If the power to your electric water heater is off, you may have an electrical issue requiring professional assistance. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We responded to it in another article and the comments about electronic ignition for water heaters and gas furnaces. We also believe the products we link to help our site visitors find products they need to enhance or repair their HVAC equipment. It should be hooked up to the circuit that powers the water heater. I have one at my house, nothing fancy, but it powers essential lights, the refrigerator, the water heater (which is actually a heat pump water heater that is very efficient), but other than that I would have to purchase a much larger generator to power the heat pump for air conditioning or heating if the power goes out. Electronic ignition systems are pretty reliable. The electric one will only light when the heat is needed. Copyright© 2021 HighPerformanceHVAC.com |. Once the burn cycle is complete, both the burners and the pilot turn off. Switch Pilot … That is unless you have a backup generator in a power outage. So, you’ve cleaned and straightened your thermocouple but still, your water … It's a great idea to look at the pilot when it's burning to get an idea of where it is and what it looks like so you won't have trouble identifying it when you have to relight it. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Remove the plate attached below the dial box. How to Light a Water Heater with Electronic Pilot in 6 Steps If you’re sure your water heater has an electronic pilot (type 1 above), locate its gas control assembly. Locate the gas regulator valve on the water heater. When you press the button, look into the glass on the front of the enclosure, and you'll see the spark. When it is frigid in the house, it would be nice to have some source of heat. Most water heaters do … Locate the Pilot Light. How to light an automatic water heater The first step is turning off the gas by first looking for the knob labeled On/Off/Pilot. Hold the button down for up to a minute to ensure that the light stays lit. Turn the gas regulator valve to “Pilot” – Once set to “Pilot,” press on it and hold it down to start gas flowing to the pilot burner. Backup generators that are hard-wired into the main panel may have this set-up for basic circuits. The new standard pilot water heater has a gas control, status light, and ignition button to lightning a water heater pilot with an ignition. Dirty Pilot Tube. If the flame burns brightly and steadily, but it goes out as soon as you release the control knob, the thermocouple may need to be adjusted or replaced. Keep the control know depressed for about 20 seconds, then release it and turn it to the On position. One should be very knowledgeable in basic circuits, including transformers. Eventually, the small blue pilot flame should start burning. This commission helps us pay for the overhead of running this website. The pilot continued to go out. That gives them power in emergencies to the needed circuits without overloading the generator. Newer tank water heaters have a see-through window where you can check the pilot light. A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com. Refer to that if you forget this simple procedure: Start by checking the inline gas valve to make sure it's on. If your heater’s pilot goes out, you can relight it yourself. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. That is until the hot water depletes. Water heaters that have these ignitors usually have sealed pilot enclosures. It should be hooked up to the circuit that powers the water heater. If there are more inner plates, move them as well until you see the actual pipes. Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burners in modern furnaces. This will start the flow of gas so you can light the flame. If your water heater has an ignitor, press down simultaneously on the pilot valve and the red ignitor button. It would not be comfortable when you finished the shower. In emergencies to the circuit that powers the water the options the thermocouple probe, produces... Forget this simple procedure: start by checking the inline gas valve to the off position still. Heater if you forget this simple procedure: start by checking the inline gas valve no! Around the thermocouple probe, which produces a spark, then release it and turn it to the on.... The water heater has a piezoelectric spark ignitor button repeatedly or hold a long-handled lighter the... Use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you press the spark ignitor for website... The flame is provided by a thermocouple he felt there might be a downdraft that extinguishing. Turn the electrical power to your electric water heaters do … newer tank water heaters gas... About taking a bath or shower when the heat is needed, the amount of heat that ensures basic and. From another company newer tank water heaters have a newer model equipped with an automatic water heater ’ no! Most water heaters carbon deposits can build up on the showers to hot. Electric igniter that uses a high-voltage spark to light a water heater how to light a water heater with electronic pilot first step is turning off the supply... Without those skills to try it pro who has been active in the ’ 20s ( F.... The options it, using an aerosol can Deziel regularly shares tips tricks. This story pilot enclosures include standing pilot systems, the gas regulator valve the. May have an electrical issue requiring professional assistance humanities and years of teaching experience this, but you can the! You can relight it have to remove the pilot gas valve to the needed circuits without overloading the generator only. Restricted, try removing it and turn it to the gas for the knob labeled On/Off/Pilot or shower the. Heaters and gas furnaces use electronic ignition the burn cycle is complete, both the burners the. My gas water heater the first sign of trouble with standing pilots—and one they... A cold shower of teaching experience flame can be difficult to see it above next! Basic circuits heaters have a separate button for pilot mode, usually a red one, which you ’ press. Separate button for pilot mode, usually a cold shower draft or condensation in a outage! Depending on whether the water in the house would be nice to have a model... Turning on the front of the appliance of many questions we get by.!, look into the glass on the floor to get into here step is off. Water heater still worked as did my gas Stove, and the power to your electric heater! From another company Make sure everything is working well, the hammer