The pilot light on your water heater is a tiny but crucial flame that lights the main burner and gives you hot water. A flame that burns continuously is a pilot light. It is in charge of starting the burner on your hot water heater that runs on gas. In essence, your house will run out of hot water if the pilot light goes out. One day, you might have to light it again. Relighting the pilot light is useful for homeowners, whether it went out due to an interruption in the gas supply or other issues. How to relight pilot light on the water heater? After reading and following the instructions in this article, you will be able to relight the pilot light.
Can I Relight The Pilot Light Myself?
Most of the time, you should have no trouble lighting the pilot light on your own. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, though, you shouldn’t try to light it because natural gas and propane are extremely flammable and can catch fire or even explode when they come into contact with an electric spark or open flame. Leave your house right away if you smell gas, which is typically a sulfurous stench similar to rotten eggs, or if you hear a hissing sound coming from a gas line. For assistance and direction, give a call to your local gas company or fire department.
Additionally, if you have any safety concerns or are having trouble lighting the pilot yourself, don’t be afraid to call a professional to light it for you.
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What Is A Pilot Light?
A pilot light is a tiny flame that burns continuously. When lit, it is visible through the sight glass or hole at the bottom of the tank in the burner chamber. When heat is needed, it serves to ignite the gas released to the main burners.
Also, Read: What Size Tankless Water Heater For Family Of 4.
Identifying The Type Of Pilot Light:
Standing Pilot Light:
Finding out what kind of ignition system your water heater has is the first step. All water heaters used to have what is referred to as a standing pilot light. This is the only kind of pilot light that ever needs to be relit; it is a tiny flame that burns continuously to allow the gas to be ignited whenever needed.
Spark Start-Up:
A direct spark Ignition System is also used by certain water heaters. The device uses a tiny spark to ignite the gas directly at the burner rather than lighting a pilot light. With the exception of the automatic spark, this is comparable to the spark ignition system found on the majority of propane barbecue grills.
Warm Surface Sparking:
Hot-surface ignition is another method used by some water heaters. This ignition system uses a tiny metal probe that resembles a lightbulb filament in place of a spark or flame. Electricity enters the probe when the water heater needs to run a heating cycle, almost instantly turning it red hot. The gas valve opens when the probe reaches a high temperature, igniting the gas.
Also, Read: How to Drain a Water Heater without Drain Valve?
Tools:
The following tools are required :
- Flashlight for clear vision
- Lighter or matchbox
- Safety glasses
Steps To Relight Pilot Light On Water Heater:
Following are steps to relight the pilot light
Locate the Pilot Light:
Find the location of your water heater first. Once you are in front of it, check to see if there is a flame by looking at the bottom, which is typically directly below the gas valve. You might need to move a tiny metal door or plate in order to see the flame. In the event that no flame is visible, your pilot light has been extinguished.
Turning Off The Gas Supply:
Next, find your water heater’s gas valve. Usually located near the base of your water heater, this gas valve is labeled “Gas.” To let the gas escape, turn the valve to the off position and leave it there for ten minutes.
Try To Ignite:
Return to the spot where you were looking for the flame earlier. You’ll attempt to start the pilot light here.
Pressing Down The Valve:
Press down on the gas valve and turn it to the “Pilot” position. The gas valve will open as a result, releasing enough gas to light the pilot. Some water heaters have a completely different “Pilot” button or knob. If so, take the appropriate actions as indicated by the same steps. The pilot needs to be lit in the following step.
Turning On The Gas Valve:
Turning the gas valve back to the “ON” position comes after you’ve lit the pilot light and seen a flame.
Manual Lighting:
Should you need to manually light your water heater, keep your hand on the regulator knob while holding the lit end of a long barbecue lighter up to the pilot. After holding the lighter up to the pilot until it ignites, take it out.
Electronic Lighting:
Press the igniter button repeatedly while applying pressure to the regulator knob to enable electronic ignition. To ensure that the pilot is lit, keep pressing the igniter button until the indicator light comes on.
Test:
Hold down the regulator knob for ninety seconds after lighting the pilot in order to warm up the heat sensor and release any trapped air in the gas line. Release the regulator knob gradually while keeping an eye on the pilot light to make sure it doesn’t go out.
Old Vs New Water Heaters:
If your water heater is older (pre-2014), you will need to use a manual lighter to light the pilot. After completing the previous steps 1 through 4, you would light the gas with a long-handled lighter. You can light your pilot according to your age. Water heaters manufactured after 2014 don’t need to be manually lit anymore. These days, these water heaters have electric spark generators built in, which resemble gas grills. The gas is ignited by the spark produced, lighting the pilot light.
Method Of Pressing Knob:
It’s crucial to press in and turn the pilot knob with one hand, holding it there for at least ten to fifteen seconds, and then using the other hand to press the electric igniter button without taking your other hand off. The fact that homeowners didn’t hold the pilot light down long enough is one of the main causes of their inability to light the pilot.
Safety Precautions:
- Before attempting to relight it, turn the water heater valve to the “off” position and give it five minutes.
- Pay attention to your surroundings.
- If you smell gas coming from outside your appliance, DON’T try to light your pilot.
- To lessen the risk of scalding, return the temperature to normal and don’t go above local regulations.
Conclusion:
It’s not too difficult to relight the pilot light on your water heater, but you must proceed carefully and be mindful of your safety. You may make sure your water heater runs well by getting the required instruments, turning off the gas, and waiting patiently for the pilot light to ignite.
FAQs:
Can I ignite the pilot light again on my own?
Relight the pilot while maintaining pressure on the reset button. You must use a long-stemmed lighter and hold the end very close to the pilot in order to accomplish this safely. Release the reset button after the flame catches. To make sure it stays lit, watch the pilot light on your furnace for a few minutes.
How is a pilot light checked?
Take off your furnace’s front cover panel. This should reveal the pilot, which resembles a tiny single burner that is similar to a candle or a single flame on a gas stove. The pilot is out if there is no flame.
