by Clint Rogers

Created on: November 03, 2009

With cold weather approaching, many people only have time to consider the basic maintenance their furnace requires at this time of the year. Since they most likely turned their pilot light off after last season for safety and for monetary savings, some will be faced with the common problem of the pilot light not staying lit. While this may be a sign of buildup from dirt or dust obstructing the gas line, it could also be the thermocouple that needs to be replaced. Replacing a part on your furnace may sound intimidating, but with basic knowledge of hand tools and simply following the steps below you will save money and be able to safely warm your house all winter long.

Safety First

As in any project dealing with an electrical or gas powered appliance, first make sure to turn off the gas and electricity before beginning the project. While some may say that replacing the thermocouple can be done without taking any necessary precautions, they're failing to remove any element of danger and can wind up not only damaging the furnace, but themselves if absent minded for only a moment.

Getting the Correct Part for the Job

In order to save yourself time and money, make sure you know the model number of your furnace and the thermocouple itself before going to any hardware or appliance store. Since parts are not usually truly universal and companies change specifications without warning, there is a chance that grabbing any universal part that has your furnace's brand will not work. Instead, as an associate at the store to look it up for you and, if necessary, special order the part. With Winter approaching there will be more special orders so get in soon to avoid any further wait.

Locating and Installing the Thermocouple

First, make sure to consult your owner's manual concerning the location of the thermocouple, which will be next to the furnace's pilot light. Then, remove the exterior furnace panel. Locate the thermocouple next to the pilot light. You will notice that there are two connections that need to be unscrewed - the gas connection and the bracket that keeps it still. Using your wrench, remove the gas line by loosening the nut on the end of the line. Then, unscrew the bracket nut and slide the old thermocouple out. To install your new thermocouple, slide it into place on the bracket, tighten the nut and reattach the gas line by screwing it back in.

Finally, turn the electricity and gas back on and make sure the pilot light is lit and remains active. By following these simple steps you can quickly and easily fix one of the more common furnace problems without the hefty heating and air conditioning repairman's bill, providing you extra money and comforting heat all winter long.

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