Brrrr! You wake up on a chilly Arizona morning and notice your furnace blowing cold air instead of the cozy warmth you expect. You likely have a pilot light out in your furnace.
This small but essential flame acts as the ignition source for your gas furnace, and when it goes out, your heating system can’t provide the heat needed to keep your home comfortable.
Your furnace’s pilot light operates as a critical safety feature and heating component. Understanding how to diagnose, address, and prevent pilot light issues will help you maintain consistent heating in your Arizona home while ensuring your family’s safety around gas appliances. Let's learn a bit more!
A pilot light out means no heat from your furnace - you’ll notice cold air from vents and no warm air circulation.
You can safely relight most pilot lights yourself following your furnace manual, but never attempt it if you smell gas.
Common causes in Arizona include dust buildup, monsoon-related drafts, and thermocouple failures from extreme temperature changes.
Pilot lights repeatedly going out signal underlying problems that require professional HVAC service.
Regular maintenance prevents most pilot light issues and extends your furnace's lifespan in Arizona’s harsh climate.
Worried that your pilot light is out? Here are five signs that may help you spot the problem.
Your furnace blows cold air instead of warm air during heating.
The furnace fan runs, but no heat is produced because the main burners won’t ignite without the pilot flame.
When you look inside the furnace cabinet, you won’t see the small blue flame in the pilot light area. Most modern furnaces have a window or panel for safely checking this.
Your thermostat calls for heat, but the furnace doesn’t start. The gas valve stays closed for safety since there’s no pilot flame.
The furnace may shut down completely to prevent gas leaks.
To check safely, locate the furnace’s access panel in a well-ventilated area. Look near the main burners for the pilot light assembly. A working pilot light shows a small, steady blue flame.
Take these essential safety steps immediately if you find your furnace pilot light out to protect your home and family.
Turn off your furnace at the main power switch and wait 15 minutes to let any leftover gas clear safely.
Check for any gas smell near the furnace. If you smell gas, leave your home right away and call your gas company from outside. Never try to relight the pilot light if you smell gas.
Find your furnace manual for specific instructions on relighting the pilot light. Follow these carefully for your furnace model.
Make sure the furnace area is well-ventilated by opening windows to prevent gas buildup.
Have a flashlight ready to see the pilot light area clearly and follow safety steps without confusion.
Follow these simple steps to safely relight your pilot light and get your furnace working again.
Turn the gas control valve to “OFF” and wait 10 minutes to clear any gas.
Remove the furnace access panel to see the pilot light area.
Find the pilot light orifice, thermocouple, and reset button in your manual.
Turn the gas valve to “PILOT” and hold down the reset button.
Use a long lighter to ignite the pilot, then hold the reset button for 30-60 seconds.
Release the reset button slowly and check whether the pilot flame remains lit and maintains a steady blue color.
Turn the gas valve to “ON” and replace the access panel.
Set your thermostat higher to see if the main burners light.
If the pilot light won’t stay lit, call Parker & Sons to have a trained HVAC professional inspect and repair your furnace. Trying to fix persistent pilot light issues yourself can be unsafe and may indicate a larger problem requiring professional service.
If your pilot light is out, you're probably wondering why. Arizona’s environment can cause pilot lights to go out more often than in other places.
Dust storms blow fine particles that clog the pilot orifice, reducing gas flow and weakening the pilot flame.
Thermocouples, which detect the pilot flame and keep the gas valve open, can fail due to Arizona’s extreme temperature swings. This causes metal parts to expand and contract, leading to connection problems.
Strong monsoon winds can blow out the small pilot flame through furnace vents.
Dirty or corroded gas line connections, worsened by dust, can reduce the gas flow needed for a steady flame.
Blocked furnace vents from dust or animals disrupt the airflow needed for combustion.
Older furnaces (over 15 years old) are subject to natural wear, which can affect pilot light reliability.
If you're curious how to prevent future pilot light problems, here are some significant facts to know!
To keep your pilot light working well in Arizona’s harsh climate, follow these tips:
Schedule yearly furnace maintenance before winter to catch problems early.
Change air filters every 30-60 days during dusty seasons to keep debris out and improve airflow.
Keep the furnace area clean and clear to ensure good ventilation.
Install vent screens to block dust and small animals from clogging vents.
Consider upgrading to an electronic ignition system if your furnace is over 20 years old to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance.
Check your pilot light monthly for a steady, blue flame with no flickering or color changes.
Understanding the specific reasons why Arizona affects your pilot light will help you prevent future problems. Here are some helpful tips for Arizona homeowners:
Clean furnace vents after heavy spring dust storms to avoid blockages.
Test your pilot light before the first cold weather in December.
Inspect thermocouple connections during temperature changes between seasons.
Watch the pilot light's stability during summer monsoon winds and protect it if needed.
If you keep encountering pilot light issues, it may be time to upgrade your furnace. Modern furnaces offer many benefits over older standing-pilot light systems, especially for Arizona homeowners.
They use electronic ignition, which means no need for a constantly burning pilot light. This saves gas and reduces maintenance.
Electronic ignition can reduce gas use by up to 30% because gas only flows when heating is needed, helping lower your utility bills.
New high-efficiency furnaces handle Arizona’s temperature swings better and offer more reliable, consistent heating.
Many local utility companies offer rebates for upgrading to these efficient systems, making replacement more affordable.
If your furnace is over 15 years old or you frequently need pilot light repairs, it might be the perfect time to consider upgrading to a newer model. Modern furnaces not only offer enhanced safety features but also provide significant energy savings, making your home more comfortable and your utility bills more manageable. Upgrading can bring peace of mind knowing your heating system is reliable and efficient, especially during those chilly Arizona mornings.
Don’t let a pilot light problem leave your home without reliable heating! If you’re experiencing repeated pilot light issues, safety concerns, or need professional furnace maintenance, contact Parker & Sons today.
Our experienced HVAC technicians understand Arizona’s unique climate challenges and provide fast, reliable service throughout the Phoenix and Tucson area. Give our team a call today!
If your pilot light goes out more than twice within a month, call a professional HVAC technician immediately. Don’t wait if you smell gas, notice yellow flames, or feel unsafe performing relighting procedures. Repeated pilot light failures indicate underlying problems that require professional diagnosis and repair to prevent safety hazards.
Modern furnaces have safety systems that shut off the gas flow when the pilot light extinguishes, preventing dangerous gas buildup in your home. The main danger occurs if you smell gas and attempt to relight without proper ventilation and safety procedures. Never use matches or open flames if you detect any gas odor around your furnace.
Strong monsoon winds can create downdrafts through furnace venting systems, extinguishing pilot flames even inside your home. Increased humidity and changes in barometric pressure during storms affect gas combustion efficiency, increasing the likelihood that pilot lights will go out. Dust and debris blown by monsoon winds can also clog pilot orifices and affect proper gas flow.
Converting existing pilot light systems to electronic ignition typically isn’t cost-effective or practical for most homeowners. The conversion requires extensive modifications to gas controls, wiring, and safety systems, often costing more than furnace replacement. Consider upgrading to a new high-efficiency furnace with electronic ignition for better long-term value and reliability.
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