turning pilot off
#1
05-05-01, 04:30 PM
Help, I turned off the pilot light to my floor furnace and i planned on keeping it off for the summer, once I turned it off "dah" I realized I didn't know if I am supposed to turn off the gas. There is a copper valve, with no markings that i can see. Shold I light it back? or will I start smelling gas? Thanks Hurry! B.Luke
#2
05-05-01, 08:36 PM
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Hello: B.Luke
EXCELLENT Question!
For the benefit of others reading this posting and to answer your question, I will attempt to explain in much more detail while also replying your question.
Floor furnaces came in several different makes, models, sizes and types. To further confuse the issue, many have had non OEM parts installed to keep them working. This is because, to the best of my knowledge, floor furnaces are not manufactured any longer. Floor furnaces of all types have become obsolete and so have the orginal parts.
What I can tell is if the floor furnace has a thermostat on a wall so it can operate automatically, there is a burner safety valve that will not allow main burner gas to come out to the burner if the pilot light is out.
Therefore, if you turn the valve "ON," only pilot gas will exit from the pilot assembly. It would be safe to attempt to relight the pilot under this circumstance.
Now should the floor furnace NOT have a thermostat on the wall and require you to manually turn the burner flames ON, using a FURNACE KEY or furnace rod, it may or may not have a burner safety valve.
The condition explained in the above paragrapgh should cause you to think refore attempting to relight a pilot. You must be absolutely positive which type you have before attempting to relight the pilot.
Most floor furnaces do have burner safety's. It is always incumbent upon me that I be very clear on this issue and everyone reading this message understands it correctly. I hope I have accomplished that task.
If there is any doubt, call your local gas utility for help. If need be, contact a licensed heating agent that works on floor furnaces, since some do not. Once your sure what the correct positions are on the valve, mark them for future use.
CAUTIONS:
If your floor furnace does not have a burner safety valve I suggest you have one installed. Attempting to relight a pilot, while burner gas is ON, can be dangerous...
Not having a burner safety valve can become dangerous also, should the pilot blow out and the appliance be turned on automatically by a thermostat or manually.
Regards & Good Luck
Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
EXCELLENT Question!
For the benefit of others reading this posting and to answer your question, I will attempt to explain in much more detail while also replying your question.
Floor furnaces came in several different makes, models, sizes and types. To further confuse the issue, many have had non OEM parts installed to keep them working. This is because, to the best of my knowledge, floor furnaces are not manufactured any longer. Floor furnaces of all types have become obsolete and so have the orginal parts.
What I can tell is if the floor furnace has a thermostat on a wall so it can operate automatically, there is a burner safety valve that will not allow main burner gas to come out to the burner if the pilot light is out.
Therefore, if you turn the valve "ON," only pilot gas will exit from the pilot assembly. It would be safe to attempt to relight the pilot under this circumstance.
Now should the floor furnace NOT have a thermostat on the wall and require you to manually turn the burner flames ON, using a FURNACE KEY or furnace rod, it may or may not have a burner safety valve.
The condition explained in the above paragrapgh should cause you to think refore attempting to relight a pilot. You must be absolutely positive which type you have before attempting to relight the pilot.
Most floor furnaces do have burner safety's. It is always incumbent upon me that I be very clear on this issue and everyone reading this message understands it correctly. I hope I have accomplished that task.
If there is any doubt, call your local gas utility for help. If need be, contact a licensed heating agent that works on floor furnaces, since some do not. Once your sure what the correct positions are on the valve, mark them for future use.
CAUTIONS:
If your floor furnace does not have a burner safety valve I suggest you have one installed. Attempting to relight a pilot, while burner gas is ON, can be dangerous...
Not having a burner safety valve can become dangerous also, should the pilot blow out and the appliance be turned on automatically by a thermostat or manually.
Regards & Good Luck
Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
