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How to Light a Gas Furnace Standing Pilot

By Bob Formisano, About.com

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Re-Lighting a Pilot: IGNITION


To actually light the pilot proceed as follows:
  • If you have a pilot with a red Reset button, turn the gas valve from "Off," to "Pilot."
  • If you have a pilot with no red button, turn the knob from "Off" to "Pilot."
  • Place the lit match or ignited lighter tip at the pilot and depress and hold the button or depress the knob as appropriate. Depress the button or knob for about 30 seconds. This maintains gas flow to the pilot until the thermocouple gets hot enough to open the main gas valve.
  • Once the pilot stays lit, slowly release the button or knob and turn the gas cock or knob from the "Pilot" position to the "On" position. This will ignite the burners and keep the flow of gas supplied as required for the burners as called for by the thermostat.
  • If the burners fail to ignite then it may be because the thermocouple did not get hot enough to open the gas valve. Wait a few minutes and then repeat the above procedure. This time hold the red reset button or depress the knob for about 45-60 seconds.
  • Once the main furnace burners ignite, adjust the thermostat to the desired setting.

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