While homeowners might fret over a furnace pilot light going out, the solution is often simple. ... It's a small continuous flame that ignites the natural gas so it can do its job, ...

Q: I understand that our natural-gas furnace will not operate during power blackouts because there is no power to the electric fan. Power to the furnace is via a direct line; there is no plug.

Continuous Pilot A standing pilot gas furnace uses a small, continuously burning flame as a source of ignition for the main gas burner. When the thermostat calls for heat and prompts the main gas ...