How to Relight a Gas Furnace

Modern furnaces do not use visible pilot lights as a means of relighting. Utilizing an electronic ignition system instead, the majority of older gas furnaces have pilot lights that will burn out on occasion. When these gas furnaces burn out, there are a few easy steps to follow in order to have a successful relighting.

Instructions

1. Find your utility box, and turn the main gas valve off. Once you have the gas turned off at the main valve, you should not smell your natural gas at all.

2. Wait for about 10 minutes as the gas fumes dissipate.

3. Get a fireplace match or other long lighting tool. Regular matches are not recommended.

4. Set the gas valve to "pilot."

5. Hold your flame to the pilot light, and press the red button. Keep pressing the button for about 30 to 60 seconds. Release the button, and check to see if the pilot light stays lit.

6. If the pilot light does not stay lit, wait about 10 minutes and repeat the above steps.

7. Once the pilot light remains lit, head back to your utility box and turn the main gas valve back on.

Tips & Warnings

• Give the fumes plenty of time to dissipate. After all, you want to light the pilot light not yourself.

• Find a source for lighting that will allow your hand to remain far enough from the source.

• Be careful to keep your face facing away from the gas line as you're lighting it. If you have the gas turned out too greatly, you might cause a small burst of flame as you're lighting your pilot.