To relight a furnace pilot light safely, turn the gas valve to Off, wait five minutes for any residual gas to clear, then turn the valve to Pilot, hold down the reset button, and click the igniter or hold a long lighter to the pilot opening until the flame catches. Once the flame holds for 30 seconds, release the button and turn the valve to On. If the flame goes out, stop and call a professional - do not keep trying.
That is the short answer. The rest of this guide covers the exact tools you need, how to troubleshoot a pilot that won't stay lit, and the safety rules that matter most in Utah's cold, dry climate. We'll also explain when a DIY relight turns into a job for a licensed technician.
What to Do Before You Touch Anything
Before you kneel down in front of the furnace, do three things: locate the gas shutoff valve, confirm you have a long-reach lighter or a spark igniter, and make sure the area around the furnace is clear of anything flammable. A furnace pilot light is a small, standing flame that burns continuously to ignite the main burner when your thermostat calls for heat. If it goes out, the furnace will not produce heat - but the gas valve should shut off automatically as a safety feature.
You will need:
- A long-barrel lighter or a fireplace match (never a short match - you will burn your fingers).
- A flashlight or headlamp so you can see the pilot assembly clearly.
- A vacuum brush or soft cloth to wipe away dust around the burner compartment.
- Your furnace's model number, in case you need to call for help.
If you smell gas at any point - a rotten-egg odor - stop immediately. Do not flip any switches, do not use your phone near the furnace, and leave the house. Call your gas utility's emergency line from outside. That is not a step you can skip.
If you have a newer furnace with electronic ignition, you do not have a standing pilot light. Those units use a hot-surface igniter or spark ignition and should be serviced by a technician. If you are not sure which type you have, look for a small metal tube with a flame - that is the pilot. No flame and no pilot tube means you have electronic ignition.
Step-by-Step: How to Relight a Furnace Pilot Light Safely
Follow these steps in order. Do not rush. The entire process takes about five minutes, and most of that is waiting for gas to clear.
- Set the thermostat to its lowest setting. This prevents the main burner from firing while you work.
- Turn the gas valve to Off. The valve is usually a small knob on the furnace's gas line with three positions: On, Off, and Pilot.
- Wait five minutes. This is non-negotiable. It gives any residual gas time to dissipate. If you smell gas after five minutes, leave the house and call for help.
- Locate the pilot assembly. It is a small metal bracket near the burners with a gas tube and a thermocouple or thermopile. The thermocouple is a copper-colored rod; the thermopile looks similar but slightly thicker.
- Turn the gas valve to Pilot. Push the valve knob in or turn the reset button to the Pilot position. You will feel resistance - that is normal.
- Hold the reset button down. While holding it, click the igniter button (if your furnace has one) or bring your long lighter to the pilot opening. The flame should light within a few clicks.
- Keep holding the button for 30 seconds. This allows the thermocouple to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too soon, the flame will go out.
- Release the button and turn the valve to On. The pilot flame should remain lit. If it goes out, repeat steps 2 through 7 once. If it still won't stay lit, stop and call a professional.
- Set your thermostat back to your normal temperature. The main burner should ignite within a minute or two.
If your furnace has a spark igniter instead of a standing pilot, the process is similar but you will press a button that clicks and sparks rather than using a lighter. Some models require you to hold the reset button for a full minute. Check your furnace's label for specific instructions.
If you are not comfortable working around gas, or if your furnace is in a tight crawlspace or attic, call a professional. We handle Furnace Repair in Utah every day and can relight your pilot, test the thermocouple, and check for leaks in one visit.
Why Does My Furnace Pilot Light Keep Going Out in Utah?
A pilot light that keeps going out usually means one of four things: a dirty pilot opening, a failing thermocouple, a draft blowing out the flame, or a gas pressure problem. In Utah, the dry air and temperature swings from November through March make draft issues more common than most homeowners expect.
Here is what we see most often in Utah homes:
- Dirty pilot opening. Dust, rust, or spider webs clog the tiny hole where gas exits. The flame burns weak and yellow instead of blue. A soft brush and compressed air can fix this.
- Bad thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety sensor that tells the gas valve the pilot is lit. When it fails, the valve shuts off the gas. Thermocouples cost $10 to $30 for the part and take about an hour to replace.
