How to Relight and Troubleshoot Your Gas Furnace
A pilot light system is an essential component of a gas heating system. There are many different types of ignition systems today. Here are some tips on how to relight your furnace and troubleshoot the pilot light. Standing vs. Automatic Ignition Furnace Before relighting, it is essential to understand the type of ignition system in your furnace. The two main categories are electronic and the standing pilot light. The standing pilot light is often found in equipment made before the 1990s. The pilot will burn for as long as it detects heat from the pilot light. When the flame goes out, a safety mechanism shuts off the gas supply. Since the pilot light has to burn round the clock, it requires a continuous gas supply to keep the flame lit. Estimates suggest it can consume up to 800 BTU/hour, which amounts to hundreds of dollars in utility bills. A standing pilot light is more practical for places with colder climates. St. Louis experiences freezing weather for three months every year. Therefore, it is more convenient to keep the flame lit. But in warmer weather, the pilot light will be on when no heating is required. That means it will waste...
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