Why Does My Furnace Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

Furnaces use gas and a pilot light to heat the air and distribute the warm air throughout your home by using output ducts. Unfortunately, if your pilot light stops working, you might not know what to look for when your furnace stops heating your Springfield, VA, home. To explain why, we’ll point out some reasons the pilot light might continue to go out.

Dirty Thermocouple

Every gas furnace comes with a thermocouple, a safety device preventing gas from escaping when the pilot light goes out. It’s a copper rod inside the furnace that’s in constant contact with the flame. When the thermocouple’s intake valves get filthy with debris, the thermocouple stops detecting the pilot light and shuts off the gas.

Disrupted Airflow

When air hits the pilot light, it interrupts the flame or extinguishes it. Drafts caused by windy days or leaks in the furnace output duct will also cause its pilot light to blow out. Check for any drafts near the furnace, and keep the air registers in your home unobstructed.

Faulty Gas Regulator

Gas regulators monitor the amount of gas distributed to your furnace. When the gas regulator stops functioning, it disrupts the amount of gas administered to the pilot light.

Without sufficient gas, the furnace can’t keep the pilot light on. This results in a lack of warm air for the HVAC system to distribute and heat your home.

As a resident of Springfield, VA, you depend on your furnace to provide you with heat during the winter. Never ignore it when your pilot light continues to go out because it could be a serious problem. If you suspect your pilot light is faulty, call our experts at E.M. Logan Inc. to fix your furnace today. We’ll ensure your heating system operates safely and efficiently all winter.

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