Gas Water Heater Pilot Light Troubleshooting

A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the.

Gas water heater pilot light troubleshooting.

If your hot water heater suddenly stops working chances are a bad thermocouple has shut off the gas to the pilot light. Your heater s pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. Most gas hot water heaters us a pilot light to ignite the burner. With the other hand use a long handled lighter to apply flame to the end of the pilot light gas tube.

Replacement is an easy diy repair. If this pilot light ever goes out. It starts the whole process by first supplying a small amount of gas to the pilot light. The main control valve is responsible for regulating the heater s gas and water pressure.

Gas hot water heater troubleshooting always seems to start with the pilot light. Gas heaters whether they warm up air or water in a home rely on a pilot light to trigger the flame of the actual heater. A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. Watch carefully for a gas flame to appear at the end of the pilot light tube.

Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters. A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. A pilot light is always burning while using a small amount of gas either a water heater is running or not.

Turn the gas control knob to the pilot setting then depress the button and hold it there. With standard pilot light water heaters. Troubleshooting low performance insufficient hot water pilot light problems improper gas combustion issues with the pilot light thermocouple gas burner venting and other common issues. Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off.

Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a rheem water heater won t light or stay lit there are other reasons as well some easier to correct than others. Once there is a need for heating or call from a thermostat a gas control valve releases the gas into the main burner and the pilot light ignites the gas. There are some more expensive models that use electronic ignition. A guide to gas water heater troubleshooting.

The most common problems. When the pilot light goes out for any reason the thermocouple closes the burner s gas supply valve to prevent gas escaping and filling your house. Light the pilot. Gas heater pilot light troubleshooting.