Light the pilot by turning the control knob to "Pilot," holding the ignition button, and using a long lighter or match near the burner opening

The pilot light on an Empire wall furnace is a small flame that stays lit all the time and ignites the main burner when heat is needed. If it has gone out, you can relight it yourself in most cases without calling a technician. The process takes about five minutes and requires only a long lighter or long matches — nothing else.

Empire wall furnaces are mounted directly on an interior wall and draw air from inside the home rather than from outside. The pilot assembly is usually located at the bottom front of the unit, behind a small access panel or door. You will see a control knob labeled with settings like "Off," "Pilot," and "On."

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position before attempting to light the pilot, and leave it there for at least 30 seconds after ignition.
  • Hold down the ignition button (usually red or black) while using a long lighter to reach the pilot burner opening, which is a small metal tube near the control knob.
  • If the pilot does not stay lit after you release the button, wait five minutes and try again — the thermocouple may need time to heat up.
  • If the pilot lights but goes out within a few seconds of releasing the button, the thermocouple may be faulty and will need replacement by a technician.
  • Never force the control knob or ignition button; if either feels stuck or broken, stop and contact a service professional.

Locate the pilot assembly and access panel

Open the small metal door or access panel on the front of your Empire furnace. This panel is usually held in place by a single screw or latch and swings open to reveal the burner area. Inside, you will see the control knob on the left or right side, and just below or beside it, a small metal tube with an opening — this is the pilot burner.

Next to the control knob, you will find a button labeled "Ignition" or marked with a spark symbol. This button is usually red, black, or silver. Some older Empire models have a piezo igniter (a button you click repeatedly) rather than a continuous ignition button; if yours clicks, you will use that instead of holding it down.

Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and prepare to ignite

Locate the control knob and turn it clockwise or counterclockwise until the pointer aligns with the word "Pilot." Do not force it — it should turn smoothly. Once the knob is set to "Pilot," you are ready to light the flame.

Get a long lighter (the kind used for candles or fireplaces) or a long wooden match. A regular match or short lighter will not reach the pilot burner safely. If you do not have a long lighter, you can buy one at any grocery store or hardware store for a few dollars.

Hold the ignition button and light the pilot

Press and hold the ignition button down firmly. Keep holding it — do not release yet. While holding the button, bring the flame of your lighter or match to the opening of the pilot burner tube. You should see a small blue flame ignite at the burner opening.

Once the pilot flame appears, continue holding the ignition button for another 15 to 30 seconds. This allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensing device near the flame) to warm up and signal the furnace that the pilot is lit. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out.

Release the button and verify the flame stays lit

After 30 seconds, slowly release the ignition button. The pilot flame should remain lit. If it does, you have successfully relit the pilot. Close the access panel and turn the control knob to "On" to return the furnace to normal operation.

If the pilot flame goes out when ready after you release the button, wait five minutes for the furnace to cool slightly, then repeat the process. Sometimes the thermocouple needs a second attempt to heat up fully. If the pilot lights again but goes out a second time within a few seconds of releasing the button, the thermocouple is likely faulty and will need to be replaced by a technician.

Return the furnace to normal operation

Once the pilot is lit and stays lit after you release the ignition button, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." The furnace will now heat normally when the thermostat calls for heat. You should hear the main burner ignite within a few seconds.

If the furnace does not ignite the main burner after the control knob is set to "On," or if the pilot goes out again within an hour, contact a technician. These signs usually point to a thermocouple problem, a gas supply issue, or a faulty control valve — all of which require professional repair.

What to do if the pilot will not light at all

If you follow the steps above and no flame appears at the burner opening, the problem is usually one of three things: no gas is reaching the pilot, the ignition button is not working, or the burner opening is blocked.

First, check that the gas valve on the furnace (usually a lever handle on the gas line) is turned to the "On" position — the handle should be parallel to the pipe, not perpendicular. If the valve is off, turn it on and try again. If the valve is already on and you still see no flame, or if you smell gas but no flame appears, stop and call a technician. Do not attempt further ignition if you smell gas without seeing a flame.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button before releasing it?

Hold the button for at least 30 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and hold the gas valve open. Releasing too early is the most common reason the pilot goes out when ready after you let go.

What if the ignition button does not click or respond?

If the button feels stuck, broken, or does nothing when pressed, do not force it. The ignition mechanism may be faulty. You can still light the pilot manually using a long lighter or match without pressing the button — just bring the flame directly to the burner opening while the knob is on "Pilot." If the button is truly broken, contact a technician to have it repaired.

Can I light the pilot if the furnace is very cold?

Yes, cold does not prevent the pilot from lighting. However, if the furnace has been off for several hours or overnight, you may need to wait a minute or two after turning the knob to "Pilot" to allow gas to reach the burner. If no flame appears after two attempts, wait five minutes and try again.

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

Lighting the pilot yourself is safe if you follow the steps carefully and do not smell gas without seeing a flame. If you are uncomfortable with the process, smell gas, or the pilot will not stay lit after two attempts, contact a technician. A service call usually costs between $100 and $200.

Why does the pilot keep going out after I light it?

The most common cause is releasing the ignition button too soon — the thermocouple has not warmed up enough. Try again and hold the button for a full 30 seconds. If the pilot lights and stays lit while you hold the button but goes out when you release it, the thermocouple is likely failing and needs replacement.