Lighting a wall heater pilot light yourself

Most wall heaters have a pilot light you can relight by hand without calling a technician. The process takes about five minutes and involves locating the pilot burner (a small opening near the main burner), holding down a reset button while you explore a flame, and waiting for the pilot to stay lit on its own. If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the button, the thermocouple—a safety device that detects heat—may need replacement, which is a job for a professional.

Before you start, turn off the wall heater at the wall switch and wait five minutes for any gas to clear. Read the label on your heater's front panel; most manufacturers print lighting instructions there, and your specific model may have a slightly different sequence. If you cannot find the label or instructions, stop and contact the heater's manufacturer or a technician—guessing at the steps can be unsafe.

Key Takeaways

  • Locate the pilot burner opening (usually a small hole near the main burner) and the reset button on your wall heater's control panel.
  • Turn off the heater, wait five minutes, then hold the reset button down while lighting the pilot with a long lighter or match.
  • Keep the reset button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot ignites so the thermocouple can heat up and hold the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot light goes out when you release the button, the thermocouple is likely faulty and needs professional replacement.
  • Never force the reset button or ignore the manufacturer's instructions printed on your heater's label.

Locate the pilot light assembly and control knob

Open or remove the front panel of your wall heater to see inside. On most models, you will see a small metal tube running from the control knob area toward the burner chamber. At the end of that tube, near the main burner, is the pilot burner—it looks like a tiny nozzle, often with a small opening about the size of a pin.

Next to or below the burner chamber, find the control knob. It usually has three positions marked "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some heaters have a separate red reset button next to the knob instead. Check your heater's label to confirm which control you have and what the correct sequence is for your model.

Turn off the heater and wait before starting

Switch off the wall heater using the wall switch or the control knob, and leave it off for at least five minutes. This allows any residual gas in the chamber to disperse. Do not skip this step—it reduces the risk of a gas pocket igniting unexpectedly when you light the pilot.

While you wait, gather a long lighter (a barbecue lighter works well) or long matches. A regular short match or lighter will not reach the pilot burner safely, and you need both hands free to hold the reset button and aim the flame.

Set the control knob to pilot and hold the reset button

Turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position. If your heater has a separate reset button instead of a knob, you do not need to turn anything—just locate the button. Press and hold the reset button down firmly; you should feel it click or seat into place. Do not release it yet.

While holding the button down, bring the flame from your lighter or match to the pilot burner opening. You may need to angle the flame slightly to reach the small opening. The pilot should ignite within a few seconds, producing a small blue flame about the size of a pea or pencil tip.

Keep the button pressed while the pilot heats the thermocouple

Once the pilot is lit, continue holding the reset button down for 30 to 60 seconds. During this time, the flame is heating the thermocouple, a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame. The thermocouple generates a tiny electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the valve closes and the pilot goes out.

Watch the pilot flame while you hold the button. It should burn steadily and blue. If it flickers or looks yellow or orange, the burner may be dirty or the gas mixture may be off—stop, release the button, wait five minutes, and try again. Repeat this process up to three times before calling a technician.

Release the button and turn the knob to on

After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the reset button. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it goes out when ready, the thermocouple is not generating enough signal and likely needs replacement—this is a professional repair.

If the pilot stays lit, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." The main burner should ignite, and you should hear a soft whoosh as gas flows to the larger burner. The heater will now warm up. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait five minutes, and repeat the pilot-lighting process before trying again.

What to do if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot light goes out the moment you release the reset button, even after you have held it for a full minute, the thermocouple has likely failed. A thermocouple costs between $15 and $50 as a part, but installation requires opening the heater and may involve soldering or threading connections—this is a job for a licensed technician or HVAC professional.

Do not repeatedly try to light the pilot if it will not hold. Each attempt releases a small amount of gas into your home. After three failed attempts, stop and contact a technician. If you smell gas at any point, turn off the heater, open windows, and leave the house; then call your gas company's emergency line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I light the pilot with a regular match instead of a lighter?

A regular match is too short to reach the pilot burner safely while you hold the reset button. Use a long lighter or long fireplace matches. If you do not have either, buy a barbecue lighter at any hardware or grocery store for a few dollars.

What if the pilot light is yellow or orange instead of blue?

A yellow or orange flame usually means the burner opening is dirty or the air-to-gas ratio is off. Turn off the heater, wait five minutes, and try again. If the color does not change, the burner may need cleaning by a technician.

How long should I hold the reset button down?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot ignites. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. Holding it longer does not help, but releasing it too soon will cause the pilot to go out.

Is it safe to light the pilot myself, or should I call a technician?

Lighting the pilot yourself is safe if you follow the manufacturer's instructions and wait five minutes before starting. If the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, or if you smell gas, stop and call a technician or your gas company.

What does the thermocouple do, and why does it matter?

The thermocouple is a safety device that sits in the pilot flame and generates a signal telling the gas valve to stay open. If it fails, the valve closes and the pilot goes out. A faulty thermocouple cannot be fixed—it must be replaced by a professional.