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Furnace Pilot Light Not Working or Igniter Failing in Calgary

The igniter and the pilot sit in the burner area, which is work for a professional, so this page gives no relighting steps. If you smell gas, don't relight anything: get out and call from outside.

Call 587-880-3103

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A local furnace technician will call you back as soon as possible. If this can't wait, call other furnace technicians too.

What to do right now

  1. Smell gas? Don't light anything

    If you smell gas, don't relight anything. Get out and call from outside. Once you're clear of the house, call 911 and ATCO's emergency line, 1-800-511-3447.

  2. Find out which kind of ignition you have

    Not every furnace has a pilot. Trane's guide for one of its furnaces says that model has none: an ignition device lights the burner automatically, and the guide says not to light the burner by hand. Your furnace's label or manual is where to look. Look only; don't open anything.

  3. Run the basic checks

    Thermostat on Heat and set above room temperature. Furnace switch on. Breaker not tripped (reset it once only). Front door shut. Filter clean. The furnace won't turn on page has the details.

  4. Treat a pilot that keeps going out as a warning

    Calgary Fire lists a pilot light that keeps going out among the warning signs of carbon monoxide in a home. If a CO alarm sounds or anyone feels unwell, leave and call 911 from outside.

  5. If you have a standing pilot

    If your furnace has a standing pilot, leave relighting to a professional.

    If the pilot went out because your gas supply was off, don't relight it. ATCO says to wait for instructions from an ATCO technician.

    Don't open the burner area or touch the gas valve.

  6. Leave the parts to a professional

    The igniter, flame sensor, thermocouple and pilot assembly are technician work. Carrier calls the igniter delicate and high-voltage, and says homeowners should avoid touching it.

Glowing electric heater element in a dark setting.
A glowing heating element.

Furnace ignitor vs pilot light: what is happening

Some furnaces have a standing pilot, a small flame that stays lit to light the burner; Carrier describes these as older. Others have no pilot at all. In Trane's words, an ignition device lights the burner automatically.

Whichever kind you have, no flame at the burner means no heat.

Furnace pilot light keeps going out: when it's an emergency

  • Gas smell: don't light anything. Get out, then call 911 and ATCO from outside.
  • CO alarm, or headaches, nausea or dizziness at home: get out and call 911.
  • A pilot that keeps going out, with stale or stuffy air, heavy moisture on windows and walls, or soot around vents: Calgary Fire lists all of these as warning signs of carbon monoxide. Get out and call 911.

ATCO also suggests looking at your furnace flame once a month. It should be a clear blue. ATCO says to call a qualified technician if you see a yellow flame.

Furnace igniter not working: what a professional does

What the repair involves is the technician's call, made with the furnace open. Carrier says pilot assembly repairs are best handled by a professional. Alberta lists gasfitting as a compulsory certification trade, so ask any pro whether they hold an Alberta trade certificate, and which one, before work starts.

Questions

Does my furnace have a pilot light?

Not necessarily. Trane's guide for one of its 95% furnaces says that model has no pilot: an ignition device lights the burner automatically, and it must not be lit by hand. The label or manual on your own furnace will tell you which kind it is.

Why does my furnace igniter glow but there is no flame?

That can't be diagnosed from a web page, and the parts involved aren't ones to handle. Carrier says gas, combustion and electrical parts are for a qualified technician. Don't open the burner area. If you smell gas, get out and call from outside.

Is a furnace pilot light that is out dangerous?

It can be a sign of trouble. Calgary Fire counts a pilot light that keeps going out as one warning sign of carbon monoxide. If your CO alarm sounds or anyone feels unwell, get out and call 911.

If the pilot went out because the gas supply stopped, ATCO's instruction is not to relight it yourself.

My furnace pilot light smells like gas. What should I do?

Get everyone out of the building now. Leave lights and appliances alone on the way out. Once you're outside, call 911. For a gas smell, also call ATCO's gas emergency line: 1-800-511-3447. Stay out until the fire department or ATCO says it's safe.

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Call 587-880-3103

Calls are answered by an automated assistant and transcribed.