Lighting the pilot on a wall heater

To light a wall heater pilot, you turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button (or knob) for 30 to 60 seconds while holding a lit match or lighter to the pilot opening, then release the button and turn the knob to "On." If the pilot stays lit after you release the button, the thermostat will signal the main burner to heat. If it goes out, wait five minutes and try again—the thermostat may need time to reset.

The exact steps vary slightly by heater model, so check your manual first. If you cannot locate the pilot opening, see the manufacturer's diagram on the inside of the access panel or the back of the unit. Some wall heaters have an electronic igniter button instead of a match-light design, which makes the process faster but follows the same sequence.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot," press the ignition button, and hold a flame to the pilot opening for 30 to 60 seconds until the pilot lights.
  • Release the ignition button slowly after the pilot is lit; if it stays on, turn the knob to "On" and the heater is ready to use.
  • If the pilot goes out after you release the button, wait at least five minutes before trying again, because the thermostat needs time to reset.
  • Never force the ignition button or hold it down longer than 60 seconds, as this can flood the pilot chamber with gas and make relighting harder.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, the thermocouple may be faulty and you should contact a technician.

Locating the pilot opening and control knob

The pilot opening is a small hole or tube near the bottom of the heater, usually marked with a label or diagram on the access panel. The control knob sits on the front or side of the heater and has three positions: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some older models use a separate ignition button next to the knob instead of a button built into the knob itself.

Before you begin, remove the access panel or cover if your heater has one. This gives you clear sight of the pilot opening and makes it easier to hold the flame steady. If you cannot see the pilot opening even with the panel off, consult your manual or look for a diagram printed on the inside of the panel—it will show you exactly where to aim the flame.

The step-by-step lighting process

First, turn the control knob all the way to "Off" and wait two minutes. This clears any stale gas from the pilot chamber. Then turn the knob to "Pilot."

Next, press and hold the ignition button (or hold down the knob if the button is built in). While holding it down, bring a lit match or lighter flame to the pilot opening. Hold the flame there for 30 to 60 seconds. You should see a small blue flame ignite at the opening.

Once the pilot is lit, keep holding the ignition button for another 10 to 15 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a safety device that detects the pilot flame—to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. Then slowly release the button. If the pilot flame stays on, turn the knob to "On." If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the button, wait five minutes and repeat the process.

Why the pilot goes out and what to do

The most common reason a pilot goes out when ready after you release the ignition button is that the thermocouple did not heat up enough. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame; when it gets hot, it tells the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too quickly, the thermocouple may not have reached the right temperature yet.

The solution is to hold the ignition button down for the full 10 to 15 seconds after the pilot lights, then release it slowly. If the pilot still goes out, wait at least five minutes before trying again. The thermostat inside the heater needs time to cool and reset. Attempting to relight it too quickly can flood the pilot chamber with excess gas, making it harder to ignite.

If the pilot will not stay lit after three separate attempts, the thermocouple is likely worn out or the gas valve is not opening properly. At that point, you should contact a technician—these are not repairs you can do yourself safely.

Safety steps to follow while lighting

Never use an electric lighter or anything that produces a spark near the pilot opening. Use a long-handled match or a lighter with a long flame. Keep your face and hands at a safe distance from the opening so you do not get burned by the ignition.

Do not hold the ignition button down for more than 60 seconds. Holding it longer floods the pilot chamber with gas, which can create a small explosion when the flame finally ignites. If the pilot does not light within 60 seconds, release the button, wait five minutes, and try again.

Make sure the heater is in a well-ventilated space and that there are no flammable materials within 12 inches of the unit. If you smell gas while lighting the pilot, stop when ready, turn the knob to "Off," and open a window. Do not try to relight it—call your gas company or a technician.

Electronic igniter versus match-light models

Some newer wall heaters have an electronic igniter button instead of a match-light design. With an electronic igniter, you turn the knob to "Pilot," press the ignition button, and hold it down while the igniter creates a spark at the pilot opening. You do not need to bring a match or lighter to the heater.

The rest of the process is the same: hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds until the pilot lights, keep holding for another 10 to 15 seconds after ignition, then slowly release the button. If the pilot stays on, turn the knob to "On." Electronic igniters are faster and safer than match-light models, but they require a working battery or electrical connection, so check that the heater is plugged in or has fresh batteries before you start.

When to call a technician instead

If you have followed the lighting steps correctly three times and the pilot will not stay lit, the problem is not user error. The thermocouple may be failing, the gas valve may be stuck, or there may be a blockage in the pilot tube. These are not issues you should try to fix yourself.

Also call a technician if you smell gas during the lighting process, if the pilot flame is yellow or orange instead of blue, or if the heater makes a loud popping sound when the main burner ignites. A yellow or orange flame means incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide. A popping sound usually means the ignition is delayed, which can also be unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds while the flame is at the pilot opening, then keep holding for another 10 to 15 seconds after the pilot lights. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up. If you release too quickly, the pilot will go out.

What if I cannot get the match flame close enough to the pilot opening?

Use a long-handled match or a lighter with an extended flame. If the opening is recessed deep inside the heater, a long-reach lighter works better than a standard match. Some hardware stores sell special pilot-light lighters with extra-long nozzles.

Is it normal for the pilot to go out the first time I release the button?

No. If it goes out, you likely released the ignition button too soon. Wait five minutes, then try again, holding the button down for the full 10 to 15 seconds after the pilot ignites before you release it.

Can I light the pilot if the heater is turned off at the wall?

No. The heater must be plugged in or have power for the thermostat and gas valve to work. If your heater has a battery-powered igniter, make sure the batteries are fresh. Check that the wall outlet is working by plugging in another device.

What does it mean if the pilot flame is yellow instead of blue?

A yellow or orange flame indicates incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide. This usually means the pilot tube is dirty or the air-to-gas ratio is off. Stop using the heater and contact a technician to clean or adjust the pilot.