What happens if the pilot light goes out on a furnace

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard, and requiring immediate repair.

Why would the pilot light go out on my furnace?

Thermocouple Malfunction The thermocouple on your heating system is a safety device that determines whether or not your furnace pilot light is lit. … 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.

Is it bad if the pilot light goes out?

A pilot light is a small flame that is built into your gas heating appliances, such as a furnace or water heater. … If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking.

How do I know if my furnace pilot light is out?

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

Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?

Since the thermocouple regulates gas going to the pilot, it should cut off on its own if the pilot ever goes out, but that’s only if it’s functioning correctly. If the thermocouple isn’t working properly, then it’s possible that it’s allowing gas to leak into the very room where the heater is located.

How much does it cost to leave a gas pilot light on?

Running a pilot light for 1 hour costs about 1 cent (0.62 cent/hour for natural gas and 1.64 cent/hour for propane). Monthly costs of running a pilot light range from $4.49/month (natural gas) to $11.34/month (propane).

How much does it cost to run a pilot light on a furnace?

A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit and used as a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on. Natural gas is $0.60 a day, which is $219 a year, and is the average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light. $657 a year is how much liquid propane is.

Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?

Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.

Does pilot light affect heater?

A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit in certain gas-fired appliances like your furnace, water heater, and gas fireplace. When you turn on your appliance, gas is released to the main burner and the pilot light ignites that gas to turn on your appliance and provide heat.

Can a pilot light be replaced?

If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. … Read on to learn how to light a pilot light.

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Does a pilot light produce carbon monoxide?

A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

Should you smell gas after lighting pilot?

If you think you smell gas and you have gas utilities, be safe. … Note that it is totally normal on automatic pilots (pilots that do NOT stay lit all the time) to smell a little natural gas when the are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.

Does a pilot light burn a lot of gas?

Just how much gas does a pilot light consume? Most pilot lights will consume about 600 BTU’s of gas/hour. With 24 hours in a day, that’s roughly 14,400/BTU’s each day. Figuring 30 days, a pilot light will use approximately 432,000 BTU each month.

Can a pilot light leak gas?

When the pilot light goes out, it does not leak carbon monoxide gas. … Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds.