Why Does My Furnace Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

If your furnace pilot light keeps going out in your gas furnace, there may be various culprits behind this issue.  This type of issue may be inconvenient when you’re getting ready for work or entertaining guests on the weekend.  Are you getting sick of constantly relighting your pilot light in the winter? Let’s get to the source of the issue.

Why Won’t My Furnace Pilot Light Stay Lit?

Malfunctioning Thermocouple

If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, it’s likely you have a broken thermocouple in your gas furnace. The thermocouple is a rod that comes into physical contact with the flame in your system. This component will deactivates the gas when the pilot light goes out. There are various instances that may cause the thermocouple to not detect the flame in your gas furnace. When this component is not able to detect the flame, it will close the gas valve to prevent a gas leak in your home. There are various issues that may be the culprit to why your furnace pilot light won’t stay lit.

Dirt Buildup on the Thermocouple

As the gas furnace in your home ages, dirt and grime will form on the thermocouple of your system. If this layer of soot becomes thick enough, it will prevent the thermocouple from coming into direct contact with the flame. If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, our team of HVAC technicians and licensed plumbers recommends detaching the thermocouple from the furnace and cleaning it to remove the dirt. If this does not eliminate the issue, you may need to replace the component with a new one. If you need assistance replacing a thermocouple in your gas furnace, give our team a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 to receive assistance. Our team of licensed plumbers and HVAC technicians offer gas furnace repair and installation services to homes in New Jersey.

Thermocouple is Bent or Deformed

It is normal for the thermocouple in your gas furnace to become bent, broken, or deformed as your furnace becomes older. To ensure the thermocouple doesn’t deactivate the gas valve, the pilot light is required to completely surround the thermocouple. Once the thermocouple detects the flame, it opens the gas valve to produce heat for your home. If the furnace pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple may be deformed or bent. As a result, a small portion of the thermocouple may be prevented from coming into physical contact with the flame. This is a common cause of pilot light deactivation issues.

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Issues With the Pilot Orifice

If the pilot light in your furnace is able to be ignited for a couple of minutes prior to being burned out, it is possible that soot and grime have formed within the pilot orifice. When the pilot light is working sufficiently, it will produce an extremely hot blue flame to heat your home. If your gas furnace is producing a yellow flame, remove the pilot orifice from your furnace and utilize tweezers, a can of air, or another small tool to eliminate the obstruction. If the furnace pilot light keeps going out after cleaning the orifice, give us a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 or schedule an appointment online to receive assistance with a gas furnace repair project. Our team of licensed plumbers and technicians also offer plumbing repair and electrical maintenance services to residents in New Jerssey.

Broken or Old Gas Regulator Outside Your Home

All homes that feature gas appliances are required to have a gas meter installed outside of the home. This meter is usually installed on the side of your home in an out of sight location. Each meter features a gas regulator that is in charge of pushing gas into your home to your appliances. If there is an issue with the gas regulator, this will be the reason your furnace pilot light won’t stay lit. If the pilot light is continuously deactivating, your home isn’t receiving enough gas to activate the flame. If you’re also having issues with your gas oven in your house, this is an indicator of a malfunctioning gas regulator.

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Wind May Cause Your Flame to Burn Out

The furnace pilot light may keep going out in your home due to a wind draft from your ventilation system. If your HVAC system isn’t airtight and windy weather comes to town, a strong gust could create a breeze all the way through the vents to your furnace. You’ll want to make sure that your ventilation system is closed everywhere it needs to be, and check for drafts inside your home.

Gas Supply Usage In Your Area May Be At Maximum Capacity

When the gas consumption rates in a given area reach maximum levels, the public supply system may be affected. This will cause the incoming gas pressure to drop for a limited period of time to your home. This drop in pressure is likely the reason your furnace pilot light won’t stay lit. We recommend contacting a representative from your natural gas supply company to confirm usage levels in your area.

Gas Furnace Repair & Installation Services in New Jersey

Our team provides gas furnace repair and installation services in areas of New Jersey such as Elizabeth, Trenton, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, and Tom’s River. You can address any one of these issues in a variety of ways, but there’s only one solution that works every time: calling our team of professionals. Forget the days of fixing your furnace pilot light every other day. Our team will conduct an inspection of your heating or electrical system to confirm the issue and component that is causing the furnace pilot light to continuously go out. Our team also offers HVAC services such as air conditioning repair, installation, and tune-up for homes. Our staff of certified HVAC technicians and plumbers offer heating and air conditioning services in areas of New Jersey such as Freehold, Trenton,  Old Bridge, and Jackson. Give us a call today and stay warm in New Jersey.