Energy efficiency

A furnace pilot light going out can range from a nuisance to dangerous. We’ll discuss what the pilot light is, common reasons why it keeps going out, and how you can relight it.

What is a Pilot Light

The pilot light is the small flame that, usually, doesn’t go out. It’s found inside the combustion chamber and receives a continual gas supply to keep it burning. The pilot acts as the ignition source for the furnace burners which are responsible for producing your home’s heat.

Reasons Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Pilot Light is Dirty

The pilot light flame sits in a small opening, also called the pilot orifice. Because the opening is so small, it doesn’t take much dust, dirt, ash, or soot to impede the gas flow and cause the pilot light to go out. If the flame is weak — yellowish or orange instead of blue with a green tint — it likely has a dirty opening.

Thermocouple Fails (broken, dirty, off center)

The thermocouple is the copper rod located next to the pilot light. It’s connected to the gas valve and acts as a safety sensor, telling the gas flow when to turn off. Over time the workload begins to take a toll and the thermocouple may fail for one of these reasons.

• Broken or burned out: Since the thermocouple is a piece of metal, it goes through the expansion and contraction cycle many times when it heats and cools. This cycle causes wear and eventual breakdown or failure.
• Dirty: The thermocouple location is perfect for ash, soot, dirt, and other debris to collect on the surface and interfere with its ability to communicate with the gas line.
• Off-center: Sometimes the expansion and contraction can cause the thermocouple to move out of alignment. Without full engulfment from the pilot light flame, the thermocouple thinks there’s an issue and tells the gas to stop flowing, shutting off the flame.

Drafty Basement or Attic

Because the attic or basement often have enough unused space to house the furnace and its necessary ductwork, they’re the chosen installation location. But both rooms are known for drafts and mysterious airflow that can be strong enough to blow out the pilot light. Sporadically check these rooms for drafts and repair the air leak(s) as soon as possible.

How to Re-Light Pilot Light

Although relighting the pilot light for a gas furnace is usually straightforward, if you suspect the issue is something else in the furnace, contact an HVAC technician. It’s better to err on the side of caution when dealing with a gas-fueled appliance.

Check the Manual

Your furnace’s owner’s manual will have the most specific instructions for handling the pilot light. If you can’t find it, check the manufacturer’s website as most companies have free digital versions of support materials.

Turn off the Gas

Turn off the power supply, usually at the circuit breaker, then turn off the gas. Wait at least five minutes for the remaining gas to dispel before moving to the next steps. Otherwise, any remaining gas could ignite when you relight the pilot light and cause a flash fire and/or injury.

Reset the Gas and Light the Pilot Light

Before turning the gas supply back on, look for a small dial at the bottom of the furnace. This dial should have ‘on’, ‘off,’ and ‘pilot’ options for controlling the gas flow. Turn the gas back on to the unit then turn the dial to pilot — it will allow gas to start flowing to the pilot opening again. Press and release the reset button then use a long lighter to relight the pilot.

Pilot Light Safety and Maintenance Tips

Schedule Routine Tune-Ups and Maintenance

Pilot lights do occasionally go out, but the occasion should be rare. If yours is going out on a regular schedule, it usually means there’s a bigger issue at play within the furnace. Luckily for you, regular furnace maintenance is a great way to avoid these situations. By scheduling routine tune-ups with an HVAC technician, they’ll thoroughly look over the system, including:

• Inspecting the vent system and removing debris
• Examining the heat exchanger.
• Checking the burner and flame sensor
• Testing the furnace’s safety controls

An added bonus of furnace maintenance? It helps your unit work efficiently which saves you money.

Make sure to Change Your Air Filter

The air filter helps keep dust, fur, and hair from flowing into and out of your furnace, improving the indoor air quality of your home. It also keeps the furnace operating by stopping these particulates from coating internal components. But when the filter clogs, you may notice more junk in the air and less warm air coming from the furnace. It’s recommended to change the air filter every two to three months to avoid any hiccups.

Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Bedrooms

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of combustion in any gas-fueled appliance, including furnaces. This odorless and tasteless gas is dangerous to humans and animals, and can leak from a furnace at any time. This is why it’s extremely important to keep CO detectors in every room, especially bedrooms, so you and loved ones can be alerted at any time of day.

Regular maintenance and professional repairs are the best way to keep your furnace pilot light burning at all times.

Saving money on your energy bills doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a lot of simple things you can do to reduce your energy use, save money on your bills, and help the environment.

Here are tips to get you started and help you on your way to low energy bills.

Get an Energy Audit

The first thing to do is get an energy audit. An energy audit will tell you where your biggest energy-loss culprits are and what you can do to fix them. You can do it yourself, but it’s easier with a professional.

A good energy auditor will look at the whole house and recommend ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. They’ll also recommend specific repairs, such as sealing leaks in your ductwork or installing new insulation in your attic.

Even better, energy auditors may also be able to help you get rebates for installing certain types of equipment and appliances that use less energy.

You’ll come away with a list of recommendations to help you reduce your energy consumption. Of course, it might involve investing money to implement the suggestions. But many home improvements pay for themselves within two years by generating low energy bills.

Make Sure Your Home is Insulated

Insulation prevents heat from escaping through the walls of your house during winter and keeps heat inside during summer. This means less power is needed for heating or cooling and less money spent on bills.

In addition, insulation keeps your home comfortable year-round. You can lower your thermostat by a few degrees during the summer or winter, saving you even more money on energy bills!

Moreover, insulating your home also helps reduce noise pollution and lower moisture levels preventing mold growth.

Insulate Your Water Heater

The secret to low energy bills is to insulate your water heater. It’s a simple, no-cost way to reduce the heat lost through your hot water pipes, which means less work for your furnace or air conditioner.

Covering your water heater can help keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can buy a cover at home improvement stores or online. In addition, some manufacturers sell custom insulated covers that fit snugly around the tank.

Use Appliances During Off-Peak Hours

One simple way to save money on your electric bill is to use appliances during off-peak hours. This means that instead of running the dishwasher or washing machine and other major appliances like the dryer, you should wait until 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., when most people are not as active, and demand for electricity is lower.

Change Your Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC system is one of the most essential parts of the unit, and it can also be one of the easiest to forget about.

But when you don’t change your filters regularly, you’re essentially letting dust and dirt build up inside your system. This can cause problems with efficiency, which means you’ll be paying more for your electricity bill than you need to.

The best way to keep your filters clean is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance.

Lower the Settings on Your Thermostat

Lowering the temperature by just a few degrees can make a big difference in your energy bill. And chances are you won’t even feel the difference.

In addition, you can save money by using a programmable thermostat that reduces heat or air conditioning when you leave your home or office. You can also set it to turn off when no one is there.

Landscape for Shade

Shade trees and dense scrub can save you money on your energy bills by reducing your air conditioner usage in the summer as the trees block out some of the heat. They also insulate your home by adding a layer of protection between your home and the cold weather conditions. And the best thing is, they also add curb appeal to your home.

Replace Your Showerhead

Replacing your old showerhead with a low-flow model can help you save money on water and energy costs by reducing both water consumption and energy use from heating that water.

Use LED Light Bulbs

LED lighting is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs and CFLs. In addition, LED light bulbs are designed to last a long time, and they don’t contain mercury like some other types of bulbs.

Make Sure to Get HVAC Maintenance and Tune-Ups

A HVAC tune-up is one of the best ways to make sure your energy bill stays low. Regular maintenance extends the life of your equipment by keeping it free from dirt, dust, lint, and other contaminants that build up over time. This reduces wear on moving parts and makes it easier for the unit to run properly. The harder the unit has to work, the more energy is used.

An HVAC system working at peak efficiency means lower utility bills for you.

Need HVAC maintenance? Get affordable HVAC care with the professionals at Sierra.

