Have you ever wondered what the pilot light function of the Goodman furnace is and how much importance it has on the Goodman furnace?
Since the Goodman models are widely known, you may ask. But do all Goodman furnaces have pilot lights?
Goodman furnaces are gas-powered. The pilot light option is at the front panel, which lies directly in front of the heat exchanger. However, before you can access the light, you may need to disassemble the front panel, especially in emergency cases where you may require a manual operation on the pilot light if the light goes out.
How To Light a Goodman Furnace Pilot Light?
The following steps can carry out the relighting process on the Goodman furnace pilot.
#1. Step 1
The location stickers or labels on the furnace are often the first pointers with detailed descriptions on how to light your furnace.
Unfortunately, the labels are not always adequate or reliable because you may install a Goodman furnace in dark areas where reading the stickers on them becomes problematic.
You can also consider removing the stickers at an early stage for safekeeping so that they can better serve you on days when you need them the most.
#2. Step 2
At the rare end of the furnace, there is usually a switch with the ON and OFF sign. Please turn it OFF and allow it to rest for five to ten minutes max.
After which, you can go ahead to turn it on again. Then wait for five to 10 minutes. The pause helps to give off residual gasses to tackle the risk of a fire hazard better.
#3. Step 3
After confirming that the residual gas is out, you can now go ahead to press the “pilot” option and hold down the reset button.
Next, use a lighter and ignited match stick or light-rolled paper to light up the tip of the furnace where gas is released.
Please note that after implementing these procedures at least a minimum of two times, yet you still find your furnace tripping OFF inappropriately, do well to consult a professional for help and tips on what to do next.
You can also have them run some checks and probably ascertain a more permanent solution to the issue.
Secondly, attempting to light up a furnace can be extremely dangerous, especially if you do not turn off the burners first before doing so.
Fixing a defective furnace is not your job. Allow the professionals to handle that. They know better how the Goodman furnace pilot light and gas work than you do.
Do not risk a health or fire hazard by working on the furnace yourself.
How Do I Know If My Gas Furnace Has a Pilot Light?
The position of the pilot light on your gas furnace may differ depending on the model you use. A newer gas furnace model varies in various functions, sizes, and features.
Older gas furnace models have the same pilot lights as other heating equipment such as water heaters, gas fireplaces, and old gas-powered stoves.
If your furnace has one of the ON, OFF, and round knob Pilot options, you own a standing pilot ignition. There are so many challenges that may arise from owning a furnace with pilot lights.
For instance, pilot lights are prone to develop faults due to dirt and debris buildup and even a faulty thermostat or thermocouple.
Pilot lights on furnaces are one of the major consumers of gas. They are always on, which means the gas is also constantly on.
As they burn, they give off the gas in very minute quantities, accumulating after some time. In other words, you can say that pilot lights cause energy wastage.
Furthermore, as the gas gets released, it circulates carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, causing a health hazard. Therefore, the manual lighting processes require high caution and care.
A modern furnace has electronic ignitions to replace pilot lights due to the many disadvantages of using one.
If you own a modern furnace, you will notice that it has a small electrical device known as the hot surfaces igniter.
The igniter is responsible for receiving and dispensing electrical heat to the thermostat. In addition, the igniter has an automated system regulating the ON and OFF options by powering itself up when necessary.
Other modern furnaces have the intermittent pilot light—the pilot light functions by igniting the burners through an electronic spark.
However, the intermittent pilot light saves energy and uses flames for ignitions.
| Old Furnace | Modern Furnace |
|---|---|
| Have Pilot lights, ON and OFF options | Electronic ignitions and intermittent pilot light |
| Uses Long lighters and match sticks for ignition | Uses self-operating hot surface igniters and lighters |
| Cause Energy wastage | Conserves energy and gas |
| It gives off carbon monoxide gas | Use electrical sparks |
What Does a Furnace Pilot Light Look Like?
The ideal color of a furnace pilot light is Blue mainly because it uses gas. The gas furnace pilot light burns out, giving a blue color and yellowish tips.
Nevertheless, propane-fueled burners also have blue flames. However, any color aside indicates a problem and should be dealt with promptly.
For example, a bluish-green flame suggests dirt, rust, and dust on the furnace. Let’s go through the flames on gas furnaces and what they mean without further ado.
#1. Blue flames
A properly functioning furnace pilot light has blue flames with yellow tips that cover about a half-inch of the thermocouple.
#2. Blue And Noisy Flames
A blue flame is perfectly okay for a burner; however, when it makes so much noise, it suggests that the flame is either too much or improperly listed, which may trip off the thermocouple.
#3. Flickering Flames
The presence of drafts, dirt, and dust on the burners causes most wavering flames, especially if the furnace’s cover panel is kept open or bare.
#4. Weak Yellow
A pale yellow-colored flame indicates the absence of adequate heat from the thermostat or even raises the temperature of the furnace.
#5. Yellow Flame
When there is a typical yellow flame, it results from dirt, inadequate air, and gas combustion. You can use Screwdrivers and nails to pick away the dirt on the furnace.
#6. Split Flame
A slit or split flame is from the accumulation of dirt in the pilot tube. Nails and needles are efficient for cleaning the debris.
What Happens If The Pilot Light Goes Out On a Furnace?
The pilot lights on a furnace are constantly ON at all times. However, it can occasionally go out, but this could easily get reversed if you have the technical know-how to switch the furnace ON when it goes out.
But, when this happens, the burners begin to give up different kinds of flame colors to warn you about the defects of your furnace.
Secondly, when the pilot goes off, the burners will no longer produce heat and may require you to reignite the flames continuously. Therefore, flame ignition is another skill you must learn at all costs.
A furnace may continuously trip if it has airflow issues, is dirty, or when the cover panel opens. It can also go out when there is an incomplete combustion and gas shortage.
Conclusion
A Goodman furnace pilot light is at the front panel of the furnace. They, however, develop faults and are prone to go out from time to time.
When the burners go out, then heat production stops. The perfect color for the burner flame is Blue which may change to yellow and even green if the furnace has a fault.
Always get professional help for your pilot light issues.
