a furnace ignitor be cleaned?

If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it's working haphazardly, it too could be covered with soot, and a blast of compressed air may be enough to clean it. Compressed air can also clean a blocked pilot tube that is causing the pilot flame to burn weakly or not at all.

What can I use to clean the flame sensor on my furnace?

0:274:00Proper Cleaning of a Furnace Flame Sensor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs far as cleaning the sensor itself. There the factory recommended way of cleaning them is eitherMoreAs far as cleaning the sensor itself. There the factory recommended way of cleaning them is either with a piece of steel wool or actually scraping them with a straight edged knife.

Can you use sandpaper to clean flame sensor?

To clean the sensor, simply rub the metal rod gently with light grit sandpaper, steel wool, or emery cloth to eliminate the carbon buildup. Note: Never use sandpaper as it will damage your flame sensor's rod. After that, use a clean and dry paper towel to get the excess particles and dust from the metal rod.

How to fix a furnace pilot light?

Follow the instructions on your furnace owner’s manual to relight the pilot light, and then set it to run as usual. Turn up the thermostat until the furnace fires to ensure that it’s working properly and that nothing is blocking the flow of gas. If the pilot still won’t light or stay lit, call for professional furnace repair.

How to clean a pilot light?

Make sure nothing is stuck to the metal. Next, use compressed air to drive out soot and soil that may be deep inside the pilot light. Then, use a handheld vacuum or canister vacuum with a nozzle attachment to remove any remaining particles.

How to clean a pilot tube?

How to Clean the Orifice. Once the pilot tube is removed from the orifice, use a fine-grit sandpaper to clean off the tip of the orifice. This can remove any oxidation buildup or mineral deposits that have found their way to the crevices of the gas pilot orifice.

Why do you need to clean the glass tube on a pilot light?

If the orifice is gunky with grime, a quick cleaning can give new life to a nonworking appliance. If the pilot light is covered in carbon residue or soot, it needs a good cleaning in order to get the appliance to roar back to life.

How to stop gas from flowing to water heater?

Turn it clockwise to halt the flow of gas to the water heater. Loosen any nuts that hold the tube or orifice together or attaches it to the appliance.

What is the purpose of a pilot tube?

The pilot tube supplies a small amount of gas directly to the pilot orifice. This is what creates the tiny flame that is responsible for heating the tip of the thermocouple.

What you should know before you begin

Always follow the instructions that come with your specific fireplace! Not following the instructions may cause a fire or explosion and may result in property damage, personal injury, or loss of life. Another reason is that every fireplace is designed differently, and has different ways of handling its components.

Step-by-step: How to Clean A Pilot Light On Gas Fireplace

If your gas and fire switch is located on the wall beside the fireplace, make sure that they are completely turned off. Then, look inside the fireplace and ensure that the pilot light is completely out. After that, wait for 5 minutes for any gas to leave the piping safely before you begin work.

When and how to maintain your gas fireplace?

Pilot assembly: Clean them monthly by spraying them with a compressed air spray. Soot build-up will cause issues with lighting up the fire.

Key Takeaways

Before you begin cleaning your gas fireplace, always check if there is a gas leak by smelling near and next to the floor. If you smell something like a rotten egg, do not turn on any appliances in the house, leave outside immediately, and call the manufacturer/fire brigade. Overall, you should clean the pilot light every month.

How to Light a Furnace Pilot Light

Here, we will explain the basic steps for re-lighting the pilot light of a gas furnace.

1: At First, Locate the Instructions Label on Your Furnace

Every furnace has a label on it that tells you how to light a furnace. However, sometimes the furnace area may be dark, or the printing may be small. In these cases, it may be difficult to read the label. Keep the following instructions near your furnace or in another safe spot where they can be located easily to make the task much more manageable.

2: Next, Find the Pilot Light and Components

Near the bottom of your furnace is a switch that usually says “Pilot,” “On” and “Off.” When you find this switch, turn it to the “Off” position. Then wait at least five minutes. This is important because it gives some time to the gas to dissipate. This step is necessary to avoid the possibility of starting a fire.

3: Finally, Re-Light the Pilot Light

Once the gas dissipates, turn the knob to “Pilot.” Then, hold down the “Reset” button, bringing the flame of a long lighter close to the pilot light opening. This should light the furnace pilot light. Once you are sure that the pilot light is on, release your pressure on the reset button.

Final Thoughts

Lighting the gas furnace pilot light is not needed very often, but is a useful skill you want to have in case it is required. As long as you keep on following the steps on how to light a furnace, you should have no problem, and your room will be warm and cozy.