QA

How To Relight A Hot Water Heater Pilot Light

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.

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.

What do you do when your hot water heater pilot light goes out?

What should you do when your water heater’s pilot light goes out? Turn the thermostat to the lowest setting. Turn the on/off/pilot switch to the “pilot” position. Remove the outer and inner panels to access your pilot light.

How do I get my pilot light back on?

How Can I Restart My Pilot Light? Step 1: Turn off your furnace. Step 2: Locate your gas valve. Step 3: Hold down the red button. Step 4: Light the pilot light. Step 5: Let go of the button. Step 6: Turn your gas back on. Step 7: Turn your furnace back on.

How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?

Most service providers will charge a standard fee per visit that typically covers the cost to relight a gas water heater. This service call price can range from $80 to $100.

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.

Why would pilot light 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.

Is water heater pilot always on?

What Does it Do? Gas and propane fueled water heaters use a small flame to ignite the burner. This small flame is called a pilot light and it stays lit at all times. 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.

Does the gas company light water heater pilot?

PG&E gas service professionals relight appliance pilots at no extra cost. Some of the appliances that PG&E inspects include: Furnaces and water heaters. Ovens and ranges.

How do you know if pilot light is lit?

If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out. If there is a flame, check the color. Pilot lights should always be blue.

Why is my hot water heater not lighting?

If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple.

Can you manually light a gas water heater?

Lighting a water heater is simple, no matter what type you have. Most newer models of gas water heaters have a simple ignition switch. In just a few steps the water heater is lit, no problem. If you’ve moved into an older house, though, you many have the kind of water heater that needs to be lit manually.

Can a water heater explode?

Water heater explosions are terrifying, and they can happen. Anything that causes excess pressure on your water heating system, such as a poor anode rod, or a lot of sediment buildup, can all cause your water heater to explode. A gas leak can also cause your water heater to explode because it is a tremendous fire risk.

How do you light a hot water heater without an igniter?

Lighting with No Igniter Take a long lighter to reach the pilot. Remove the plate attached below the dial box. Switch Pilot to OFF. Wait for a while, – 5-10 minutes until there won’t be any gas. Change the temperature to LOW, and switch to Pilot. Push ON/OFF dial down, and simultaneously use the lighter.

Why does the pilot light on a water heater?

The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.

How do you know if your water heater is going to explode?

The signs your water heater is going to explode are leaking tank water, the faulty pressure relief valve, cloudy water, popping noise, and the lack of hot water. A hot water heater explosion can lead to death, physical injury, and serious damage.

What are the signs of a hot water heater going bad?

Signs Your Hot Water Heater Is Going to Fail Water leaking from the heating tank. Age of the water heater. Running out of hot water quickly. Inconsistent water temperature in the shower. Discolored water coming from faucets. Unusual noises coming from the water heater. Lower water pressure.

How do you manually ignite a water heater?

Lighting the Pilot Light on a Manual Hot Water Heater Turn the pilot dial to the off position and wait 5-10 minutes for any gas to dissipate. Then, turn the pilot dial until it says the word pilot. After that, set your temperate knob to low. Now, hold the pilot dial down while you light the burner.

Can you manually light a water heater with electronic ignition?

* 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. If the pilot light will not re-light, the problem could be a clogged pilot line or orifice, or gas is not reaching the water heater.