Table of Contents
To turn the water heater pilot light off, set the heater to the lowest temperature possible. Locate the dial first on the side of the water heater, and spin it clockwise to reduce the temperature until it is as low as possible. Then switch the button on the heater to the Off position.
Should I turn off the pilot light on my water heater?
Whenever you’re going out away for an extended period of time, it’s always a good idea to turn off your gas water heater. Shutting off your gas water heater when you won’t be using it for a while saves on gas and helps prevent overheating problems that might arise when you aren’t there to take care of them.
Is it OK to turn off pilot light?
A little heat is produced when your pilot light is on so turning it off in summer can help reduce the heat inside your home. The less heat there is, the less you have to use your air conditioner needs to cool down the house. You can get savings and conserve energy if you turn off your pilot light.
Should pilot light on water heater always be on?
The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit. But if the pilot flame goes out, then the gas would still be released. After a while, the gas could collect in your home and become a health hazard.
How do I turn off the gas to my water heater?
To find a water heaters’ gas shut off valve look for a single handle valve that would usually be located at the bottom of the unit about a foot or two out. The valve will look similar to the one in the image below. Turn this valve in the clockwise position to turn the gas off.
Why does the pilot light on a water heater?
The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.
Are pilot lights always on?
The little flame you see in your gas fireplace after you have turned it off is called a pilot light. A Standing Pilot Light runs constantly, whether your fireplace is on or off. Most of today’s gas direct vent fireplaces have an innovation called intermittent pilot ignition.
How do I shut off the gas to my house?
There is a shut-off valve running parallel with the pipe, usually located about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Take a 12-inch or larger adjustable wrench, and turn the valve 1/4 turn in either direction, until the valve is crosswise to the pipe.
Can a pilot light cause a fire?
When the appliance is turned on, a valve releases more gas, which is ignited by the pilot light. If this leak continues, its concentration may reach a point where a spark – such as that from a cigarette lighter, static electricity, or even the pilot light itself as it is re-lit – will cause a fire or even an explosion.
How much does it cost to keep a pilot light on?
Running a pilot light for 1 hour costs about 1 cent (0.62 cent/hour for natural gas and 1.64 cent/hour for propane). Monthly costs of running a pilot light range from $4.49/month (natural gas) to $11.34/month (propane).
Can a pilot light cause carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is only produced when fuel of any type; oil, gas, wood or coal is burned. And a pilot light out of adjustment can produce carbon monoxide gas. The amount produced by even a badly maladjusted pilot is small because the flame size is also small.
Will gas leak if pilot light is off?
If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater, you will not have a gas leak. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.
How do you tell if the pilot light is out on a water heater?
Three quick ways to tell if your water heater’s pilot light is out are: Your Water is Cold. Blinking Light or Error Message. You Can’t See the Flame.
Can a water heater explode?
Water heater explosions are terrifying, and they can happen. Anything that causes excess pressure on your water heating system, such as a poor anode rod, or a lot of sediment buildup, can all cause your water heater to explode. A gas leak can also cause your water heater to explode because it is a tremendous fire risk.
Where is the gas shut off valve located?
Your main shut off valve is located just before the gas meter. This is called your “street side valve”. On the inside of your house, where the pipe enters your house, you can find your “house side valve.” This ball valve is attached to a black iron pipe.
Can water heater explode if turned off?
If this valve is leaking, it indicates that the pressure is too high inside the water tank, and can explode if too much builds. The water heater should be turned off immediately if you notice this. This indicates that enough sediment has built up inside for it to become a blockage, and can cause an explosion.
Should you turn off gas water heater?
You do not need to shut off your water heater if the water is off in most cases. However, in the unlikely case that you’ve had your water shut off for an extended period of time and used all the water in your water heater tank, then it is necessary to turn off the water heater.
