Your gas furnace relies on many different components to work effectively. One of the most important is a thermocouple — a sensor that responds to temperature. In furnaces, the thermocouple sits overtop of the pilot light to detect whether or not it’s lit. If the light goes out, the thermocouple senses the heat change and closes the gas valve, preventing dangerous gas leaks.
Because a thermocouple prevents hazardous gas from flowing out of your furnace, it’s clear to see why faulty thermocouple replacement is such an important heating repair task, especially when you consider Boise, ID’s cold winters. In this guide, we’ll explain why early detection and replacement of a bad thermocouple is vital for preventing costly furnace repairs and dangerous malfunctions.
What is a Furnace Thermocouple and Why is it Important?
Before we can get into the details of how a faulty thermocouple affects furnace performance and safety, we need to understand the importance of this seemingly simple component.
Understanding the role of a thermocouple
A thermocouple is an essential part of a gas furnace. Without this device, your gas valve would remain open when the pilot light goes out, allowing a steady stream of uncombusted gas to flow throughout your home. A functioning thermocouple keeps your family and home safe from gas leaks which is why replacing them as soon as you notice an issue is of the utmost importance.
Signs of a failing thermocouple
Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs of a bad thermocouple. There’s a good chance that if your pilot light won’t ignite, it’s a thermocouple issue. Another common sign is if your heating turns on, but the furnace won’t stay lit — this is probably a thermocouple problem. Other typical symptoms of a bad thermocouple include sudden increases in your heating bill due to system inefficiency, or if you notice there’s no heat coming from your furnace.
The Cost of Ignoring a Faulty Thermocouple
Now you know how to tell if a thermocouple is faulty but what’s the risk of ignoring the problem? As it turns out, the costs of leaving this issue unchecked are quite high.
Common furnace problems caused by a bad thermocouple
Most gas furnaces have a failsafe to shut the gas valve in case of thermocouple failure but that doesn’t mean the problem will fix itself. Leaving a bad thermocouple can cause preventable and expensive furnace breakdowns, put additional strain on other components in your gas furnace, and cause emergency breakdowns during extreme weather. Eventually, your gas furnace won’t stay on, making your home a cold, uncomfortable place until you make the necessary repairs.
How a simple thermocouple replacement saves you money
When you compare the cost of a thermocouple replacement to other furnace repairs, you can see why addressing the issue early is a good idea. A simple thermocouple replacement can save you hundreds on repairing other parts of your furnace, or thousands to replace the entire system. It also means you don’t have to make an emergency call to a local HVAC service, and helps extend the lifespan of your home heating system.
DIY vs. Professional Thermocouple Replacement
DIY vs. professional thermocouple replacement — what’s the best move? Let’s look at whether you should replace a bad thermocouple yourself or leave the task to the pros.
Can you replace a thermocouple yourself?
To replace a thermocouple yourself, you’ll first need some tools. Usually, you can get the job done with an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver. Then, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose a new thermocouple that matches the size, type, and mounting system of your old unit.
Step 2: Turn off the power to your furnace at the circuit breaker before doing anything with your furnace.
Step 3: Shut off the gas to your furnace.
Step 4: Turn the furnace’s gas valve to the ‘off’ position.
Step 5: Wait about five minutes for the system to cool down and for any residual gas to clear.
Step 6: Locate the old thermocouple — the tip is usually touching the pilot light..
Step 7: Remove the thermocouple from the gas valve using your wrench.
Step 8: Remove the thermocouple from the pilot assembly, either by unscrewing it or simply pulling it out, depending on the model.
Step 9: Remove your new thermocouple from the package and uncoil it to match the shape of your old one.
Step 10: Attach the new thermocouple to the pilot assembly and gas valve using your wrench and screwdriver.
Step 11: Turn on the power, gas, and furnace again, and test to see if your pilot light stays lit.
If you decide to try to replace a thermocouple yourself, be absolutely certain that the power and gas are shut off on your furnace. Missing this step can cause serious injury.
Why hiring a professional is the best option
Some jobs are better left to the professionals. And when it comes to ensuring the safety of your home and the efficiency of your heating system, we recommend calling an expert. A trained HVAC technician can quickly install your new thermocouple, ensuring proper installation and safety at all times. While they’re at it, they can also diagnose other potential furnace issues and repair them, such as a faulty limit switch repair or draft inducer motor replacement.
Preventative Maintenance to Avoid Thermocouple Failure
The best way to address a faulty thermocouple is by preventing issues in the first place. Here are a few prevention tips to help.
How often should a thermocouple be replaced?
A well-maintained thermocouple can last up to 10 years. Your thermocouple may fail sooner than that if it isn’t cleaned regularly. It might short out or it might be damaged during installation or maintenance.
Furnace maintenance tips to prevent thermocouple issues
The best way to avoid thermocouple failure is with annual furnace inspections and tune-ups. This gives an HVAC technician a chance to check the components for any signs of damage or corrosion. If needed, they’ll clean the thermocouple and pilot assembly to help extend the life of your furnace. Think of these inspections as an investment, protecting you from costly furnace repairs down the line.
Service Area – Expert Furnace Repair & Thermocouple Replacement Near You
If you’re looking for furnace thermocouple repair and maintenance in Idaho, Express Plumbing, Heating & Air can help. Our management team is proud to employ a crew of exceptional, experienced HVAC professionals who make it their business to support each customer’s unique needs to the best of their abilities.
Areas we serve
Express Plumbing is proud to work in our service area Boise and the surrounding areas, helping to keep you and your neighbors comfortable at home, no matter the weather.
Why choose our HVAC team for thermocouple replacement?
Our certified, local HVAC technicians are here to help with any home heating job, including 24/7 emergency furnace repair services, help with making your furnace run more efficiently, or simple maintenance tasks like thermocouple replacement. We’re known for quick response times, transparent pricing, and quality workmanship, which is why so many Boise locals depend on us!
Contact Express Plumbing for Fast & Affordable Thermocouple Replacement
If you suspect your furnace thermocouple is faulty, don’t wait to address the issue. Contact the home heating experts at Express Plumbing, Heating & Air for fast, affordable service, and feel comfortable in your home again. Get in touch with us today!
