Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out in Concord, NC?

When the temperatures drop outside, you’ll want to keep your home in Concord, NC warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, you’ll have trouble with that if the pilot light on your heater keeps going out. The pilot light may not work due to a broken thermocouple, problems with the gas flow, a dirty pilot orifice or a draft.

Malfunctioning Thermocouple

The thermocouple shuts off the furnace’s gas valve whenever it detects that the pilot light has gone out. When functioning correctly, it acts as a safety mechanism. However, an old, dirty or damaged thermocouple may mistakenly turn off the gas valve at the wrong time, causing the it to go out.

Gas Supply Issue

A furnace requires a steady flow of gas to run. If your home’s gas regulator doesn’t work properly, your furnace and other gas appliances will have difficulty since they won’t have an adequate amount of fuel. A bad gas regulator could even result in it going out.

Dirty Pilot Orifice

The pilot orifice usually allows the right amount of gas to flow to the pilot light. If that orifice gets dirty, less gas may pass through, resulting in a weak flame or no flame at all.

Draft

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, a draft might be the culprit. You may be able to determine the origin of the draft, which could be an open window or an improper seal on a door or window. Also, a leak in the output duct of the furnace may create a draft, so consider having an HVAC technician inspect your system.

A problem with the thermocouple, gas supply, pilot orifice or a draft can lead to a pilot light that frequently goes out. If you have any concerns, reach out for professional assistance. Contact Dulin Mechanical Services, Inc. to schedule a furnace repair appointment in Concord, NC.

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