Gas Water Heater Pilot Light Troubleshooting

Turn the gas control knob to the pilot setting then depress the button and hold it there.

Gas water heater pilot light troubleshooting.

Watch carefully for a gas flame to appear at the end of the pilot light tube. Most gas hot water heaters us a pilot light to ignite the burner. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. When the pilot light goes out for any reason the thermocouple closes the burner s gas supply valve to prevent gas escaping and filling your house.

Gas heaters whether they warm up air or water in a home rely on a pilot light to trigger the flame of the actual heater. If the gas is lit it fully opens the main valve to provide a steady supply of gas. It starts the whole process by first supplying a small amount of gas to the pilot light. A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner.

Once there is a need for heating or call from a thermostat a gas control valve releases the gas into the main burner and the pilot light ignites the gas. It s the soul of your water heater. Light the pilot. Gas heater pilot light troubleshooting.

A pilot light is always burning while using a small amount of gas either a water heater is running or not. The main control valve is responsible for regulating the heater s gas and water pressure. With the other hand use a long handled lighter to apply flame to the end of the pilot light gas tube. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the.

If this pilot light ever goes out. Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off. Your heater s pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. The most common problems.

Replacement is an easy diy repair. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting always seems to start with the pilot light. With standard pilot light water heaters. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting article topics gas hot water heater pilot light.

Troubleshooting low performance insufficient hot water pilot light problems improper gas combustion issues with the pilot light thermocouple gas burner venting and other common issues. If your hot water heater suddenly stops working chances are a bad thermocouple has shut off the gas to the pilot light. There are some more expensive models that use electronic ignition. A guide to gas water heater troubleshooting.