Water Heater Pilot Light Going Out
A malfunctioning water heater pilot light is often the reason your home’s hot water supply suddenly goes cold.
If your shower or tap unexpectedly stopped producing hot water, it’s a good idea to check if there’s an issue with your water heater pilot light. Luckily for you, fixing a malfunctioning pilot light is quite easy and we’re here to show you how. Follow along with our simple guide and enjoy a hot shower again in no time.
Signs your pilot light is off
No Hot Water
Getting no hot water from your tap is a clear sign that something is wrong with your water heating system. Checking the pilot light is a good first step in troubleshooting the problem.
Of course, there are other potential reasons that you aren’t getting hot water, the most common one being that you’ve used up all the hot water in your tank. The issue could also be of greater concern than just a malfunctioning pilot light as there may be a bigger problem at hand that would require repairs.
- Blinking Pilot Light/Error State
Look for the control panel on your water heater. It’s typically at the bottom of the unit and has lights indicating its operating status.
Check your water heater’s operation manual or the sticker on the side of the unit to tell how your water heater indicates when there’s a problem with the pilot light. It may stay on, blink, or change colors depending on the brand/model of the unit.
If your light indicates that the pilot light is out, you’ve successfully identified the root of the problem.
- No Visible Flame
To check if the pilot light is lit, look into the gap at the bottom of your water heater so you can see underneath the unit. This is where the flame should be visible.
If you can’t see a lit flame and the status light indicates that the pilot light is out, then we know it’s an issue with the water heater pilot light.
Turning the Pilot Light Back On
Turning the water heater pilot light back on is a quick fix. But before you do anything, make sure that there isn’t a gas leak. If a gas leak is present and you’re reigniting the flame, you run the risk of causing an explosion.
Checking for a gas leak is as simple as sniffing around the pilot light area to check for the smell of gas. If no gas leak is present, the coast is clear and you can proceed with reigniting the pilot light.
Different water heaters have different ways of reigniting the pilot light, but the general process is the same in all cases.
Your water heater’s access panel should have a temperature knob and a notch that says “Pilot Light” or “Pilot.
Locate the pilot light notch and the ignitor button, usually on the same panel. Turn the knob and hold it to “Pilot” and push the ignitor button. If it lights correctly you will hear a click followed by a “whirring” sound. Check the gap under the unit once more to visually check if the pilot light is lit.
After relighting the pilot light, gas water heaters take about thirty minutes to heat a full tank of water, while electric units take about 80 minutes.
Tankless water heaters do not have a pilot light, so if you’re not receiving any hot water from your tankless water heater, the issue is unfortunately unrelated to this guide.
Why Does Your Pilot Light Keep Malfunctioning?
Dirt around the water heater pilot light or problems with the thermocouple are the two most common reasons for the pilot light continuously going out.
Dirty Pilot Light or Dirty Flame
Dirt on the pilot light or around its opening can cause it to continuously go out. If this is the problem you can tell by looking at the flame itself.
If the flame burns in a constant blue cone then it is operating properly. However, if the flame burns in a yellow or orange color, then it is burning dirt and other pollutants that are around the flame and as a result there is not enough combustible air.. If the flame is yellow or orange then it is not hot enough to heat your home’s water supply adequately and it is very likely to burn out.
Thermocouple Issues
Your water heater’s thermocouple is a safety component that can close the gas line that provides gas for combustion. When the system is working properly, gas flows through and burns to create heat. Your thermocouple senses when the pilot light is burning, but if the pilot light has a weak flame there won’t be enough heat generated to heat the thermocouple.
If the thermocouple senses that the pilot light keeps going out, it will turn off the gas supply to the heater. Thermocouples can accumulate debris buildup over time and malfunction, or the component could be bent away from the pilot flame causing issues in its operation. In both cases, the thermocouple will not be able to sense the pilot light and will shut off the gas supply causing you to not have hot water.
If your water heater pilot light keeps going out or won’t relight, give DeMark Home Ontario a call at 1 (855) 998-2998 and one of our trusted HVAC professionals can help you find the best solution to your water heater issue. If your water heater is in need of replacement, our team is ready to help you find the best water heater for your home and can assist you with any questions you may have related to your water heater needs. DeMark Home Ontario is here to make upgrading to a new water heater as easy and convenient as possible. We offer a free installation done by our highly trained and experienced technicians and the lowest rental rates available on the market.
Fill out our online request form or give us a call and one of our representatives will kindly get back to you with the perfect solution to your HVAC problems.
