Why Your Pennsylvania Furnace Has a Weak Pilot Flame

You may have sometimes noticed that your furnace is running and the blower motor is moving air, but you still crave warmth. It means it is not warm air. You check core components, fuel delivery, or the system, but the culprit is a very small part: the pilot flame. The pilot light can go out for multiple reasons. Finding the exact reason and fixing it instantly can restore comfort in your PA home. Before the technician arrives, taking immediate action can at least prevent more harm. It also helps the technician fix the core cause.

This blog covers the causes of a weak pilot flame in a residential furnace. It also covers the steps to fix this problem.

What is a Furnace Pilot Light and How Does It Work

A pilot light is a small, continuously burning flame in a furnace. It ignites the actual burner flame. When this small flame is out, the gas doesn’t burn and provide the heating for warm air. Modern furnaces have a safety valve that cuts the fuel supply automatically when it detects the pilot light has gone out.

Common Reasons for a Weak Pilot Light

 The reasons behind a pilot light that goes out are diverse. Some of them are mentioned here.

Clogged Pilot Orifice

Dust, soot, or debris can accumulate in the tiny orifice from which gas comes out and ignites the flame. When the orifice becomes small, the pilot light becomes weak and flickering.

Blocked Pilot Tube

If the supply tube to the pilot flame is bent or partially obstructed, it supplies less fuel to the flame. The result is a weak flame that fails to ignite the burner.

Damaged Thermocouple

A thermocouple is a safety device that decides whether to light the pilot flame. If this metal rod is bent, corroded, or damaged, the flame is not of the intensity to ignite the burner. With partial damage, the flame is weak instead of being completely absent.

Low Gas Pressure

A weak pilot is not always due to a furnace component itself. Sometimes the issue is outside the furnace. Especially if the gas pressure in the gas line is low, the supply to the flame is limited, resulting in a weak flame.

Airflow Issues

If airflow from doors or windows is in direct contact with the furnace pilot light, it can cause a weak flame. If the airflow is much stronger, it can blow out the flame completely.

How to Restore Normal Pilot Flame in Your Furnace

With careful monitoring and the right strategy, you can bring back the flame to its original, strong position. Here is what Lehigh HVAC recommends doing in this case.

• Turn off the furnace and the gas control valve, then wait at least five minutes for any gas to clear safely.
• Clean the pilot light orifice with compressed air or a thin wire to remove accumulated dirt and soot that restricts gas flow.
• Inspect the pilot flame adjustment screw on the gas valve and turn it slowly with a screwdriver to increase the flame size if it is manually adjustable.
• Clean the thermocouple tip using light sandpaper or a cloth to remove carbon buildup that prevents it from registering the heat properly.
• Adjust the thermocouple position so its tip sits directly within the flame.
• Turn the gas control valve back to the pilot setting, press the reset button, and light the flame with a long lighter.
• Hold the reset button down for thirty to sixty seconds after ignition to give the thermocouple enough time to heat up and keep the valve open.
• Release the reset button slowly and confirm the flame stays lit, then turn the gas valve to the on position.

Keep Your Residential Furnace Working At Its Best

If these steps don’t work, book a professional service. Call Lehigh HVAC at 484-961-7044. Certified technicians will visit at your convenience, inspect the issue, and fix it accurately. You also get complete guidance to prevent such issues in the future.