Do Natural Gas Furnaces Have A Pilot Light?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Do natural gas furnaces have a pilot light?

Newer gas furnaces (since about 2010) do not have a traditional pilot light that burns all the time

. Instead they use electronic ignition systems that light only as needed. Constant flame or “standing pilot” heating systems are still fairly common in older homes, and they can still be repaired in most cases.

Do all natural gas furnaces have a pilot light?


Most newer furnaces have electric starters, rather than pilot lights, but they're common in older systems

. If your pilot light goes out, we highly recommend checking your 's owner's manual and following the manufacturer's instructions.

How do I know if my furnace has a pilot light?

  1. Locate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that's easily visible. …
  2. If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame.
  3. If you don't see a flame, your pilot light is out.
  4. If there is a flame, check the color.

Where is the pilot light on a natural gas furnace?

Does a gas furnace have a pilot?


Most newer gas furnace models don't have the traditional pilot light that burns continuously

. These systems come with an electric ignition system that includes either an intermittent pilot light or one lit via a hot surface ignitor instead of a pilot light.

Do Newer furnaces have a pilot light?


Newer gas furnaces (since about 2010) do not have a traditional pilot light that burns all the time

. Instead they use electronic ignition systems that light only as needed. Constant flame or “standing pilot” heating systems are still fairly common in older homes, and they can still be repaired in most cases.

Why is my furnace not kicking on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first

check if the filter is clean

. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won't start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

Why is my furnace running but no heat?


Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems

. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.

Where is the reset button on a furnace?

Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located

inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor

. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

Do all gas furnaces have a flame sensor?


Not every furnace has a flame sensor

. If your furnace has a spark ignitor and not a flame sensor rod, then that ignitor is acting as a sensor. HOW IT WORKS: The control board sends electricity to the flame sensor.

What happens if the pilot light goes out on a furnace?

If your pilot light goes out,

your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite

. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.

Should pilot light always be lit on furnace?

Should The Pilot Light Always Be On In A Gas Furnace?

Yes, if the furnace is in operation, the pilot light will need to be on for it to be functional

. However, some homeowners turn off their furnace's pilot light in the warmer seasons when the gas furnaces aren't in use.

How do you light a gas furnace manually?

How do you restart a gas furnace?

Why won't my gas heat come on?

Check the Pilot Light –

A dirty or faulty pilot light is one of the main reasons a gas furnace won't start

. Many people will leave this problem to the professionals, but if you have mechanical expertise, you may feel comfortable fixing the issue yourself.

Why is my furnace blowing cold air when the heat is on?

If your furnace is blowing cold air in your home, this is a sign of

an issue with the flame detector, gas supply, air filter, pilot light, or condensate lines

. Many of these issues are able to be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.

Where is furnace fuse located?

What does a solid red light on my furnace mean?

If your oil furnace isn't coming on, you may see a red light illuminated on the burner unit. When lit, this red light, also called a lockout light, indicates that

a safety mechanism on your furnace has caused a shutdown because it has detected a problem or recognized a fault

.

Do old gas furnaces have flame sensors?

Can't find my furnace flame sensor?

Though the flame sensor on your furnace is an important but simple part. It will look like a thin metallic rod and is set in front of the pilot flame on the interior of your furnace. Both of these parts can be located

inside of the burner assembly of your furnace which is typically in the bottom of your furnace

.

How do I know if my furnace flame sensor is bad?

  1. Yellow Burner Flames. Open up or glance through the peephole of your gas furnace to see the color of the flames firing up in the burner. …
  2. Rusted Flue Lines. …
  3. High Utility Bills. …
  4. Water Leaks. …
  5. Old Age. …
  6. Constant Thermostat Adjustments.

Will gas shut off if pilot light goes out?

If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater,

you will not have a gas leak

. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.

How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?

Is it safe if the pilot light goes out?

A pilot light may need to be re-lit from time to time after being extinguished on purpose or by accident. If it is accidentally extinguished,

there exists a danger that the gas used to keep the flame lit will continue to vent, possibly into the living space

.

Should you turn off furnace pilot light in summer?

It's a good idea to turn off your furnace during hot months. If left on, it will continue to consume energy. The furnace contains some electrical components like sensors that can needlessly draw power throughout the summer.

If your furnace has a pilot light, it will use up unnecessary gas during summer when left on

.

Is it safe to manually light a gas furnace?


Never attempt to light a furnace by a flame manually

, especially if the furnace has an electronic igniter. A furnace equipped with an electronic igniter cannot be lit manually. Call for the services of a professional heating and cooling technician when the igniter is not working properly.

Do high efficiency gas furnaces have pilot lights?

As a general rule, all AFUE 80+ high-efficiency gas furnaces have a modern design. As such,

they don't have pilot lights

.

Do all gas fireplaces have a pilot light?

It is important to remember that

not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light

, or, a pilot light that is “always on”. The best way to determine if you have this type of gas fireplace is to look at the control knob of the fireplace. On a fireplace you will normally find the control knob behind the grate or door.

Do high efficiency furnaces have a pilot light?

Do all gas furnaces have a flame sensor?

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.