BeforeProfit

When I first moved into the house I currently reside in I bought one of those fancy bug bomb things to get rid of anything that happened to be living there at the time. Before setting it off the directions said to be sure to shut off all electrical appliances and blow out any pilot lights that happen to be lit. So under the house I ventured and shut off the gas to the furnace. Set off the bug bomb and all was good. Except that I forgot to re-light the pilot light in the furnace.

The recent cold temperatures at night brought this oversight to my attention.

Flashlight, matches, candle, channel locks, and a hotdog stick with some tape.

So tonight I finally decided to try and figure out how to get this thing re-lit since there is a frost advisory tonight. I gathered all the tools I thought might be useful and began to try and decipher the aged and scratched off directions for re-lighting the pilot. I figured a hot dog stick with a long fireplace match affixed to it would be sure to do the job. Because to light it you need to go down about 24″ through a small hole in the top of the unit.

Several unsuccessful burnt matches later I figured I would turn to google. Evidently the square shaft that is near the directions turns. (usually I don’t think that square objects are meant to turn, but I guess this was built before such logic was commonplace) So after turning the square rod 90 degrees clockwise I figured I might be in business. Sure enough google knew exactly what was up with these old things, and after holding down the rod for 30-60 seconds to get the pilot light sensor nice and warm, I turned the rod back to where it was and I was in business.

Square rod and scratched off directions are on the left, and you can see the flames down the little lighting hole.

I was pleasantly surprised when it roared to life after turning the thermostat up to 70. That joy soon ended when the smoke detector starting going off. I guess all the cobwebs that had built up on it burn up and make smoke, who knew?

Yup, big metal grate that covers up the furnace, I hear it’s nice to stand over when you get out of the shower.

So now I sit in an overly warm room with a fan blowing heat, and the delicious odor of cobwebs to the outdoors.

Some good came out of all the effort though, I now have heat, and I’m smarter than a furnce probably three times my age.

And yea, I realize I could have just called the gas company or the landlord……. but what fun is that?