How To Start The Pilot On A Water Heater

Dan has been in the HVAC industry for 23 years with experience ranging from installation and service to sales and distribution.

how-to-light-the-pilot-on-your-water-heater

The Airplane pilot Light of a Water Heater

Lighting the pilot on a hot water tank may seem simple to some, but as a domicile service provider for over 15 years, I can tell you that I'd made more than a few dollars performing this task for people.

Though many modern gas called-for appliances take switched over to hot surface or electronic ignition, at that place are still a lot of standing pilot systems manufactured and in use today. If you lot own one of these standing pilot blazon systems, you should know how to check and light your pilot.

The following steps will explain how to calorie-free your pilot, what to look for when doing and so, and a few different methods you lot tin can utilize to get the fire going.

This is what a sealed combustion chamber might look like on this type of unit. The little square here in the panel is your looking glass. — This is what a sealed combustion chamber might look like on this type of unit of measurement. The picayune square here in the console is your looking drinking glass.

Notice the differences on this type of control module compared to the older tank style. The small knob on top is a control and a button. — Notice the differences on this blazon of command module compared to the older tank style. The minor knob on top is a command and a push button.

A top view so that you can see the electronic spark button to the left. — A tiptop view so that yous can see the electronic spark push button to the left.

Lighting a Sealed Combustion Pilot

Nosotros'll showtime with the more than mod sealed combustion type hot water tank organization. With a sealed combustion chamber, there is no need to (nor should yous) access the burner assembly. Everything you demand to light this airplane pilot is mounted correct to the burner control module and there is a looking glass in the access panel that you can use to visually verify ignition. This access is bolted shut for a reason and should simply be accessed past a licensed professional.

Turn the gas control knob on top to the "pilot" position.
Press and hold downwards the control knob itself to allow gas catamenia.
Printing the electronic spark button located on or mounted to your control module until you hear information technology click. You may need to click it a few times before the pilot is lit as at that place may exist a fleck of air in the line that takes a few seconds to "bleed" out.
Visually confirm ignition and keep holding downwardly the knob for approximately 30-45 seconds so that the pilot can heat upwards the thermocouple plenty to confirm ignition to the thermostat in the control module. If the thermocouple doesn't heat up enough, the airplane pilot will become back out.
Let go of the control knob and visually confirm that the pilot stayed lit.
Turn the gas control knob to the "on" position. If the airplane pilot was out long enough for the water temperature to cool, the burners should kicking on inside seconds. If the water hasn't cooled, there may be no call for the burners to come on. Don't be surprised if it doesn't fire up right abroad.

With the notch lined up with the button and the "pilot" in line with the indicator, you are in the proper position. — With the notch lined up with the push button and the "pilot" in line with the indicator, you are in the proper position.

Here is what an open combustion burner assembly might look like. I've removed the 2 panels so you can see what they look like. — Here is what an open up combustion burner assembly might wait like. I've removed the 2 panels so you tin meet what they await like.

The copper line you see here in this photo leads to the thermocouple and the aluminum tubing leads to the orifice where you'll place your lighter. The 2 come together inside the chamber. — The copper line yous see here in this photo leads to the thermocouple and the aluminum tubing leads to the orifice where y'all'll place your lighter. The ii come together inside the bedroom.

Lighting an Open Combustion Pilot

This procedure is similar to the sealed combustion tank except that you will need to provide the flame to low-cal the pilot yourself instead of having an electronic ignition practise information technology for you.

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Things You Can Utilize to Light a Pilot Light

Long stemmed lighter
Long stemmed matches
Short matches with hemostatic clamp
A long, thin candle

Don't Have a Lighter or Matches?

Effort using lighting a long slim candle on the stove and lighting the pilot with that. Lay tin foil underneath the pilot when doing this as to avoid wax dripping on the bottom of the chamber.

A Quick Water Heater Inspection Y'all Can Practice

Check around the area and the bottom of the unit of measurement for dampness and rust (a.k.a. blisters). This could exist telling you to prepare for a new tank.
Cheque that your T&P valve is working.
Feel the tank. Is it warm? If so, y'all may want to consider adding a layer of insulation.
Test your thermostat command. You can practise this by turning it all the way down to shut of the burners if they're on. The burners should close downwards at this point and so when you turn it back upward, they should come dorsum on within seconds. If not, y'all control may exist bad and yous should contact a professional.
Lastly, you lot may want to ask yourself when, "When was the concluding time I flushed my water heater?" This is something that should exist done on a yearly ground.

Author'south Qualifications

fifteen years HVAC Installation and Service
v years home comeback contractor
2+ years involved in product safety, performance and certification testing
EPA & OSHA certification
Completed coursework in electrical theory, thermodynamics, and refrigeration

This commodity is authentic and truthful to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or amusement purposes simply and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business organisation, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Dan Reed (author) on April 22, 2012:

Thank you Mmargie. It can be nerve racking for those who've never done it before merely I ever accept a lot of time thinking nigh my instructions and choosing topics that are safe for anyone to try if the instructions are followed.

Mmargie1966 from Gainesville, GA on April 21, 2012:

Voted upward and interesting. I have always been afraid of gas appliances. I had a gas stove once, and my husband had to light it...lol

I feel a bit meliorate reading specific instructions on your hub, although, I don't have any gas appliances at this time. I volition keep this hub saved in case that changes.