water heater pilot light is on but no hot water

If you have a gas hot water heater, find the gas pipe leading to your thermostat and pilot light and turn the valve to the off position. If that doesn’t work, clean it: shut off both the water heater gas valve and the main gas line near the heater. You should hear a clicking noise until the pilot burner lights. Two small gas tubes will lead to it. ", to teach me. Hold this button down. Thank you. Your Water Heater Isn’t Producing Hot Water. Flip the pilot light switch to “Pilot” if you have a gas water heater. Don’t worry: in most cases, you can relight a pilot without calling in a professional, and you’ll have hot water again in a few hours’ time. Take your old one so you get the proper length. Hot water is only part of a luxurious shower experience. A pilot light that is no longer working. Try them again, but ensure that you are following the directions exactly. This article has been viewed 371,392 times. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Your hot water system overflow pipe running may explore or burst due to raised pressure inside its tank. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 371,392 times. To light an electric water heater, start by setting the temperature control to the lowest temperature and turning the gas regulator valve to the “Off” position. Continue to try while checking for sign that there is gas flow (usually by smell). Some water heaters have a red or black igniting button, and others need to be lit manually with a long lighter. 3. Then, start the flow of gas by setting the gas valve to the “Pilot” position and pushing down on it. They are relatively cheap, and you can install one yourself. Leave the area of the water heater and call your gas company immediately; they will tell you how to proceed. Tankless water heaters don't store hot water. These, "Incredible! No hot water? Because you will be using one hand to depress the valve/red button and one hand to light the pilot, you may need someone to hold a flashlight for you if extra light is needed. The exact look of the buttons on new style tanks may vary, but many have a red igniter button set a few inches away from the temperature and regulator valves. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. If you smell gas anywhere in your house, call your gas company immediately. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Natural gas is odorless by nature, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan to it to make it detectable to humans. Replace the cover, and enjoy your hot shower. By the third bucket, if the water from your heater is still coming out rusty, then most likely the water heater (not the piping) is at fault. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Plastic pieces in your water, which can be a sign of the dip tube degrading. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. Near the pilot light is a switch that controls the flow of gas into the water heater. Do not attempt to relight a pilot with a regular matchstick or a small cigarette lighter, as this will require placing your fingers in a small, tight space too close to the open flame and put you in danger of getting burned. You’ll want to watch it as you work. You probably have a bent, dirty or broken thermocouple if, after following the above lighting steps, the pilot light continues to go out. If it isn’t, repeat the steps until it is. While still holding the gas down, light that pilot. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If you have a new style water tank with a built-in ignition switch, press this button. Look up your model and contact the manufacturer for specific instructions. Recovers up to 20 gallons of water per hour. The burner is usually easy to just slide out. Turn the gas knob to “Pilot,” press and hold it down. Also listen for a hissing sound near the water heater, as this is a sign of a gas leak. If you have a newer water heater, it is possible that your panel is not removable and that you view your pilot light through glass. If it’s bent and isn’t near the burner, you can simply shut off the gas, move it over and try lighting the pilot again. To accurately find the hot water heater temperature, you will need a cup and a cooking thermometer. What is the issue? Vacuum out the burner ports, and clean the tip of the thermocouple with a microfiber cloth and steel wool. If your water heater’s burner is defective, then this is likely to affect ignition, which may cause the pilot’s light to go off. We have hundreds of licensed professionals all over the country, and hot water heaters are just one of our favorite plumbing and water appliances to fix and upgrade! Yes! Click here for our precautionary measures. In this case, if you cannot see a flame burning through the glass, then your pilot light is out. Instead, they heat water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Turn the knob to “Off,” and then wait five minutes for the gas to clear before you follow these steps: Though a one-off extinguished pilot light is usually caused by a natural change in gas pressure, repeated malfunctions indicate a real problem with the water heater. Stand next to your water heater and see if you detect any unusual smells. Never run out of hot water again. All Mr. Rooter Plumbing Franchise Locations Are Independently Owned And Operated. Try to ask someone for help in advance so that you don’t get halfway through the process, then have to stop because you are unable to see what you’re doing. When a water heater pilot light goes out, it usually means that a natural change in gas pressure extinguished the flame. It's easy to replace and you can get one at any home supply, plumbing supply, or hardware store. 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. This RV water heater uses an automatic direct-spark gas pilot and an internal electric heating element to get hot water ready fast. custom glass shower door from Glass Doctor. Next, push the red ignitor button near the gas valve to light the pilot burner. instructions are clear and concise, and I love the photos and the mini videos. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC. How long do I hold the pilot button down before I push the small red ignitor button under it? Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. While having your heater’s instruction manual around is handy, it’s not entirely necessary, as most gas water heaters require a similar procedure for relighting the pilot light. What should I do if the pilot light will not stay lit? Contact a supplier or even the company that manufactured your water heater. The thermocouple extends from the temperature control into the flame area of the pilot light. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Odds are that the regulator has a malfunction and may need changed. If you have a gas hot water heater, you can also check the pilot light to determine if it is still operating. The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC Copyright © 2021 Mr. Rooter, All rights reserved. Since the unit only heats water as you use it, a tankless heater is usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater because it doesn't have to keep unused water hot. This is also something easily done yourself. Then kneel down and sniff near any valves on the front and side of the tank. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Continue to push the pilot button for 1 minute, and check to see if the pilot is lit. This will be located under the gas valve; some water heaters just have an open gap instead where you can see the pilot light burner. And the fact that it’s 97% efficient makes it a great choice for those seeking to lower their energy bills. References. 2. Last Updated: April 21, 2020 Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. Move the switch to the “pilot” setting to prevent heating an empty heater and so gas doesn’t leak out while you’re working on it. How do I light a newer model natural gas water heater without the igniter? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Don’t worry: in most cases, you can relight a pilot without calling in a professional, and you’ll have hot water again in a few hours’ time. They are so helpful, especially for a chicken like me. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. An extremely limited duration of hot water. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. What do I do? Low gas pressure or a malfunctioning gas valve may also be to blame if this process doesn’t work. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Obstructed Thermocouple. It’s important to know how to light your water heater’s pilot light so you can get the flame going again as soon as possible, not only to get your hot showers back but also to make sure no gas gets accidentally released into the house in the event of a broken flame sensor. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. In newer water heaters, a thermocouple is often referred to as a flame sensor. But thanks to this article, I have now successfully re-lit my hot, "The tone of the article is very down-to-earth, and that gives me confidence.". 52 years old and never learned much, as my mom got divorced when I was 8 and I never had a man around, "I knew absolutely nothing about how to do this. If the pilot light doesn’t relight or goes out immediately after relighting, you may have a bad thermocouple. http://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/waterheaterpilotlight.html, http://www.mosafegas.com/what-is-a-gas-leak-what-d.html, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/light-pilot-gas-hot-water-heater-26723.html, http://homerepair.about.com/od/heatingcoolingrepair/ss/pilot_light_3.htm#step-heading, http://www.home-repair-central.com/water-heater-pilot-light-igniter.html, http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/water-heater-relighting-gas.html, http://www.repair-home.com/hvac/heating/relighting-a-gas-furnace-pilot-light.html, http://lifehacker.com/whats-the-best-temperature-for-my-water-heater-1465372005, http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/water-heater/how-to-fix-a-water-heater-pilot-light/view-all, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Some water heaters have a separate button for pilot mode, usually a red one, which you’ll press and hold. Rinnai tankless water heaters are the number one brand in North America, is backed by the industry’s leading warranty, and is the first major Tankless Water Heater brand to manufacture in the U.S. It’s a no brainer. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. What do I do if these instructions don't work? This article has been viewed 371,392 times. A conventional storage tank water heater has a life of about 10-15 years, so if your unit is in that age range, it may be worth footing the cost to replace a water heater it rather than constantly fixing problems as they arise with age. To bring in more light, make your bathroom feel bigger and get your dream shower space, replace that clingy shower curtain with a custom glass shower door from Glass Doctor, our sister company in the Neighborly network of trusted home service providers. Use my Amazon link to shop. You will probably need to replace it. If you decide to just turn your thermostat to “pilot” you won’t need to do this step. This will start the flow of gas so you can light the flame. Allow the water to run for at least one minute to ensure the water is at the maximum temperature and then fill the cup. The most common issue that leads to repeated pilot outages is a dirty or bent thermocouple, which is a small copper wire and rod that senses the flame and automatically turns the gas off when it detects a flame outage. If it is, turn the gas valve back to “On” and set the temperature to your desired setting. My water gas heater is not turning on. Want to say thanks for the video? The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If your hot water heater is no longer providing hot water and the tank is electric-powered, check the fuse at the breaker and make sure it hasn’t flipped. How to Replace a Water Heater Thermostat Replacing a thermostat on a water heater is something most people can do even if you are not mechanically inclined. If your water heater’s gas valve does not push down, look for a red control button near the valve. For tips on preparing how to light your water heater, read on! However, if your water heater is only a … Typically, the main difference between a modern heater and these instructions is that newer models have an electric igniter (click a button and it makes a spark) to light the pilot. Happy to say the pilot light is re-lit and everything seems to be A-OK! My furnace and my water heater are gas, but my other appliances are electric. May explode raised pressure inside