A flashlight

A few long, wooden matches or an adjustable butane lighter

An adjustable wrench (in case you meet with controls that are stuck

15 - 20 minutes

2torial #0610: Learn2 Light a Pilot Light It's cold in here! Let's say you're arriving at a cabin for a weekend in the country. You're ready to enjoy a much needed get-away--but the gas furnace and water heater aren't. They've been shut down in order to conserve fuel, and if you don't want to freeze your tail off, you'd better know how to start them up again. This 2torial supplies the basic guidelines on how to light standard pilot lights for gas appliances. But be careful--you don't want anything to go boom in the night! There are many different models of gas appliances (i.e., furnaces and water heaters) out there, so some of you may have difficulty applying these guidelines to your unit. Always get the advice of a plumber or licensed professional if you're not sure how to proceed. Most units operate using a gas supply valve which is linked to a thermostat. Gas is distributed on-demand to a burner, where it's ignited by a pilot light. (See Keywords for these terms). Step 1