If the pilot light on your gas heater has gone out, there are numerous issues that may be behind it. To assess the situation, work your way through these tips. In some cases, it may be a simple fix, but in other cases, you may need to call a professional.
1. Try to Relight the Pilot Light
The light may have just gone out due to a draft in the room or because of a fluke. To relight it, turn the switch from "on" to "pilot". If the switch was "off", that's why your pilot light wasn't on, as that cuts off the propane to the heater.
With most heaters, there is an additional button that you need to hold down whilst you are lighting the pilot light. After the flame is burning, you may need to continue to hold that button, which is red, down.
2. Check the Propane
In most cases, your pilot light should light easily. If it doesn't, you may want to check your propane levels. If the propane is gone, the light won't go on. It needs the fuel to burn.
Luckily, that's a quick fix—just call the propane company to fill your tank. Some companies may require a pressurisation test if the tank is empty. That helps them assess if there is a leak in the system.
3. Investigate the Vents
If your pilot light consistently seems to go on and off, the issue may be with your vents. If the vents are allowing excess air to get into the system, that could snuff out the pilot light, and that can be terribly inconvenient, as you need a lit pilot light to keep the heater going.
In some cases, wind can sweep in through the vent and put out the light. To prevent that, you may need to replace the vent on your roof or add a cap over it to prevent air flowing to the inside.
4. Contact a Professional
If the propane tank is full and the vents are working properly, there are no other insignificant reasons that your pilot light is going out, and at this point, you may want to contact a professional. A malfunctioning pilot light can be related to a bad heat exchanger, a bad valve or a bad thermocouple. A heater repair or HVAC professional can help you address that issue.
To learn more troubleshooting tips or to get help, contact a heater repair person today.
