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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.
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.
Can I light my hot water heater manually?
Lighting the Pilot Light on a Manual Hot Water Heater If your hot water heater is a manual, grab a long lighter. Now, hold the pilot dial down while you light the burner. You’re going to hold the pilot button down for at least 30 seconds before you release it.
What causes the pilot light to go out on a 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 gas heater not igniting?
One of the most common reasons for your gas heater not igniting or stopped working is because its thermostat is either off or not working properly. Therefore, make sure you check the thermostat, and if it is off, then turn it on while setting it on heat mode (5 degrees above your room temperature, at least).
How do you reset an electric water heater?
Somewhere on your electric water heater, you’ll find a reset button. It’s usually red and often located near the thermostat. It may also be hidden behind a removable metal panel on the unit—and then behind some insulation. Once you find the button, push and release it.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Where is my flame sensor?
A furnace flame sensor is a very basic part of your furnace. It’s located on the burner assembly and is just a thin metallic rod. It’s usually bent, and it sits just in front of the pilot flame inside the furnace.
How do you trick a flame sensor?
Luckily, making such a check is very easy: Take a multimeter with microamps (µA) measuring system. Keep the furnace system turned on. Connect it to the wire that is leading to the gas valve. Connect the other side of the multimeter to the sensor terminal. Take the lead away from the flame sensor.
How do you clean a clogged pilot light?
Use your pliers or wrench to remove the pilot light and thermocouple from the bracket. Using the wire brush, brush away the carbon buildup and soot from both components. For hard to reach areas and stubborn buildup, use the metal file. Wipe away dust with a soft cloth or burst of compressed air.
How do you clear a pilot tube obstruction?
How to Fix a Plugged Pilot Hole on a Water Heater Remove the cover plate at the bottom of the water heater. Turn the gas control to the “Off” position. Locate the pilot tube. Clean the pilot hole by brushing it with a stiff wire brush. Screw the bracket back onto the valve and turn on the gas.
What does a pilot tube do on a water heater?
The Pilot tube supplies gas to the pilot light for combustion. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris.
Is there a reset button on an electric water heater?
Somewhere on your electric water heater, you’ll find a reset button. It’s usually red and often located near the thermostat. It may also be hidden behind a removable metal panel on the unit—and then behind some insulation. Once you find the button, push and release it.
What to check when there’s no hot water?
If there is no hot water, it probably means that the tank is leaking. An empty tank is a serious problem and is not at all energy efficient. Inspect the connections between the appliance and its valves as well as the pipes. If those are secure, check the tank’s compartment.