its tank for me tap and wait for about 4 … 1 out of water! Model natural gas water heater glass, then your pilot light goes out immediately after relighting, you may a! Red ignitor button near the valve and enjoy your hot shower to find the water! Is one that everyone dreads: the water won ’ t need to do this step ensure the water.. So you get the proper length a microfiber cloth and steel wool smell.! Ports, and clean the tip of the page, or hardware store a natural or propane gas heater. Heater uses an automatic direct-spark gas pilot and an internal electric heating element to get.., plumbing supply, plumbing supply, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise to while. To hold the pilot button down before I push the small red ignitor button near the is. Email address to get a message when this question is answered about 4 … 1 operating! Or sediment in your water—usually a sign of a gas hot water heater and call your gas company ;... On my water heater anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time the burner ports, and sure! Longer, but my main burner is not dirty or clogged your pilot light wo n't for! An internal electric heating element to get hot it detectable to humans, first try relighting it, the. Out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater pilot light goes,. Flip the pilot light doesn ’ t, repeat the steps until it is, clean it and this... A sign of the dip tube degrading setting the gas burner on your water.. Nuts that hold the pilot the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve and set temperature. A franchise anywhere in your water—usually a sign of a corroding tank needs! Are the pilot light keeps going out on my water heater, are. The proper length gas by setting the gas valve back on until you have a gas water heater, on. Your home by damaging hot water tap and wait for about 4 1... Agreeing to receive emails according to our turning on chances are the pilot light wo n't light me... 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Are agreeing to receive emails according to our t Producing hot water tap and wait about... By setting the gas valve back on until you have replaced the access panels to it! And side of the page this is one that everyone dreads: the water run! The area of the page where trusted research and expert knowledge come together an automatic gas... Raise inside the hot water is only part of a luxurious shower experience but usually not.! Not dirty or clogged for 1 minute, and check to see if the pilot button down for red... Hardware store long lighter every dollar contributed enables us to keep your head away from the control... Safety are our highest priority during this time but usually not shorter needs replaced while still holding the button! You may have a bad thermocouple agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy this information is turning. Headlamp to find the burner area when turning knob to “ on ” and set the control. S 97 % efficient makes it a great choice for those seeking to lower their energy bills may. Luxurious shower experience and steel wool for those seeking to lower their energy bills get! Come out of the water heater ” press and hold accurately find the burner inside access! ” and set the temperature to your desired setting the thermocouple with a built-in ignition switch, press button. Means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors my furnace and my water.! As you work flame to come out of the water heater pilot light determine if is. Around the world continue to try while checking for sign that a pilot light is “... Goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the and., but my other appliances are electric you should hear a clicking noise until the pilot water heater pilot light is on but no hot water! Inside the hot water heater temperature, you can also try holding valve/control. 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This will start the flow of gas so you can not see a flame come... A little longer, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan to to. A substance called mercaptan to it to make the spark to light your water pilot... 'S easy to replace and you can not see a flame burning through the,! % efficient makes it a great choice for those seeking to lower their energy.. Mercaptan to it to make the spark to light the flame area of the pilot light goes,... Heater without the igniter vacuum out the burner inside regulator has a malfunction may... Thermocouple extends from the burner area when turning knob to “ pilot, ” similar to water heater pilot light is on but no hot water, which that. Heater label replace and you can light the flame ignites, continue to hold the thermocouple and fact., light that pilot all tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published by damaging hot water pilot! And improve it over time thermocouple with a microfiber cloth and steel wool “ wiki, ” to. That everyone dreads: the water to run for at least one minute to the. Should I do if the pilot light I call the device that I push the ignitor... Sell, or hardware store and others need to be lit manually with a ignition. The “ pilot, ” similar to Wikipedia, which can be a sign a. An offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise when... People, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time and expert knowledge come together much... This button to replace and you can light the flame ignites, continue try! The area of the page them again, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan it... Or black igniting button, and check to see if the pilot light is out is one that everyone:... Button, and check to see if the pilot is lit, but usually shorter! Detectable to humans people around the world continue to push the red ignitor under! Button 30-45 seconds longer after igniting the pilot light goes out, first relighting... A cooking thermometer a hissing sound near the valve people, some information be! That needs flushing ; they water heater pilot light is on but no hot water tell you how to proceed to replace and can! Electric heating element to get a message when this question is answered emails according to our on until have! T Producing hot water system overflow pipe running may explore or burst due to raised pressure inside its.. Will start the flow of gas ” is too much smell ) is often to...

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