Nowadays, most gas furnaces are ignited with electronic ignition. But if you are working with an older furnace, the chances of one having a standing pilot flame that starts your heating system are high. Generally, this standing pilot serves as a small ignition flame for the gas burner, and this is one of the most common reasons why an older gas furnace fails to operate.
Why does this happen?
Here are some common reasons that result in a pilot light going out and eventually a system shutdown:
- Age and condition of heating system: If your propane or gas furnace has a standing pilot light. The chances of it being a 20+ years older one are high. If a heating system is that old, it is likely to have many components and parts that have become worn, dirty, and inefficient throughout the years. So, any of these parts failing to work can lead to the pilot light going out.
- Cracked heat exchanger: If there is a crack in the heat exchanger, it will impact the venting and air pressure inside the combustion chamber, which straightway impacts the flame inside.
- Gas supply & Gas valve issues: The standing pilot light depends on a reliable propane source or gas to stay lit. If there is an issue with this gas supply to the flame, whether malfunctioning or dirty, it can result in the flame going out.
- Thermocouple malfunction: The thermocouple is a safety device that determines whether the furnace pilot light is ignited or not. The thermocouple and the pilot light work together to keep the gas line open for the flame. A thermocouple malfunctioning or dirty often shut the gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out.
How to repair a broken pilot light?
You can try to re-ignite the pilot light following the instructions in the manual, but it is not an advisable thing to do. If you smell gas in your utility closet, then there might be a good chance that gas has already built up and can result in property damage or injury if you try to re-ignite it yourself. In this case, you should contact a professional team for furnace repair in Marietta.
Why Top Tech Mechanical Services?
They offer the most efficient furnace replacement in Marietta. They always keep up with the latest technologies and provide their customers with only exceptional services and products. Their team of licensed and insured experts offers high-quality services at the lowest prices in fast and reliable response times.
