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You can prevent a faulty pilot light from wind by fixing your thermocouple, gas release, protecting against downdrafts, capping your chimney, and checking your firebox cover.
Why does my water heater go out when it’s windy?
If the water heater pilot blows out when windy, then the thermocouple is might be responsible for that. It is the flame sensor and maintaining the flame is its responsibility. Due to excessive use, the device can be dirty, broken, or misaligned. A faulty thermocouple doesn’t see the flame and cut off the gas supply.
Can wind cause a pilot light to go out?
Being exposed to drafts or wind – Most pilot lights simply blow out. Luckily, this is one of the easiest problems to fix.
Why does my hot water tank pilot blowout?
The first and most likely reason why you water heater pilot light keeps going out is because of a broken or misplaced thermocouple. However, if the cover to the air vent is rusted or otherwise compromised, a downdraft can form that can be strong enough to blow out your pilot light.
How do I stop my furnace pilot light from blowing out?
Airflow. If it’s easy to restart your pilot light after it blows out overnight, it’s possible you have a draft you don’t know about. You may also have a leak in the furnace’s output duct that causes air to blow the pilot light out. To prevent this from happening, keep all the air registers in your home open and clear.
Where is the thermocouple on a gas water heater?
Inside the burner compartment of your gas water heater, right in front of the pilot light, is a small metal cylinder called a thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is burning.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas furnace?
Most furnaces with electronic ignition have a device called a hot surface igniter. The difference is that the flame is only lit (by an electronic spark) when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. When the pilot light is not needed, it is completely off, saving you money on gas.
Why does my gas water heater pilot light keep going out?
Your thermocouple senses when your pilot light is burning. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame.
What would cause a pilot light to not stay lit?
The Buildup of Dirt or Debris Around The Pilot Light – Over the years it’s easy for dust, debris, and dirt to build up on the inside of the intake valve where the pilot light resides. This makes it difficult for the flame to breath and as a result causes the pilot light to go out suddenly.
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.
What is a thermocouple do?
Thermocouples are sensors used to measure temperature. A thermocouple consists of two wires, or wire legs, made from different metals. The legs are welded together at one end, into a junction, where the temperature is measured. A voltage is created when the junction senses a change in temperature.
Why does the flame keep going out on my furnace?
Your furnace has a limit switch that keeps it from running if the heat exchanger is too hot. Dirty filters, closed or blocked vents and other blockages in airflow are common causes of an overheated furnace. A bad limit switch. The limit switch may be bad and need to be replaced.
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.
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.
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.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?
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.
