QA

Question: How To Light A Gas Water Heater Pilot Light

How do you light a pilot light on a gas water heater?

Turn the gas knob to “Pilot,” press and hold it down. This will start the flow of gas so you can light the flame. Some water heaters have a separate button for pilot mode, usually a red one, which you’ll press and hold. While still holding the gas down, light that pilot.

Can I relight the pilot light by myself?

If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.

What happens if water heater pilot light goes out?

If the pilot light goes out, your water heater won’t be able to ignite the gas burner and therefore, won’t be able to heat the water. But once the pilot light is relit, the water heater is able to ignite the gas burner and can begin to heat the water again.

How do you light a water heater pilot?

Lighting the Pilot Light on an Automatic Hot Water Heater All you have to do is hold the pilot knob down for 30 seconds and hold the ignition button at the same time. You do not need to use a lighter. Your pilot light will turn on!Feb 13, 2020.

How do you tell if the pilot light is out on a water heater?

Three quick ways to tell if your water heater’s pilot light is out are: Your Water is Cold. Blinking Light or Error Message. You Can’t See the Flame.

Is there a reset button on a gas water heater?

A water heater reset button, usually red, is located in the center of the limit switch just above the water heater thermostat. The water heater limit switch is a safety device that will shut the power down to the water heater if something malfunctions and the water gets to hot.

Why is my gas water heater not making hot water?

No Hot Water — Gas Water Heater. If a gas water heater isn’t heating, a common problem is usually that the pilot light has gone out. This may be caused by the gas valve, the natural gas supply, or—more likely—the thermocouple located next to the pilot light.

What causes a pilot light to go out?

Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.

What do I do if my pilot light won’t light?

If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

How do you light a pilot light on a lighter?

With the button depressed, hold the lighter flame near the pilot opening. Continue holding the gas valve to the “Pilot” position for at least one minute after relighting the flame. This allows the thermocouple safety sensor to heat up properly.

What causes a water heater pilot to go out?

Your thermocouple senses when your pilot light is burning. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame.

Is it safe to relight water heater pilot?

Igniting a flame in the proximity of a gas leak can be very dangerous for you and your home. You should only reignite your hot water heater pilot light if you are sure there is no gas leaking from your unit. Leaking gas will smell like rotten eggs or sulfur.

Should the water heater be on pilot or on?

You should set the water heater to “pilot”. If, however, your water heater is also the boiler for your central heating, then you’ll want to leave the heating running as normal so that your house doesn’t get damp as a result of cold and condensation.

What is pilot mode on water heater?

On gas water heaters, the pilot light makes sure that there’s always flame available when the burner needs to kick in and heat water. If you run out of gas, install a new water heater or have to shut it down for some reason, lighting the pilot is the first step to turn on a water heater.

Do all water heaters have a pilot light?

* Caution: Most modern water heaters no longer use standing pilots. They use electronic ignition to ignite the gas. Do not attempt to manually light an electronic ignition system.

How do I know if my gas hot water heater is on?

Start by looking for an access panel on the side of the water heater. If you remove it and see a blue flame, that’s a pilot light, which only gas models have. Connected pipes are also indicators of gas, while an electric water heater will simply have a cord going into the top or side of the unit.