(Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting. Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times.
This way, you will make sure that the gas escapes the pipe completely and it burns out in the pilot light. Then wait for at least five minutes before moving on to the next stage.
This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.Ībout 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time. Before you start cleaning your pilot light, make sure that the gas valve is turned off Spot the gas valve near the furnace and turn it off. Read more about propane gas furnaces.First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. If you would like to explore your options in new propane gas furnaces further, please reach out to your local propane company for advice.
#FLICKERY PROPANE PILOT LIGHT HOW TO#
Follow these steps to diagnose and clean your pilot light: How to clean a pilot light on a gas stovetop: Sometimes food particles and dirt may accumulate on the tip of the pilot light and block it off. When the pilot light is not needed, it is completely off, saving you money on propane gas. Dirt and food debris may accumulate on the tip of the pilot light and close it off. The difference is that the flame is only lit (by an electronic spark) when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. It uses a small flame to ignite the burners just like a conventional pilot light. The ignition heats up to a temperature that is hot enough to ignite the gas to your burners, and then it shuts off after it has done its job.Īnother type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot light. Both units were approximately 4 to 6 feet from the door. Apparently, the gas vapors seeped into the office building 28 feet from the tanker truck and reached the pilot light on the buildings furnace or hot water heater. This is a small electronic device that receives an electrical current whenever your thermostat calls for heat. A large amount of propane leaked from the tanker truck, creating a cloud of propane gas. Most furnaces with electronic ignition have a device called a hot surface igniter. We know that a standard pilot light uses about 600 BTU of energy every hour. Electronic Ignition SystemsĪll of these problems are not an issue when you have a modern propane gas furnace, which uses electronic ignition instead of an old-fashioned pilot light. When this happens, a small amount of carbon monoxide can be released into your home. Pilot lights can develop problems that cause them to burn inefficiently. Here’s a process on how to inspect your pilot light flame: Take off the cover of the furnace panel which should reveal the burner assembly and the pilot. Since the pilot light needs to always remain active, your furnace is always consuming some propane-an estimated eight gallons per month.
Based on the average cost of natural gas, this comes out to about 7 to 10 per month. If you are not comfortable re-lighting the pilot, reach out to your propane service provider for assistance.Īnother pilot light disadvantage relates to energy waste. According to Anderson Fireplace, gas pilot lights use about 1,000 BTUs per hour. Common reasons include a nearby draft, dirt buildup, or a malfunctioning thermocouple. One of the biggest drawbacks to pilot lights is that they will get extinguished at times, causing you to lose your heat. There is a round knob on the gas valve with the words OFF/ON/PILOT. If have an older gas furnace, you’ll see your furnace has a little blue flame that sits in front of one of the burners.
Today’s furnaces ignite the propane gas through advanced technologies known as electronic ignition systems. But pilot lights have become outdated technology for gas-powered furnaces and most other gas-burning appliances, like water heaters, fireplaces and stoves. Many homeowners may be surprised when they find out that their furnace doesn’t have a pilot light (also known as a standing pilot or safety pilot).
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