Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

The pilot light is one of many vital components that make up your furnace. Unfortunately, it’s also the most susceptible to damage. Some problems have an easy solution, while others require boiler repair from an HVAC contractor in Bridgeport, CT. Here are the most common causes of a broken pilot light.

Broken flame sensor

The furnace’s flame sensor, otherwise known as a thermocouple, does exactly what the name suggests. When this component senses the pilot light, it signals the valve to release more gas. A broken flame sensor will shut off the gas, hence why your pilot light keeps going out.

Broken pilot lights are an easy fix if the flame sensor is dirty or misaligned. Homeowners who feel comfortable doing so can remove the flame sensor for a cleaning or adjust its position. However, an HVAC professional in Bridgeport, CT will have to replace the flame sensor if it’s completely broken.

Filthy pilot orifice

Fixing a broken pilot light could be as simple as cleaning the orifice. To determine if the pilot orifice needs cleaning, manually ignite the flame and see how it looks. If the pilot flame appears yellow or diminished, schedule a boiler repair with your local HVAC contractor. They’ll safely disassemble the orifice and clean out any gunk that’s smothering the flame.

Insufficient gas

Your furnace’s pilot light could be going out if the gas meter outside your home isn’t supplying enough fuel. If the gas meter is causing problems, you’ll likely notice that other gas appliances like the stovetop burners are receiving insufficient fuel, too. In this case, there’s nothing wrong with your furnace. Contact your utility provider in Bridgeport, CT and have them check out your natural gas meter.

Something other than your gas meter could also be the issue. Low gas pressure also occurs when the gas supply in your neighborhood gets maxed out. Pilot lights are very sensitive to shifts in gas consumption, so even a little dip in pressure can snuff out the flame. A boiler repair won’t solve the problem if neighbors are having trouble with their gas appliances, too.

Draft in the basement

If your pilot light goes out, try manually igniting it. You might discover the pilot light was never broken to begin with! A strong draft can easily snuff out a flame, especially if your home has poor insulation. Wind storms are known to extinguish pilot lights, but if yours goes out on a regular basis, there could also be a leaky duct near the furnace. Again, calling in a local HVAC contractor is your best bet for troubleshooting the problem.

In addition to a broken pilot light, a whole slew of problems can hinder your furnace’s performance. Not all problems are easy to detect or have a quick fix, which is why the HVAC contractors at BLM Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help. We offer a comprehensive range of repair services to get your furnace back up and running. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment.

Categorised in: Heating Service

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