Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Long match sticks
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Step 1
Verify gas is turned on to your home. Check the gas meter on the outside of your home. Look in the sight glass window on the meter where you will see a silver ball if the gas is on or a red window if it is not. If the window is red you will then need to contact your local gas company to activate your residence.
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Step 2
Check that power is applied to the gas heater. If your gas heater suddenly stopped working from a power interruption, check the circuit beaker box. Also, verify that the GFIC has not tripped on the power outlet that the gas heater is connected to. The GFIC is the ground fault interrupt circuit located on the face of the outlet. If it is tripped reset it.
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Step 3
Open the access panel on the front of the heater. Using a screwdriver remove the screws holding the front panel in place. Once the panel is removed reset the red switches located in its interior. There are usually four switches, including two in the front and two in the back.
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Step 4
Locate and light the gas pilot. The pilot light is an electronic ignition as found in most modern furnaces or a manual gas ignition common to older furnaces. Electronic ignitions will start automatically when you start the furnace, at the thermostat, inside of the home. For a manual gas ignition, depress the gas valve and press the ignite switch repeatedly until the pilot lights. To light an older furnace, find the gas valve and turn it to pilot and depress. Light a long match stick and place it near the pilot. Hold down the gas switch for 30 seconds to ensure that the furnace stays lit. Rotate the gas valve to the on position.