Utility bills for the fall and winter tend to be higher than in the summer because we’re using more heating and lighting. Although you can’t avoid paying your utility bill, there are ways to reduce energy usage. Follow these simple tips to lower electric bills this fall and winter.

Open Curtains During the Day to let in Sunlight

Opening up your curtains during the day in winter helps keep your house warmer at night. As sunlight streams into your home during the day, it warms up your indoor environment thanks to the “solar gain” effect.

Closing the curtains at night creates a barrier between the warmth in the room and the gaps in the window, meaning your room stays warmer for longer.

Get a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is like having a personal energy manager in your home. The Wi-Fi-enabled device can be controlled remotely from any device with an internet connection, and it learns your habits and adjusts accordingly. It can even be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature based on when you’re home or away.

Smart thermostats keep the house warm while you’re sleeping or at work but turn down the heat when no one’s around — saving you money on your heating bills.

Don’t Run Appliances During Peak Hours and Avoid High Rates

Peak hours are the time of day when most people are using electricity. During these times, your power bill can be significantly higher than normal.

Check with your local utility company or energy provider to find out when power peaks occur in your area. Then, lower electric bills by running your appliances off-peak.

Save Money by Using Rugs on Hardwood and Concrete Floors

Some hardwood and concrete flooring are tricky to heat, meaning they aren’t energy efficient. Rugs are an easy way to make your bare floor living space more comfortable without breaking the bank on heating bills.

What’s more, rugs do wonders for softening a room’s look and ambiance while simultaneously providing extra warmth. And the best part is that adding a colorful rug can help brighten and open up even the smallest spaces.

Layer up by Wearing a Cozy Sweater

Feeling chilly? Layer up! Wearing layers is a great way to stay warm and comfortable during winter. Start with a base layer made from wool, then add layers on top, depending on how cold it is outside. Choose your favorite sweater instead of reaching for the heating.

Regularly Change Your Air Filter

Change your heating air filter regularly to help your furnace run efficiently and reduce energy bills.

A dirty filter can reduce airflow to the furnace, which causes more work for the blower motor and increases energy consumption.

It’s important to change filters regularly because they become full of dust, dirt, and other particles. The longer you wait between filter changes, the more energy you waste trying to blow air through a clogged system.

Book Regular Furnace Maintenance Checks

It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to save money on heating is to spend on maintenance. HVAC checks ensure your system runs as efficiently as possible. Prevent overload and breakdowns by booking your next maintenance check with a professional HVAC technician.

Check for Energy-Consuming Phantom Loads

Phantom loads are electronic devices that continue to draw power even when turned off. These energy vampires end up costing you more on your energy bills.

Unplug things when you’re not using them. It’s easy to get into the habit of leaving your phone charger plugged in all the time. But you’ll get a lower electric bill by unplugging these devices when not in use.

Check and Seal Air Gaps Around Windows and Where Pipes Enter the Home

Air gaps are spaces where air can pass through without resistance. You usually find these pesky gaps around windows and doors, electrical outlets and light switches, pipes and ducts, and other places in your home.

Air leaks are a common problem, especially in older homes. The good news is that sealing them is easy using caulk or foam-backed weatherstripping.

Wash Clothes on a Cold Water Setting

Using cold water can significantly reduce your energy bill because it uses less electricity than warm water. For example, 90% of energy used by a washing machine is for heating the water.

Cold washing also reduces wear and tear on clothing and keeps colors bright and fresh. Great for your wardrobe and even better for your bank balance.

Check the Temperature of Your Water Heater

Water heaters use up a lot of energy. But the lower the temperature setting, the less energy your water heater will use to heat water. Try resetting to 120 degrees or lower.

Want to know more about heating your home without higher energy bills? Contact our Reno heating and HVAC experts for more information.

