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 ignite a gas water heater?
Turn the water heat dial to Low and the On/Off/Pilot dial to Pilot. Then, turn the On/Off/Pilot dial downwards and push the igniter button at the same time. Let go of the igniter button, but keep pressing the Pilot dial downward for around 30 seconds. You should hear a “whoosh” sound when the gas is lit.
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 do you do if your 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 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.
Do gas water heaters have pilot lights?
Tank-type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated. Usually, the first warning that your pilot light has gone out is the cold water coming from the hot water tap. … If your heater’s pilot goes out, you can relight it yourself.
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.
Why would the pilot go out on water heater?
Some of the most common reasons that water heater pilot lights go out include: A faulty thermocouple. … Over time, thermocouples can begin to malfunction and shut off the gas supply to the pilot light even if it’s burning properly. A bent or dirty thermocouple.How do you check the pilot light on a hot water heater?
It’s usually right on the panel. Turn and hold the knob to “Pilot” and push the ignitor. You should hear it click, and probably also a “whooshing” sound. Check in that gap, and you should see the light on.
Do all water heaters have pilot lights?* 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.
Article first time published onHow long should it take to light a pilot light?
To light a pilot light, first turn the gas control valve to off and wait 5 to 10 minutes until all the gas fumes are gone. Once you’ve made sure there’s no gas coming out, hold a lit barbecue lighter or long match next to the pilot light tube inside your furnace while turning the gas control knob to pilot.
Can you light a water heater manually?
Lighting the Pilot Light on a Manual Hot Water Heater If your hot water heater is a manual, grab a long lighter. … Now, hold the pilot dial down while you light the burner. You’re going to hold the pilot button down for at least 30 seconds before you release it.
Where is the reset button on a hot water heater?
Somewhere on your electric water heater, you’ll find a reset button. It’s usually red and often located near the thermostat. It may also be hidden behind a removable metal panel on the unit—and then behind some insulation. Once you find the button, push and release it.
