What does the colour mean?
The pilot light in your boiler should always be a clear, crisp blue colour. A blue flame means the system is running at its most energy efficient.
A yellow pilot light, or one that even has a slight tint of orange or yellow, not only means wasted energy, it could also be producing carbon monoxide (CO). The issue should be taken seriously; it’s extremely dangerous and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
This dangerous gas is colourless and odourless. As a result it is very difficult to detect it. The elderly and young children are the most vulnerable.
If your light is burning a yellow or an orange/yellow colour instead of a crisp blue and you are feeling unwell, you should seek medical attention straight away.
Carbon monoxide symptoms include nausea, headache, fatigue and dizziness. These could also lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or even death if not treated quickly enough.
Why has my pilot light changed from blue to yellow?
If your boiler pilot light is burning yellow, this could mean that the gas-to-air mix in the gas boiler is wrong and too much air is going into the system.
Other signs to look for as well as a yellow pilot light, is whether there’s any soot or staining around the boiler itself, or you’ve noticed condensation in the room or a fumy smell.
Even a small breeze could mean extra air in the system. This might cause the pilot light to burn yellow/orange or may even blow out altogether. As a result, it is one of the most common reasons why a boiler pilot light changes colour.
To prevent this from happening, ensure the boiler cover is secured properly and draught-proof your property. Always make sure that vents and flues are never blocked. Most importantly, don’t ever try tinkering with the mechanics of the boiler yourself, leave that to the experts.
What action should I take?
As trusted Gas Safe Registered boiler and heating engineers, we recommend switching off the machine and the gas supply before calling in the professionals.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous and a very serious matter, so should be treated as such.
Don’t hesitate to call in the experts if you notice your pilot light has changed colour.
Contact us on 0800 311 8990 to arrange a service from professional Gas Safe Registered engineer. They will know exactly how to deal with a faulty pilot light and will have your boiler up and running perfectly in no time. This makes sure you and your family are safe.