- Drafts. Utah's older homes - especially those built before 1980 - often have leaky furnace closets or nearby return-air ducts that pull cold air across the pilot. A simple draft shield or sealing gaps can solve it.
- Low gas pressure. If your other gas appliances (water heater, stove) also seem weak, the issue is likely at the meter or a regulator. That is a job for the gas utility or a licensed technician.
If your pilot goes out more than once a month, do not keep relighting it. Something is wrong. We see this frequently in older homes across Furnace Repair in Bountiful, where original 1960s furnaces are still running with original thermocouples. A $150 to $250 repair now can prevent a no-heat emergency in January.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Relighting a Pilot
The biggest mistake is skipping the five-minute wait. We cannot count how many service calls we have run where a homeowner tried to relight immediately after the pilot went out, only to get a small flash of flame and a scare. Gas needs time to clear.
Other mistakes we see:
- Using a short match or a rolled-up piece of paper. You will burn your hand. Use a long lighter.
- Holding the reset button for only a few seconds. The thermocouple needs a full 30 seconds of flame to generate enough voltage to keep the gas valve open.
- Turning the gas valve to On before the pilot is stable. If the pilot goes out while the valve is On, gas can accumulate in the combustion chamber. Always confirm the pilot is burning steadily before turning to On.
- Ignoring a yellow flame. A healthy pilot flame is blue with a slight yellow tip. A mostly yellow or orange flame means incomplete combustion - call a technician.
- Relighting a pilot on a furnace that has not been serviced in years. If your furnace has not had a tune-up in three or more years, a pilot relight is a bandage. The real fix is a cleaning and inspection.
If you are due for service, our Furnace Tune-Up in Utah includes pilot inspection, thermocouple testing, burner cleaning, and a carbon monoxide check. We recommend it every fall before the first hard freeze.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed technician if any of these apply: you smell gas, the pilot will not stay lit after two attempts, the flame is yellow or orange, you see soot or corrosion on the burner assembly, or your furnace has not been serviced in over two years. Those are not DIY situations.
We also recommend calling if your furnace is in a hard-to-reach spot - a crawlspace, a tight attic, or a closet with poor ventilation. Working around gas in a confined space is a risk you do not need to take.
At Furnace Pros Utah, we diagnose pilot problems, replace thermocouples and thermopiles, clean pilot assemblies, and check for gas leaks. We stock common parts on our trucks, so most repairs are done in one visit. If your furnace is older and parts are hard to find, we will tell you straight and give you options for repair or replacement.
If you are without heat right now, our Emergency Furnace Repair in Utah line is open 24/7. We prioritize no-heat calls, especially when temperatures drop below freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I relight my furnace pilot light in Utah?
Turn the gas valve to Off, wait five minutes, turn to Pilot, hold the reset button, and light the pilot with a long lighter or igniter. Hold for 30 seconds, then turn the valve to On. If it does not stay lit, call a professional.
Is it safe to relight a furnace pilot light in Utah?
Yes, if you follow the steps and do not smell gas. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility. Never relight a pilot if you are unsure or if the furnace has not been serviced in years.
Why does my furnace pilot light keep going out in Utah?
Common causes are a dirty pilot opening, a failing thermocouple, drafts from leaky ducts, or low gas pressure. In Utah, dry air and temperature swings make draft issues and dirty pilots more frequent. A technician can diagnose it in one visit.
Should I relight my furnace pilot light myself in Utah?
If you are comfortable working around gas and your furnace is accessible, yes. If you smell gas, have a yellow flame, or the pilot will not stay lit after two tries, call a licensed technician. Safety first.
How much does it cost to fix a furnace pilot light in Utah?
Typical 2026 pricing in Utah is $150 to $350 for a thermocouple or thermopile replacement, including parts and labor. A pilot assembly cleaning runs $100 to $200. Emergency calls after hours may add $75 to $150.
Get Help with Furnace Repair in Utah
If your pilot will not stay lit, or you would rather not deal with it yourself, we can help. Our technicians handle pilot relights, thermocouple replacements, and full furnace diagnostics across Utah.
Call Furnace Pros Utah at (866) 961-2544. We will get your heat back on.