How to Ignite a Gas Heater
Gas heaters are a modern type of equipment in homes today. These units are designed to heat the forced air into your home so you can maintain a comfortable climate. A downside to gas heaters is the pilot light has a tendency of going out due to strong winds. Although it might seem like a complicated task, you can ignite the pilot light in your gas heater yourself.
Things You’ll Need:
- Flat head or Phillips screwdriver
- Long tip lighter
- Use a flat head or Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screw securing the front gate covering the pilot light. Look for the thermostat knob and turn it to at least 75 degrees. This should be a sufficient amount of heat; but if not, set the thermostat higher to compensate for a higher temperature.
- Look for the pilot valve box; turn the gas cock setting to “Off.” Once the gas has been turned off, wait for at least five minutes for any leftover gas to leave the pilot valve box.
- Look to see if your pilot light has a red “Reset” button; if it does turn your gas valve to the “Pilot” setting. Turn the pilot light knob to the “Pilot” position if no red “Reset” button is present as well.
- Depress the red “Reset” button on the pilot; or turn the pilot light knob to the “Pilot” position. Hold the button or the knob at the “Pilot” setting for at least 30 seconds. This allows the gas fumes to surround the pilot and when the thermocouple of the pilot valve box reaches the correct temperature, the gas valve will open.
- Insert a long tip lighter into the pilot valve box and depress the lighter trigger or button to light the pilot. Once the pilot light has been lit properly, let go of the red “Reset” button or turn the pilot light knob to “On.” Once the gas supply has been set to on, the pilot light will remain lit.
- Use a flat head screwdriver or Phillips head to tighten the screws back into the pilot light cover plate. You can now set the temperature to the setting you would like.