Lighting a Gas Furnace Pilot Light - How it Works

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I recently bought a 100 year old Victorian with a gas furnace that looks like it was installed in the 80s. I don't know if it works. I've sent out a request to have the gas turned on, and frankly, I'm a little concerned...

The gas company would like to make an appointment to turn the pilot light on. Meanwhile, I've started doing a little research on pilot lights and how they work. I learned that my old heater is ignited by a pilot flame as opposed to electronic ignition - a modern alternative.

Hopefully they are able to light it and that will be that - I guess I need an HVAC contractor to give me a little more information on the furnace in the meantime and have it inspected. The pilot light evidentally works together with the thermocouple to turn on the gas. The thermocouple open the main gas valve after sensing if the pilot is hot enough.

Once the gas valve is open, gas is then constantly supplied to the pilot and as required for the gas burners (as called for by the thermostat). If the pilot goes out, then the thermocouple gets cold and produces no electric signal to open the gas valve's solenoid and the gas valve shuts off the gas supply to the pilot and burners.

This information seems simple enough, but I will probably leave it to a professional New York HVAC contractor before blowing up my house...