Cranking the Heat Up in Winter

Cranking the heat up in winter may sound like a great way to combat the first chill of the season, but in reality, it’s just a good way to waste energy. Decorating for the upcoming holidays is a great excuse to break out some cozy favorites to make your home look and feel warmer — sans using your heater. Some easy ways to keep your home cozy on the cheap:

• Add fluffy throw blankets to the couch or flannel sheets on your bed for a cozy way to stay warm at night
• Invest in rugs and insulated curtains to trap warm air inside your home and prevent cold feet in the morning

Not Changing Filters

Get in the habit of changing your air filters every time the seasons change. It’s a simple way to stick to a regular maintenance routine and will save you money in the long run. Most professionals recommend changing your HVAC system’s air filters every 2-3 months.

Why is changing your air filter important? Dirty air filters collect dust, dander, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants. Over time, the filter will fill up with debris, resulting in constructed airflow and putting a strain on your system. As a result, your HVAC system uses more energy, which is reflected in your energy costs.

Forgetting to Schedule Maintenance

Maintenance is important for all your larger home appliances. Schedule annual check-ups on your water heater, boiler, and/or HVAC unit to catch issues before they harm your systems. Catch small problems early to reduce the cost and impact of them snowballing into larger issues down the road.

Have you scheduled your fall maintenance yet? Now is the time! Contact your trusted HVAC specialists at Sierra Air Inc to schedule your maintenance today: (775) 800-5500

3 Ways to Use Your Air Conditioner Efficiently

When the temperatures soar, many homeowners can be tempted to crank the thermostat to the lowest possible setting. It may seem like this is a good strategy to cool your entire home down more quickly. In actuality, it just puts more strain on your system and spikes your energy use. To efficiently cool your home follow these tips:

Set It and Forget It

The ideal summer temperature for energy efficiency is 78 degrees. The EPA recommends setting your thermostat to this temperature and “forgetting it” — or not adjusting it further. This allows your system to keep your home at a standard temperature without fluctuations.

If you want more control over the amount of energy you use at home, consider investing in a smart thermostat. Smart technology can help you track your energy use and remotely turn the air off when you aren’t at home.

Change the Filter

Your air filter may seem like a small consideration in relation to the rest of your HVAC system, but in actuality, it can be one of the biggest factors affecting your home’s temperature. A blocked or clogged air filter prevents airflow from moving through your system and cooling your home. Change the air filter before summer to avoid this problem and prevent putting unnecessary strain on your air conditioner.

Leave the AC Running

A common misconception about saving energy at home is that you should turn your air conditioner off when you leave the house. This will save energy to a certain degree, but if the heat outside is significantly different than your desired temperature, you can end up wasting more energy in the long run.

When you turn your HVAC system off, your home warms up. When you come home and turn the system back on, the AC has to work even harder to cool your home down from the hotter temperature it has reached while you were out. Instead, simply raise the temperature a few degrees when you leave the house. This way, you can save energy and prevent your system from overworking to bring a 90-degree house back down to 78 degrees.

How to Save Money and Stay Cool

While using your air conditioner is a great way to stay cool this summer, there are many other ways to chill out and cut back on your energy costs:

• Shut the blinds. Light-blocking curtains and blinds can help reduce the sunlight heating your home.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking water is an easy and smart way to stay cool all summer long. Cool water helps to reduce your body’s core temperature and keep you cool from the inside out. Keep in mind: Drinking ice water after being outside in excessive heat can be a shock to your system. Make sure your water is cool and not cold to hydrate safely.
• Make some cool treats. Summer is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats like ice cream and popsicles! Best of all? You can make your own! There are tons of recipes online for yogurt and fruit popsicles or even homemade sea salt ice cream.
• Use your ceiling fan. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a fan in a room can make you feel up to four degrees cooler! Keep in mind, this only works if you’re in the same room as the fan — the windchill effect won’t work without people.

There are many more creative ways to stay cool this summer, such as using cool washcloths on pressure points, investing in linen sheets, and more!

If you think you’re spending too much on your energy bills or your AC isn’t cooling your home the way it used to, contact the Sierra Air Inc team at (775) 800-5500! Our team can help you get your cool air back up and running so you can live comfortably all season long.