The pilot light on hot water heater is the source of energy and warmth in your water heater. When the pilot light on the water heater is on, it is able to ignite the gas burner located in most gas water heaters, which heats the water inside your tank.
How to light a water heater with electronic pilot?
Steps to Lighting a Water Heater With an Electronic Pilot
- Prepare your water heater. Locate your water heater’s gas control assembly. ...
- Adjust the water heater’s temperature setting to the lowest possible level. Locate the water heater’s temperature control knob and turn it counterclockwise (to the left). ...
- Turn the control knob or dial to ‘pilot.’. ...
- Press and hold the pilot button. ...
How to start the pilot light on my water heater?
How to Start the Pilot Light on My Water Heater
- Check the Pilot Light. First, check that the pilot light has indeed gone out by removing the access panel at the bottom of your tank water heater.
- Check for Gas Leaks. Before you attempt to relight the pilot, you should always check for a gas leak. ...
- Find an Ignition Source. ...
- Lighting the Pilot. ...
- Restarting Your Gas Water Heater. ...
Does a water heater have a pilot light?
The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label.
Do electric stoves have pilot lights?
The heat from the filament lights the gas. In this regard, do electric stoves have a pilot light? Stoves with electric pilot lights or electronic ignition do not have pilot lights that burn continually. These stoves are designed to light when the burners are turned on and the electronic ignition is activated.
Do all hot 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.
Will water heater work if pilot light goes out?
If the pilot isn't lit anymore, then the heater won't be able to keep the water warm, and you may experience cold water when you take a shower or try to get hot water from the tap. Usually, cold water is a sign that the pilot has gone out, and many will go to check the heater to see if the pilot is no longer lit.
Do gas water heaters use a pilot light?
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. When the water heater needs to heat the water within the tank, it ignites the gas burner with the help of the pilot light. Think of the pilot light like a match.
Do water heaters have automatic pilot?
Understanding how your HVAC and water heater operate is part of home ownership. One component that varies from system to system is the type of pilot light. Most newer models use an Electronic Ignition System (or automatic) while older models likely have a standing pilot light.
Can I relight the pilot light by myself?
Relight the pilot light. Turn the knob to “Pilot,” and let gas to flow to the pilot. Light a lighter or match, then push in the reset button. Hold your flame to the pilot light's opening. Keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily.
Will you smell gas if pilot light goes out?
That said, even the failsafe system can malfunction, so any time your pilot is out, be sure to carefully check for any strong odors of gas (smells kind of like sulfur, or rotten eggs). If you notice a gas smell, do not attempt to relight the pilot!
How do I know if my water heater pilot light is out?
The pilot light on most water heaters is located at the base of the unit, below the gas control valve. Open the access panel or door to the burner chamber and look inside. There, you'll find the pilot light tube, which should have a steady blue flame. If you don't see the flame, the pilot light is out.
How do you restart a gas water heater?
0:332:57Relight a Natural Gas Water Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart the procedure over at an arm's length turned the control knob slowly from pilot to on turn theMoreStart the procedure over at an arm's length turned the control knob slowly from pilot to on turn the hot water thermostat back to its original position.
What do you do when your hot water heater pilot light goes out?
When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. 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 light a water heater manually?
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.
How do you relight a water heater?
1:544:16How To Relight A Water Heater Pilot Light - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf it didn't light press the igniter. Button again until you see a flame appear for the pilot. LightMoreIf it didn't light press the igniter. Button again until you see a flame appear for the pilot. Light if it did light just continue to hold the gas control knob until you see the indicator.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is OutLocate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that's easily visible. ... 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.
What do you do when your hot water heater pilot light goes out?
When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. 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.
How do I know if my water heater pilot light is out?
The pilot light on most water heaters is located at the base of the unit, below the gas control valve. Open the access panel or door to the burner chamber and look inside. There, you'll find the pilot light tube, which should have a steady blue flame. If you don't see the flame, the pilot light is out.
What do you do when your pilot light goes out?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
Why did my pilot light go out on my hot water heater?
The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.
✅ Is it dangerous if the pilot light goes out on water heater?
Not necessarily. The thermocouple should automatically shut off the gas supply, mitigating any danger. However, if you do smell gas, call a plumber...
✅ What is a thermocouple?
This is a small copper wire the ends in a small metal probe at the end of the pilot light tube that acts as the flame sensor. When this is warm, it...
✅ How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?
If the pilot will not relight at all or will not stay lit even after following the steps outlined above on this page, the thermocouple is likely ba...
✅ What happens to a water heater when water is shut off?
The water will continue to heat and cool in a standard water heater, while a tankless system will have no demand, therefore no heating done without...
✅ Can I leave my hot water tank on pilot?
Yes, this will keep your thermocouple warm, your gas supply shut off, and eliminate condensation buildup in the unit among other issues.
✅ What happens to a water heater when water is shut off?
The water will continue to heat and cool in a standard water heater, while a tankless system will have no demand, therefore no heating done without...
✅ How long does it take to get hot water?
30-40 minutes for a standard water heater and no wait at all for tankless water heaters as they heat water on demand.
What is the pilot light on a water heater?
The pilot light on hot water heater is the source of energy and warmth in your water heater. When the pilot light on the water heater is on, it is able to ignite the gas burner located in most gas water heaters, which heats the water inside your tank.
How to make sure pilot light stays lit?
When the flame is lit, continue to press down on the gas button for a minute or so to make sure that the pilot light on hot water heater would stay lit.
What do you need to ignite a pilot light?
A lighter – In many cases, you will need a lighter to ignite the pilot light.
How long does it take for hot water to flow?
After you relight the pilot light, it might take a while for the water to be fully heated, but in about 40 minutes to an hour, your hot water should be flowing as if nothing ever happened.
Why is the pilot light on a tankless water heater wasted?
The pilot light of a tankless water heater is wasted energy because it is not heating water until demand calls for it and the main burner ignites. For a storage water heater, the pilot light serves as standby heat, keeping the water warm at times of no demand.
How does a tankless water heater work?
A tankless water heater, or on-demand water heater, has no storage tank. Opening a hot-water faucet creates a flow of water through the water heater. This triggers the ignition of the gas burner that heats between 1 and 5 gallons of water per minute depending on the make and model.
What is a spark in a water heater?
A spark produced from an electrical current ignites the gas in a pilotless water heater. Think of it as the equivalent of the sparkplug in the car igniting the fuel mix in the engine cylinder. The electricity for the spark is from a wall outlet or from an internal generator utilizing the movement of the water through the pipes to produce ...
Does Hunker have a pilotless water heater?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Natural gas water heaters that do not have a continuously burning flame or pilot light are said to be pilotless. This reduces the amount of energy needed by the appliance, conserving fuel and reducing emissions. The technology is limited to on-demand water heaters.
Is a pilotless water heater a hazard?
A pilotless water heater has no continuous flame that can pose a hazard. This is important in specialized applications such as recreational vehicles.
What are the warnings of a faulty water heater?
Suppose you notice that your hot water doesn’t work after you’ve used it in the past. Or if you see that there is no pilot light present when the system has been on, this could be a sign of faulty wiring. It would help if you also kept an eye out for any leaking gas near your water heater due to corrosion.
Why is pilot mode important?
This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Similarly, the pilot mode is essential when the pilot light goes out. Instead of waiting for it to heat up again, you can just re-light your pilot with a match or lighter.
