How to light a gas heater?

Question

I just moved into an apartment with this old gas heater that is so difficult to start. There are no instructions besides "turn all valves to off position. Wait for 5 min. Apply lighted match to pilot at the bottom of firebox. If equipped with manual reset safety valve, turn knob to pilot position and depress button or turn knob hard left aginst the stop until pilot remains lighted when released".

I turned the knob into pilot position, and while keeping it pressed, put the match to all sorts of places near the pilot- nothing happened. Actually I didn't see any holes through which the light from the match could start the ignition.

Did anyone have experience with one of those? The model is "Holly Del Mar". There is this large rectangular heating section on the wall, the pilot box is at the bottom.

Answer 1

Do you know if the heater worked before you moved in?? Maybe it's been broke for a while. If it did work and it looks to be in decent shape, then it's possible you aren't getting the match near the right place. It's also possible that there may be another valve in the line, (actually there is supposed to be another valve), besides the saftety valve on the unit, that shuts off the gas to the thing completely. That may be closed. If it is, no amount of fooling around with the saftety valve is going to get it to light. If you can find such a valve, it will usually have a red handle, or knob, that will be turned to a 90 degree angle, (crossways), to the pipe it's installed in. If it is in that position, then it's off, turn it so it's in line with the pipe and then try to light the pilot. If you've held down the pilot button for at least a minute and don't smell some gas down by the pilot area, then the gas is most likely turned off, or the saftety valve is no good.

Answer 2

the easiest answer I could say to try is to get a fireplace match (really long match) and light the stove with it by turning the stove on low and holding it. Sometimes if you light a stove it will catch the pilot light as well. Try that, and then turn the stove to pilot check the pilot light below to see if it is still burning. If it is not...then pull the cover off the box and look for a little copper tube with a pinhole in the end of it. ( this is the pilot light). Turn the stove off, wait the recomended time and turn to pilot. hold the fireplace match near this hole for approx. 60 seconds to see if it lights. If it does you are in business and the stove should start if you turn it on by using the pilot. If the pilot does not light, call the gas company. Most will send someone out for free or for a small amount to light your business and check your pilots.

Answer 3

ok I do not like gas but have a gas heater and stove in my place, got to feelling ok with the stove, but not the heater, Gas companys do not come out to look at anything, you have to pay for a gas business to send you someone. So if your renting I would suggest you phone the landlord. Anyway I haveing the gas one removed I feel safer with the electrical,

Answer 4

Yep, I'm with Mahree...Gall the gas company to have them come light it.

We had to have ours re-lit this season...The nice gas man came out and lit it for no charge.

Much better than blowing the house to smithereens!

Answer 5

Call the gas & electric company....they'll come out and make sure it's clean and stuff and functioning properly....they should be able to help you light it....you don't want to blow up your new home.

Answer 6

Call the gas company, especially since its old. You don't want it to blow up. Let the professionals connect it for you.

Answer 7

WITH A FREAKEN LIGHTER