You don’t want to start your day with the wind blowing out your stove pilot light or water heaters. It can be extremely inconvenient to do anything that requires hot water, especially showering.
You might wonder why this is happening and what changes you should make. I obtained the following results:
The most common cause of blowing pilot light of water heaters is a faulty thermocouple. Check to see if the problem isn’t caused by wind but by a dirty thermocouple that needs to be cleaned. Consider installing an outdoor fireplace or B-Vent extension if you live in a windy area.
Continue reading! We’ll tell you how to stop the wind from blowing out the water heater’s pilot light. It also describes how to determine if your thermocouple is failing. Let’s get started.
Why Does the Pilot Light Keep Going Out From Wind?
Drafts and Airflow:
Drafts or insufficient airflow are two major causes of pilot light extinguishment. When there is a lot of airflow near the pilot light, it might mess up the delicate balance of oxygen and gas that keeps the flame lit. This can happen if there are open windows, doors, or vents nearby, especially if the house is draughty. To fix this, cover any gaps around doors and windows and consider using draught stoppers or weatherstripping to shield your pilot light from draughts.
Clogged Components:
Dirt, dust, or debris accumulated in and around your pilot light and burner assembly might degrade its effectiveness. Regular maintenance is essential to keep these components clean. A soft brush or compressed air can be used to remove dust and debris. To avoid any potential risks, turn off the gas supply before beginning any cleaning.
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Problems With Flame Sensors:
Some gas appliances, such as furnaces, include a Flame Sensor that detects whether or not the pilot light is lit. If the flame sensor becomes clogged or malfunctions, it may cut off the gas supply, resulting in the pilot light going out. Clean the flame sensor carefully or see a specialist to diagnose and replace it if necessary.
Gas Pressure Is Low
Low gas pressure might also cause a frequent outage of the pilot light. Check with your gas provider to ensure you have enough gas. If the pressure is too low, a trained technician can raise it properly.
Also check: How To Connect Galvanized Pipe Without Threads.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Your Pilot Lights From Blowing Away In The Wind?
This problem can occur for various reasons other than wind, so in cold weather, it’s critical to devise a method to keep the pilot’s flames from being blown away by the wind.
Still, there are a few things you should look into to solve this problem.
To resolve this issue, use the checklist below.
Thermocouple:
A thermocouple controls whether the furnace or gas heater pilot light is turned on or off. When the pilot light goes out, a thermocouple quickly turns off the heater.
Relight the pilot light and turn it back on. A broken or dirty thermocouple causes this problem, so inspecting it is critical. The water will not heat if the pilot light is perfectly lit, but the thermocouple cannot see it.
Keep dirt and debris away from the thermocouple. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth to remove dirt buildup on thermocouples.
Downdraft water heaters are connected to chimneys or a ventilation system so that cold air can circulate through them and keep them running properly.
You should inspect the ventilation system if you connect your heater directly to your ventilation duct.
Unsurprisingly, your ventilation system will develop cracks or leaks over time when cool air enters, and the possibility of a downdraft returning to your heater and blowing out your pilot light increases.
Chimney Cap:
Check that the chimney cap is not corroded and is properly installed. Otherwise, you may encounter issues with the indicator lights.
If you are afraid of heights, do not attempt to change the chimney cap by climbing the chimney. Allow professionals to perform the work and inspect the chimney cap for potential issues.
The Cover Of The Combustion Chamber Of The Water Heater Must Not Leak:
The firebox cover acts as a shield, shielding the pilot light from the elements. Furthermore, it keeps warm air and other foreign objects out of the heating system.
If you’re having trouble, thoroughly inspect the firebox cover to rule out any possible vents, then caulk any openings you find with gas furnace sealant and attach them to the pilot light. Avoid affecting it in the future.
Electric Heating Element/gas Valve:
The gas release valve, like the thermocouple, is critical for starting the pilot light. If your water heater is powered by electricity rather than gas, you should inspect the electric heating components. The pilot light will illuminate and work in conjunction with a vent valve or an electric heating element. The indicator lights will not function without them.
If you smell gas from the water heater, examine the gas supply and gas release valve to see if it is clogged with dirt or debris preventing them from working properly.
Some components, particularly electric water heater parts, may fail prematurely and require replacement over time.
How Can I Tell If My Thermocouple Is Faulty?
When the water heater or another device connected to it turns off the pilot light, a broken thermocouple is usually to blame. If it’s not the wind causing your Check Engine Light to illuminate, you should inspect your thermocouple.
A thermocouple with a probe and a fitting to screw into a gas valve. If your thermocouple is functioning properly, you should be able to measure currents ranging from 30 to 40 millivolts. You can perform this test using a multimeter. However, helpers are extremely beneficial in maintaining the pilot flame.
To Determine If Your Thermocouple Is Failing, Follow These Simple Steps.
- Remove the thermocouple from the bracket of the gas valve.
- Carefully adjust your multimeter to read in millivolts.
- Light the pilot light and turn on the gas to create a flame.
- Heat the probe for about 1 minute.
- Connect one lead of the multimeter to the thermocouple shaft and the other to the connector.
- The measurement should be less than 25 millivolts. Otherwise, the thermocouple is faulty.
It is important to note that performing these steps yourself is never a bad idea. However, keep in mind that HVAC specialists are well-versed in this area.
How Do I Activate The Water Heater Pilot Light?
The pilot light on a Gas Water Heater will continuously illuminate, igniting the burner when heat is required. Because of air bubbles in the gas line, the pilot flame can run out of fuel and disappear.
High winds can also cause the heater indicator lights on the enclosure’s exterior to go out. Stopping wind blowing and relighting your water heater is simple with the right ignition source.
To Properly Relight The Check Pilot Light, Follow The Simple Steps Below.
- First, turn off the water Heatercontrol knob and wait 5 minutes for the gas or oil to flow.
- A white cover protects the tank’s bottom. To access the pilot tube, remove it and pull out the burner.
- Find the pilot light within the burner chamber.
- Pipes are typically rectangular and have a diameter of 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
- Turn the control knob to PILOT and hold the red handle next to it.
- Hold the ignition button for about a minute and light the pilot light with a match or pistol lighter.
- After 1 minute, release the red handle to reveal the flame.
Repeat until the pilot light has stabilized. Consider installing an outdoor fireplace or B-Vent extension if you live in a windy area.
Also check: Do I Need a Special Thermostat for A Heat Pump?
Conclusion:
Keeping the water heater in good working order is critical to provide hot water. Whether wind or other factors are causing your Check Engine Light to illuminate, determining the root cause is vital.
We hope the detailed information above helped keep your water heater’s pilot light from being blown away by the wind. We hope that the information you’ve gained will help you keep your gas water heater in good working order.
FAQs
Will gas leak if the pilot light is off?
Even though many people are concerned about this, boilers are designed to turn off the gas to the pilot light if it goes out. Extinguished pilot light does not cause a gas leak, but the cause of a failed pilot light must be determined.
Why might the pilot light go out unexpectedly?
The pilot light can be extinguished by various factors, including a faulty heating element, low gas pressure, strong winds, thermocouples, broken gas valves, or heat exchangers. If you suspect a serious problem, do not be afraid to seek professional assistance.
How do I prevent the pilot light from going out?
If it’s dirty, turn off the gas and let the appliance cool before cleaning it with fine-grain sandpaper. When finished, restart the engine and relight the pilot. If dirt or grime was the source of the problem, your light should no longer be out.
Why does the pilot light on my water heater keep going out?
If the combustion chamber, which houses the gas burner at the base of the water heater, is not properly sealed, a strong draught or a change in outside air pressure can consistently extinguish the pilot light.
