Water Heater Pilot Light Troubleshooting

Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a rheem water heater won t light or stay lit there are other reasons as well some easier to correct than others.

Water heater pilot light troubleshooting.

Your heater s pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. Without this flame there would be no heat and thus no warm water. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Example tank is a john wood 40 gallo.

If this pilot light ever goes out. Gas heater pilot light troubleshooting. Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off. Gas heaters whether they warm up air or water in a home rely on a pilot light to trigger the flame of the actual heater.

When the water heater pilot light goes out first try relighting it following the directions on the water heater label. To prevent problems with the water heater pilot light it is crucial to read the manufacturer s instructions carefully especially how to maintain the gas water heaters and how to light the pilot. A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door. Common problems and how to fix them.

Usually the first warning. If the pilot doesn t relight if it goes out right after lighting or if the pilot light keeps going out by far the most common. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting article topics gas hot water heater pilot light. How to diagnose and repair a faulty atmospherically vented gas fired water heater.

Otherwise if the pilot light is not functioning correctly the unit won t turn on and you won t have hot water. The first sign of trouble with your water heater s pilot light is usually a cold shower. How to light the pilot for a gas hot water heater. Most gas hot water heaters us a pilot light to ignite the burner.

There are some more expensive models that use electronic ignition. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting always seems to start with the pilot light. Tank type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas.

The pilot light is the heart of your water heater.