Quick Answer
If your furnace pilot light burns yellow, it’s not burning gas properly. In Wellsburg homes, this is usually caused by dust, rust, or restricted airflow inside the burner assembly. A yellow flame means incomplete combustion, which can create carbon monoxide. Shut off your furnace and schedule service with Honest Fix to ensure safe operation.
Why It Matters for Wellsburg Homes
Many Wellsburg houses near Charles Street, Pleasant Avenue, and the 4th Ward area were built before the 1980s and still use older gas furnaces. With cold winters and frequent Ohio River fog, those systems collect dust and moisture that alter the gas-to-air mix. Basements with low ventilation or sealed walls often trap combustion gases—making a yellow flame both a warning and a safety hazard.
Common Causes of a Yellow Pilot Light
Honest Fix technicians in Wellsburg often find the flame discolored by dirt or corrosion on the pilot assembly. A tight furnace closet or blocked vent can restrict oxygen flow, especially in smaller homes along the hillside. Older Columbia Gas service lines can also cause low or uneven pressure. Any of these issues can make a normally blue flame turn yellow and unstable.
Why It’s Dangerous
A yellow pilot light means incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide (CO)—an odorless, invisible gas that can cause serious illness or death. Because many Wellsburg homes are sealed for energy efficiency, CO can build up quickly when windows stay closed during cold months. Honest Fix includes CO testing with every furnace tune-up to verify safe performance.
Professional Fix and Cost
A standard furnace tune-up and cleaning costs $109, including CO testing, gas calibration, and burner inspection. Diagnostic service visits are $99. Each visit includes Leo the Lion’s magnet, good for $25 off your next repair or tune-up.
FAQs
Q: Can I still run my furnace if the flame is yellow but steady?
No. Even a steady yellow flame means improper combustion that could release carbon monoxide.
Q: How often should Wellsburg homeowners service their furnaces?
Once per year before winter to ensure clean burning and reliable heating throughout the season.
Exact HVAC replacement quotes available at (740) 825-9408 or HonestFix.com/schedule-service.
Author: Alex Largent
Alex Largent
Alex Largent is the Owner and Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst at Honest Fix Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. With more than 20 years of field experience, NATE and EPA certifications, and a hands-on leadership style, Alex teaches his team to fix systems right the first time — with transparency, precision, and no upsells. He writes about HVAC diagnostics, home energy efficiency, and practical maintenance advice for homeowners across the Upper Ohio Valley. Read Alex Largent’s full bio to learn more about his expertise in the HVAC and Plumbing industry. Updated October 2025.
