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What do you do if your pilot light won’t light?
You need to turn the valve to the off position for at least three minutes. Once you have had the valve at off for a few minutes, switch it over to pilot setting. You will need a match that is lit. Hold it to the pilot opening and push the reset button on your pilot control.
What causes the pilot light to go out on a hot water heater?
Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame. In either case, the thermocouple will struggle to sense the pilot light and stop the gas supply.
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 I replace a thermocouple myself?
1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Then detach the thermocouple from the burner and take it with you to the home center or hardware store to ensure you buy the right replacement.
Can I relight my hot water heater?
If your heater’s pilot goes out, you can relight it yourself. Turn the gas regulator valve’s knob to “Pilot,” press down on it and hold it down. This starts the flow of gas to the pilot burner. On some water heater models, you press and hold down a separate red button to start the pilot burner gas flow.
Does gas leak if pilot light goes out?
When the pilot light goes out, it does not leak carbon monoxide gas. 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.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
How do you fix a pilot light on a gas heater?
Gas Heater Pilot Light Troubleshooting Check the Thermocouple. If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Adjust an Irregular Flame. If your pilot light is flickering and faint, you might need to adjust the flame. Check the Gas Levels. Check for a Corroded Pilot Tip. Regulate any Draft.
How do I know if my water heater pilot light is out?
When a water heater pilot light goes out, it usually means that a natural change in gas pressure extinguished the flame. The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot.
How do you light a water heater without 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.
How much does it cost to replace a water heater thermocouple?
The cost to replace the thermocouple on a water heater is $100 to $325. The thermocouple detects whether the pilot light is lit and signals the gas control valve to turn on the gas flow. Thermocouple replacement is the most common repair needed for gas tank water heaters.
How long do thermocouples last?
How to Tell if You Have a Bad Thermocouple? Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
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 a pilot light?
But first, some words of caution: –Don’t relight the pilot light if there is a strong gas odor. Close the main gas shut-off valve for your house or for the appliance with the leak and call the gas company immediately. Get everyone out of the house until the problem is corrected by gas company technicians.
Why would my pilot light go out?
Improper Venting & Airflow Sometimes a pilot light can go out as a result of some source of wind or air simply blowing it out. If this happens, there could be an issue with how your flue pipe is set up or how your system is venting.
Why does the pilot light on my gas heater keep going out?
A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.
