How To Check If My Pilot Light Is On In My Home Heating System

When your heat stops working, you might be tempted to check if your pilot light is on in your home heating system. After all, if the pilot light is off in a gas furnace, then no matter how much gas flows through the system, it won’t ignite and create heat for your home.

The pilot light in gas furnaces was designed with safety in mind. Sometimes it is hidden behind panels, and it is often difficult to see without knowing where to look. If your gas furnace isn’t working, it is a logical step to check to see if your pilot light is on in your home heating system. However, for your own safety and the safety of your home and family, we do NOT recommend that you attempt to re-light your pilot light if you identify that the pilot light is off.

Why Lighting Your Pilot Light On Your Gas Furnace Can Be Dangerous

The pilot light is a simple mechanism that keeps your gas furnace burning a small amount of gas whether your furnace is heating your home or not. Having a flame that is always burning means that your furnace can fire up in an instant, giving you faster heat. For the most part, pilot lights are very safe and there is nothing to fear if your furnace has a pilot light.

However, although lighting your system’s pilot light can be a simple operation when you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you could put your family and home at risk by lighting your pilot light without the proper training. This is because a properly trained technician will check gas lines, gas flow, leaks, electronics, and all other components to ensure that the system is safe before you light the pilot flame.

If you want to check if your pilot light is on in your home heating system, you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions; however, we highly recommend you call us to inspect your system and let the professionals get your pilot light – and your furnace – back in working order. 815.477.2600

JUST CALL RELLAIRE!