We often forget how much we rely upon the mechanical infrastructure of our homes. It usually takes some unanticipated calamity to remind us of how fortunate we really are. There is nothing like a good blizzard or hurricane to remind us of how nice it is to have amenities such as electric lights and temperature controlled houses to live in.
At times, however, it does not take a natural disaster to deprive us of a warm house. Something as simple as a temperamental pilot light can turn the heat off when it is most needed. Here are a couple of ways in which pilot lights can fail:
- Furnaces require a vent pipe that goes up through the roof. At times, a heavy or gusty wind can blast down this pipe and snuff out the pilot light somewhat like a child blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. If this happens a lot, fitting a small secondary wind shield on the vent pipe can sometimes make the problem disappear.
- Like all other mechanical parts, pilot lights get old. The constant flame from the pilot light burns away the metallic core of the furnace’s thermocoupling a little at a time. Over decades, this can cause the thermocoupling to fail, which in turn automatically shuts off the gas supply to the furnace. Replacing the old thermocoupling with a new one should cure this.
- Particularly with propane furnaces, faulty gas regulators can cause the gas supply to ebb and flow. Improperly functioning regulators can freeze or cause gas supply surges that cause the pilot light to extinguish itself.
As you can see, there are a number of ways in which a pilot light can fail. A good, licensed mechanical contractor can quickly assess the situation and perform the necessary repairs at a minimal cost while ensuring the safety of the family in the home. Yet the best solution for an aging furnace with a balky pilot light is to look into the convenience and cost savings of a brand new energy-efficient furnace.
Not only do new furnaces provide much more heat while using much less gas, they also eliminate the pilot light completely. The beauty of the new design is that you do not have to keep your pilot light burning expensive natural gas or propane all summer long just in case it gets cold at night. The new systems are always ready to go but never burn an ounce of gas until they switch on. They are much safer, are better for the environment, and pay for themselves with the savings in utility costs.