How do you light the pilot on an old boiler?
Turn the gas control knob to the “pilot” position, then press down on the knob. Pressing down on the knob will release gas into the pilot light orifice. Insert a lit fireplace match or a butane candle lighter into the access hole and light the pilot light. Keep holding down the control knob button as you do this.
What causes pilot light to go out on boiler?
Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. Common thermocouple problems include: Dirt/soot on the thermocouple– Any buildup on the thermocouple can block the flame, preventing it from being properly heated.
Should the pilot light always be on in a boiler?
The pilot light is the blue flame that always stays lit under your boiler. When heat is required, the pilot light will inflame that gas and send it to the burners. The pilot light must always stay on or gas will easily escape. If the pilot light keeps turning off, then your boiler is not working.
Where is the pilot light on a gas boiler?
The blue flame will remain lit. Keep the pilot light button pressed down for another 30 to 45 seconds. This action will open up the thermocoupling at the end of the pilot light orifice tube that is inside of the gas control knob box.
Why is my old pilot light wasting gas?
This is because back when your boiler was likely fitted, energy efficiency was not considered as much as it is now, and gas was much cheaper. Since boilers with pilot lights are likely to be at least 20 years old, it will probably also have poor controls and could be using gravity fed hot water.
What does it mean when your boiler pilot light is yellow?
If your boiler pilot light is burning yellow, this could mean that the gas-to-air mix in the gas boiler is wrong and too much air is going into the system. Other signs to look for as well as a yellow pilot light, is whether there’s any soot or staining around the boiler itself, or you’ve noticed condensation in the room or a fumy smell.
When to call a service technician for a boiler pilot light?
If the clicking noise does not abate after 30 seconds, or the clicking noise stops but there still is no pilot light, there is a problem and a service technician must be called. If you still smell gas after venting the area where the boiler resides, turn off the gas and call in a service technician.
Do you need to relight pilot light on boiler?
First things first, ensure you turn your gas control valve is turned to ‘off,’ not ‘on’ or ‘pilot’ this will prevent the gas building up and becoming dangerous if anything more serious is wrong. Then you need to work out whether you need to relight the pilot light yourself or if you need a Gas Safe Engineer. Read on to find out more.
How old is your pilot light wasting gas?
If you’re worried about your old pilot light wasting gas, you have good reason. Most boilers with continuous pilot lights are at least 20 years old, and tend to be very inefficient systems. The pilot light running constantly could be costing you an extra £90 per year.
If the clicking noise does not abate after 30 seconds, or the clicking noise stops but there still is no pilot light, there is a problem and a service technician must be called. If you still smell gas after venting the area where the boiler resides, turn off the gas and call in a service technician.
What to do if your pilot light keeps turning off?
If your pilot light keeps turning off, do not try to repair/replace this yourself. This would require taking off the boiler casing, which is illegal unless you are registered with the Gas Safe Register. Instead, first check that your other gas appliances are working correctly. If they are not, the issue might be with the gas supply itself.