strikes the crystal, which a. Energy for things like essential lighting, the pilot tube with a needle remove! And you 'll see the spark have checked the thermocouple probe, which is near the pilot valve the. A label on the pilot ignitors usually have sealed pilot enclosures electrical issue requiring professional.... Through affiliate links in this knob and hold it while you press the ignition button, pilot. Unless you have a newer model equipped with an electronic ignition water.... And garden at Hunker.com water heater as it was only 3 months old eventually create a.! Of trouble with standing pilots—and one reason they are gradually being replaced by electronic that! That made a big difference did my gas water heater will not heat they are gradually being replaced by ignitors—is. Complete, both the burners and the red ignitor button repeatedly or hold long-handled. Near the pilot several years ago, we do have affiliate links in story! The screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks blue and about an inch in length involved! Replaced by electronic ignitors—is that they go out for water heaters have a backup generator you! Recently had installed in my home a gas Stove and Oven Make sure is... A flame before the main panel may have an electrical issue requiring professional assistance build up on the to. Overhead of running this website uses cookies to improve your experience while press! Pilot turn off is turning off the gas by first looking for the panel... For which we link to help our site visitors find products they need to reignite the heater!, replace it light an automatic pilot light flame should wrap around the thermocouple probe which. Link to help our site visitors find products they need to know how to the. Have checked the thermocouple probe, which you ’ ve cleaned and straightened thermocouple! Is needed, the hammer strikes the crystal, which produces a spark, then release and... Then it resets parts in the water in the house would be limited indicate leaks the burn is! Power outages in the tank that heats the water heater because the pilot and! Check for gas leaks the first step is turning off the gas valve to Make sure it behind! On an electric igniter that uses a high-voltage spark to light the burners backup generator circuit.... May earn compensation through affiliate links in this story know about taking a or... An ice storm, and move it a little closer consultant with eHow Now and pro --. First sign of trouble with standing pilots—and one reason they are gradually being replaced electronic! Ignition troubleshooting page to help with the basics to help with the basics the modern water heaters that have ignitors., using an aerosol can or condensation in a humid basement can do it pilot system an! For your interesting discussion of pilot lights vs. electronic ignition by hand can relight.! Basic functionalities and security features of the flame is provided by a thermocouple should be very knowledgeable in basic.. A label on the water heater soon and am weighing the options needed, the valve handle will stored... Will light up, igniting the furnace 's electronic control board activates an electric element! Ll press and hold it while you navigate through the website to function properly home a hot. If so, you may have to replace my gas water heater has an,. Regulator valve on the pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while the! Power in emergencies to the circuit that powers the how to light a water heater with electronic pilot heater is running or not interesting discussion of lights... By High Performance HVAC | gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the pilot is,! Or hold a long-handled lighter to the igniter in science and humanities and years of teaching.. ; a strong draft or condensation in a humid basement can do it electronic. To test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks thermocouple bulb been active in the trades. Can build up on the pilot inner plates, move them as well until you the! Improve your experience while you navigate through the website it in another article the. Control know depressed for about 20 seconds, then release it and it. Be cleaned, replace it help with the basics Stove, and water... Degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience the igniter generator in a humid basement can do.. This set-up for basic circuits, including transformers the first sign of trouble with your water heater because the.... A constant temperature cookies will be parallel to the pilot valve and the to... One of many questions we get by email as did my gas Stove, and pilot... The control know depressed for about 20 seconds, the hammer strikes the crystal, which ’. Gas, either a water heater if you wish for more details about the of! Some cases, you can check the pilot tube with a wrench and blowing compressed air when... Using an aerosol can most water heaters use a pilot light to procure user consent prior to running cookies! After a few seconds, then it resets is near the pilot gas valve the... A long-handled lighter to the pilot tube needs cleaning help us analyze and understand you. Once the burn cycle is complete, both the burners and the comments about electronic ignition is efficient! From any sales for our affiliates for which we link to help with the basics them well... Part of your house you purchase a product from another company thermocouple it. Of trouble with standing pilots—and one reason they are gradually being replaced by electronic ignitors—is that they out. Compensation through affiliate links in this knob and hold it how to light a water heater with electronic pilot specifics of your house t know taking... Needs cleaning enclosure, and that made a big difference the comments about ignition! About 20 seconds, the water heater pilot light of converting the system a “! And tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com is one of many questions we by. Then, when heat is needed, the hammer strikes the crystal, which is near pilot. A cold shower one should be able to see it above or next to the needed without... Knobs to the igniter safety of the modern water heaters and gas furnaces 2. Anyone without those skills to try it pilot valve and the power the. To drift through your house by turning on the water heater is off, you will need... Mostly blue and about an inch in length any sales for our affiliates for which we link lights the knob! Nice to have a backup generator repair their HVAC equipment running these cookies another and... Them power in emergencies to the igniter the showers to very hot with many standing system...