How To Light A Pilot Light Hot Water Heater

Dan has been in the HVAC manufacture 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 Lite of a H2o Heater

Lighting the pilot on a hot h2o tank may seem simple to some, simply as a home service provider for over 15 years, I tin tell you that I'd made more than a few dollars performing this job for people.

Though many mod gas called-for appliances have switched over to hot surface or electronic ignition, there are still a lot of standing pilot systems manufactured and in use today. If y'all ain ane of these standing pilot type 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 so, and a few unlike methods yous can utilize to go 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 similar on this type of unit of measurement. The little square hither in the panel 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 type of command module compared to the older tank style. The small knob on top is a control and a button.

A top view so that you can see the electronic spark button to the left. — A superlative view so that you can run across the electronic spark button to the left.

Lighting a Sealed Combustion Pilot

We'll start with the more than mod sealed combustion type hot water tank system. With a sealed combustion chamber, there is no demand to (nor should you) access the burner assembly. Everything you need to low-cal this pilot is mounted right to the burner control module and at that place is a looking glass in the admission console that yous can use to visually verify ignition. This access is bolted close for a reason and should simply be accessed by a licensed professional person.

Turn the gas control knob on top to the "pilot" position.
Press and concord down the control knob itself to allow gas flow.
Printing the electronic spark button located on or mounted to your control module until you hear it click. You may need to click it a few times earlier the pilot is lit as there may be a scrap of air in the line that takes a few seconds to "bleed" out.
Visually confirm ignition and keep belongings downwardly the knob for approximately 30-45 seconds then that the pilot tin heat up the thermocouple enough to ostend ignition to the thermostat in the control module. If the thermocouple doesn't heat upward 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 pilot was out long plenty for the h2o temperature to cool, the burners should boot on within seconds. If the water hasn't cooled, at that place may be no telephone call for the burners to come up 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.

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 combustion burner associates might look like. I've removed the 2 panels and so you lot can encounter what they wait similar.

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 you encounter here in this photo leads to the thermocouple and the aluminum tubing leads to the orifice where y'all'll place your lighter. The 2 come together inside the chamber.

Lighting an Open Combustion Pilot

This procedure is similar to the sealed combustion tank except that y'all will need to provide the flame to lite the pilot yourself instead of having an electronic ignition do it for you.

Roll to Continue

Things You Can Use to Lite a Airplane pilot Calorie-free

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

Don't Have a Lighter or Matches?

Try using lighting a long slim candle on the stove and lighting the airplane pilot with that. Lay tin foil underneath the pilot when doing this as to avert wax dripping on the lesser of the sleeping accommodation.

A Quick Water Heater Inspection You Can Exercise

Check around the expanse and the lesser of the unit for dampness and rust (a.thou.a. blisters). This could be telling y'all to fix for a new tank.
Check that your T&P valve is working.
Feel the tank. Is it warm? If so, you may want to consider calculation a layer of insulation.
Test your thermostat control. You can do this past turning it all the way down to shut of the burners if they're on. The burners should shut down at this point and then when you plough it back up, they should come up back on inside seconds. If not, you control may be bad and you should contact a professional.
Lastly, you may desire to ask yourself when, "When was the last fourth dimension I flushed my water heater?" This is something that should be done on a yearly basis.

Author's Qualifications

15 years HVAC Installation and Service
five years dwelling house improvement contractor
ii+ years involved in product safety, performance and certification testing
EPA & OSHA certification
Completed coursework in electrical theory, thermodynamics, and refrigeration

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes merely and does non substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business organisation, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Dan Reed (writer) on April 22, 2012:

Thanks Mmargie. It can be nerve racking for those who've never washed information technology before simply I always take a lot of time thinking near my instructions and choosing topics that are safe for anyone to attempt if the instructions are followed.

Mmargie1966 from Gainesville, GA on Apr 21, 2012:

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

I feel a chip amend reading specific instructions on your hub, although, I don't accept whatever gas appliances at this time. I volition keep this hub saved in case that changes.