Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit.
If your furnace’s pilot light won’t stay on, the furnace won’t work. Some common causes include issues with the thermocouple and pilot tube. … A faulty thermocouple may arbitrarily determine that the light is off when you want it on and vice versa. It could simply be that the thermocouple is bent.
Thereof, Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a pilot light?
Carbon monoxide is only produced when fuel of any type; oil, gas, wood or coal is burned. … And a pilot light out of adjustment can produce carbon monoxide gas. The amount produced by even a badly maladjusted pilot is small because the flame size is also small.
Also to know is, Is unlit pilot light dangerous? Even if the amount of gas leaking from the unlit pilot light isn’t enough to make you sick, it could cause an explosion if some other form of heat energy is introduced. … Nationwide Insurance cites extinguished pilot lights as one of the top fire hazards in your home.
Subsequently, question is, Are pilot lights safe? Pilot lights are still common, even though they’re a bit wasteful. … You light the gas escaping from the tube, and it burns all the time. You can see, however, that the pilot light creates a potential safety problem. If the pilot light flame were to ever blow out, the gas would keep coming out of the pilot light tube.
Also, Is it dangerous to have pilot light 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.
Are pilot lights always on?
The pilot light can be a “steady-on” pilot, or an ‘intermittent” or an electronic ignition system. The later type of pilot light is only on when the valve is open and the fireplace is operating. A millivolt valve utilizes a pilot light that is always lit.
What do you do when your pilot light goes out?
– Turn off your appliance at the power switch or thermostat.
– Find the gas valve control knob and turn it to select “pilot.”
– If pilot light controls are sticky, do not apply force or use oil. …
– Press the red button while simultaneously holding a match to the pilot burner.
What would cause a pilot light to go out?
Thermocouple Malfunction It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open. A thermocouple that is dirty or malfunctioning will often shut off your gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out and your furnace to stop working.
How much carbon monoxide does a pilot light produce?
Also, a typical pilot light can generate 450 pounds of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas — over a six-month period.
Are pilot lights supposed to stay on?
Reasons to turn off your gas fireplace pilot light: A pilot light means heat, and it also means fuel usage. That flame doesn’t stay ignited by magic – it needs gas. Which means as long as that light is on, you’re using your fuel supply to maintain it.
How much carbon monoxide does a furnace produce?
Most modern gas burning appliances will have a CO level less than 50ppm. Some high efficiency boilers will have CO levels up to 175 ppm in the flue. Older natural draft appliances may have CO levels as high as 200 ppm and be still be normal.
Should a boiler pilot light always be on?
Deciding to Turn it Off or Keep it On Turning off the pilot lights on gas fireplaces and furnaces when not in regular use can save energy and money. First, your pilot light burns gas, costing you money and potentially eating up the surrounding area.
Why does my thermocouple keep going bad?
It’s Dirty. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction.
How do you fix a pilot light that won’t stay lit?
Is it dangerous if your pilot light goes out?
Can a Pilot Light Outage Be Dangerous? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself it could result in a very serious explosion.
Do furnaces give off carbon monoxide?
Gas- and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an invisible, odorless, poison gas that kills hundreds every year and makes thousands more sick. Follow these steps to keep your family safe this winter.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace?
Electronic ignition is when the pilot light on a gas fireplace/insert/stove is only running when the fireplace is on, this means that the unit is likely to have a battery backup as well. A standing pilot is always on, always using a small amount of gas to run constantly unless the gas is physically turned off.
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