Recently my gas water heater was replaced, and this required shutting off the gas. That caused the pilot light in the furnace to go out, and I don't know how to relight it. It's a Carrier furnace, and I stuck a match in where the flame should be, but there doesn't seem to be a gas supply. Is there some trick to this?
Usually, the pilot light flame heats a thermocouple sensor that is in the path of the flame. If there is no flame, the thermocouple sensor turns off the main gas valve and won't let come on again until the pilot flame system is restarted. This involves turning off the main gas valve on the furnace and then turning it back on again to pilot, usually you have to push the knob in to be able to turn it. Hold the knob in while lighting the pilot flame, and keep holding the knob in for a few minutes until the thermocouple heats up and sets the valve latch so that you can eventually let go of the knob and the pilot will continue to operate, heating the thermocouple sensor. Then you can turn the valve to Gas On and the main gas valve should be ready to operate for furnace operation. Do all of this with the thermostat turned down to low setting, and the switch to the furnace in the off position. Once the pilot system is operating, you can turn the power back on the furnace, and turn the thermostat up and the main gas valve should work. Since the gase was turned off, air may have gotten into the line and you will have to hold the knob in for a while until the air bleeds out and you have gas in the line.
As an aside, I'm a heating and AC guy. When I replace a furnace or water heater, I'm careful to go around the house and relight all the pilots. Sounds like your plumber was slightly negligent.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.