Nothing is worse than waking up in the middle of the winter to find that your furnace has gone out, leaving you and your home cold and uncomfortable. If this happens to you, don’t worry! You can easily relight your furnace by following a few simple steps. At Air Rescue, we want to ensure you stay safe while performing this task, so here are a few tips on relighting your furnace safely.
Check for Gas Leaks
Before doing anything else, it’s essential to check for gas leaks. To do so, turn off all the gas valves leading into the furnace and remove the access panel from the front of the unit. Don’t try to light your furnace if you smell a gas odor from inside the unit or near any of the connections. Instead, call a professional for help.
Make Sure Pilot Lights Are Off
Before attempting to light your pilot lights, make sure that they are turned off. If they are already lit when you open up your furnace panel, they may have been lit improperly and could be dangerous. To turn them off, locate the pilot valve switch near each burner and turn it counterclockwise until it stops turning. Once all pilot lights are off, proceed with caution when relighting them.
Relighting the Pilot Lights
Now that everything is ready to go, carefully follow these steps:
- Turn both gas valves back on (one at a time).
- Hold down both reset buttons for about one minute each (the reset buttons should be located near each burner). This will allow any built-up gas pressure inside the system to dissipate before lighting. Make sure to release both buttons only after both have been held down for one full minute each.
- Use a long match or lighter and ignite each pilot light one at a time while holding down its respective reset button until it stays lit steadily (it usually takes about 30 seconds).
- Once all pilot lights have been lit successfully and remain lit after being reset, replace all access panels onto your furnace unit before turning it back on at its main power switch location (usually found near where your thermostat is located).
Relighting your furnace isn’t as difficult as it may seem! By following these simple steps from Air Rescue in preparation for lighting your unit’s pilot lights—checking for gas leaks, and ensuring pilot lights are off before attempting to relight them—you can ensure that relighting goes smoothly and safely every time!
If you have questions about your HVAC system or want to schedule a maintenance appointment, contact Air Rescue today! We would be happy to help you find the perfect solution for your needs.