How to Turn on the Pilot Light in a Gas Fireplace?
A pilot light is a little flame that burns at the ready to ignite your gas-powered appliances, such as your gas fireplace or water heater. While your pilot may not be the most interesting thing in your house, it can cause problems if it isn’t on or if the pilot goes out. The pilot light is usually found in the back of your gas fireplace and if it’s gone out it can make it difficult to light the fire.
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There are a few different ways to start the pilot light, depending on your model and how you control the gas. Some models require a remote, metal key, or switch to turn the gas on.
If your gas fireplace does not have a remote or key, you can still light the pilot using a lighter or by pressing a button. The process will vary from fireplace to fireplace so it’s important to refer to your owner’s manual or call a professional before doing this.
First, find the pilot control knob and make sure it is set to ‘PILOT’. This is usually highlighted by a red piezo button on the control knob, or by some kind of symbol (ours says ‘Spark’).
Next, press the button and hold a match or long-barreled lighter near the end of the pilot tubing. Once it starts to glow, continue to hold the button for 60 seconds.
Once the pilot is lit, slowly release the control knob and turn it to ‘ON’. If the pilot does not come on after this, return to step 1 and try again. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your local Vancouver gas fireplace service company for a technician to come out and light it for you.
If the pilot light does not light, try adjusting the gas valve knob to the ‘PILOT’ position again. If it doesn’t go back on, you probably have a defective thermocouple that needs to be replaced by a professional.
Another way to light the pilot is to place a match or long-barreled light near the end of the pilot tube and press the button until it sparks. This can be harder to do in some fireplaces, so consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions or use a video tutorial like this one.
You can also turn the gas valve knob to ‘PILOT’, press the ignition switch nearby, and repeatedly click it until the pilot lights. Once it does, you can remove the control knob and turn the gas valve to ‘ON’.
If your gas fireplace doesn’t have a manual, check the manufacturer’s website or call the company for help with this step. In our experience, most gas fireplaces are fairly easy to light with a match or lighter.
A few older fireplaces, however, have dials with a spark symbol or wording on them and the process of lighting the pilot may require a few more steps. It’s important to seek guidance from the manual and not overdo it or risk damaging the controls.