What is the pilot light of a furnace?

Answer 1

The small flame that is always burning next to the burners. Follow the small tube and bare copper from the valve directly to the pilot light...

Answer 2

Underneath a gas furnace the pilot light shows up as a flame. If you look underneath the furnace, right near the floor, and don't see the light it will have to be re-lighted; but a person should ask someone who knows how to re-light it. When the pilot light is out not only will the furnace not work but gas is escaping. Sometiimes if you smell gas the reason could be that the pilot light went out. There's no mistaking it - its a mostly blue, low, flame.

Answer 3

the pilot light is what ignites the furnace when the thermostat calls for heat. It's a small flame that burns constantly near the burner tubes. The pilot light heats the thermocouple so when the thermostat calls for heat, the thermocouple allows the gas valve to open because the thermocouple is sensing a flame. The gas valve will open, the pilot will light the gas in the burn chamber, voila, you have heat.

If you're pilot light is not lit, it may have just blown out, the pilot burner tube may be plugged, or you have a bad gas valve.

Answer 4

The pilot light is a gas flame or electrical arc that will light the furnace automatically when the thermostat calls for it. Usually on older models it's a small flame that stays on and heats a thermocouple that lets the valve stay open so the flame stays lit. If it goes out, the valve is automatically shut so the gas cannot leak and cause a fire or explosion.

Answer 5

You might not have a pilot light in your furnace. Some, especially the newer models to conserve energy have gone to electric ignitions. You can hear them "click" when they turn on.

Answer 6

are you sure you are supposed to have a standing pilot? is it possible you have electronic ignition?