That is until the hot water depletes. He next raised the chimney 4 feet as he felt there might be a downdraft that was extinguishing the pilot. Refer to that if you forget this simple procedure: Start by checking the inline gas valve to make sure it's on. Furthermore, by having a backup generator, you will have power for basics in an emergency. Turn the gas knob to “Pilot,” press and hold it down. There is nothing to light on an electric water heater. Is there any way to light a water heater with electronic ignition by hand? The other tell tale sign is the wire that runs from the gas valve to the igniter. Hold the button down for up to a minute to ensure that the light stays lit. The safety of the flame is provided by a thermocouple. The best way is to have a backup generator. Piezoelectric ignitors are reliable and hardly ever wear out. You can check the instructions on your water heater or the user manual for more details about the specifics of your model. Several years ago, we had an ice storm, and the power was out for almost a week. Your email address will not be published. Your heater's pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. If you have issues bookmark us for some tips in case it goes out. It doesn't take much; a strong draft or condensation in a humid basement can do it. A pilot light is always burning while using a small amount of gas, either a water heater is running or not. 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. holding down the pilot gas valve or the red button with one hand, How to Light the Pilot Light on a Water Heater, By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Engineers Garage: Insight - How Piezoelectric Gas Lighter/Igniter Works, Mr. Rooter: How to Light a Water Heater Pilot Light. by High Performance HVAC | Gas Furnaces | 2 comments. An intermittent pilot system uses an electronically controlled high-voltage electric spark to ignite a pilot light—and subsequently the main burners_when the thermostat calls for heat. The electric one will only light when the heat is needed. The procedure varies slightly depending on whether the water heater has a piezoelectric spark ignitor for the pilot or not. The pilot is less likely to go out if it is sealed in an enclosure, but it will if the gas gets turned off for some reason. A hot surface ignition system uses an electronically controlled resistance heating element, not unlike a light bulb filament, to ignite the gas burner. That happened when the temperature outside was in the ’20s (F). Again, the best way is to have a backup generator that would power the water heater and the furnace or boiler whichever you have. While most modern gas water heaters and furnaces use electronic ignition to light the main burner, many still rely on a pilot light. Relight the pilot light. With many standing pilot systems, the gas valve needs no power. There’s no gas or pilot light involved in electric water heaters. A standing pilot ignition system features a small flame that remains lit 24/7. Some of the modern water heaters do not include standing pilot light. I don’t know about taking a bath or shower when the temperature is so low inside the house. Water heaters that have these ignitors usually have sealed pilot enclosures. The pilot flame can be difficult to see, especially when it's behind a glass enclosure. The best way is to have a backup generator. That allows the steam from the shower to drift through your house. I’m afraid the average person would not want to take the time or trouble to light an electronic ignition pilot, whether it is a water heater, boiler, or gas furnace. You'll want to turn the knob past Pilot to the Off position. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You should be able to see it above or next to the gas supply line for the pilot light. We have written another article about changing the standing pilot system to an electronic ignition system. Verify that the flame continues to burn. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It includes not being able to light the pilot light. One can still purchase a gas furnace or water heater with the old standing pilot ignition systems.These systems have been proven reliable and safe over time. Use my Amazon link to shop. If so, the valve handle will be parallel to the gas pipe. Assuming you have checked the thermocouple and it’s intact, another possibility … 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. Take a long lighter to reach the pilot. It also powers the main valve. A water heater igniter has a sparking tip that is directed at the location of the pilot light. Your email address will not be published. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The first sign of trouble with your water heater's pilot light is usually a cold shower. Note: When relit, the water heater pilot light flame should wrap around the thermocouple bulb. Want to say thanks for the video? So, you’ve cleaned and straightened your thermocouple but still, your water … There are many suggestions on preferable lighters but if you have a BBQ one, it will easily reach the burner pipes for lighting a hot water heater. Turn the knob on the gas control on the water heater to the Off position, wait a minute or two for gas to clear out of the burners, then turn it to Pilot. You need energy for things like essential lighting, the refrigerator or freezer, and hot water and heat. This will start the flow of gas so you can light the flame. There is just an electric heating element within the tank that heats the water. Keep the control know depressed for about 20 seconds, then release it and turn it to the On position. You will not need to reignite the water heater if you have a newer model equipped with an automatic pilot light. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Newer tank water heaters have a see-through window where you can check the pilot light. Set your thermostat to your desired temperature. 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. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition Answer: We have answered this question before. The con for the standing pilot is usually the thermocouple or the pilot flame where, when there is a problem, you have to troubleshoot the pilot light or test the thermocouple. It is a temperature setting. The furnace's electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high-voltage spark to light the pilot. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Inside the ignitor casing are a quartz crystal and a spring-loaded metal hammer. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 4. Or is it completely dependent on electricity? If the pilot does not light, the water heater will not heat. Once there is a need for heating (or call from a thermostat), a gas control valve releases the gas into the main burner, and the pilot light ignites the gas. Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition Comment: Thank you for your interesting discussion of pilot lights vs. electronic ignition. There is no flame, as there is no gas. When the temperature of the water falls below the preset value, the gas valve switches on gas to the burner, and the pilot ignites it. Sometimes you have to get right down on the floor to get a sight line to view it. Turn the control valve to “on”. Copyright© 2021 HighPerformanceHVAC.com |. If the power to your electric water heater is off, you may have an electrical issue requiring professional assistance. Locate the thermocouple probe, which is near the pilot orifice, and move it a little closer. Remove the plate attached below the dial box. It should be hooked up to the circuit that powers the water heater. In turn, the pilot lights the gas for the burners. A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com. The standing pilot water heater is better than an electronic ignition water heater. Relighting a Gas Stove and Oven Make sure everything is off. You will probably need a flashlight for this next part. Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burners in modern furnaces. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If it doesn’t have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites. If the water heater has a manual “ignite” button, press that to light the pilot. We responded to it in another article and the comments about electronic ignition for water heaters and gas furnaces. Required fields are marked *. I would not want anyone without those skills to try it. If your heater’s pilot goes out, you can relight it yourself. Some gas tankless water heaters use a pilot light, while others have electronic ignition. While still holding the gas down, light that pilot. Once the burn cycle is complete, both the burners and the pilot turn off. These links will lead to you purchase a product from another company. One should be very knowledgeable in basic circuits, including transformers. I show how to light a water heater with an electronic gas control. That didn’t help. Lighting the pilot light for a standing pilot gas system is possible whereas lighting the pilot for an electronic ignition system is possible if you have a backup generator or other source of power to power that circuit. If your water heater has a standing pilot, you need to know how to relight it. You could heat a part of your house by turning on the showers to very hot. I’m afraid the average person would not want to take the time or trouble to light an electronic ignition pilot, whether it is a water heater, boiler, or gas furnace. If there are more inner plates, move them as well until you see the actual pipes. Turn all of the knobs to the off position … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I may have to replace my gas water heater soon and am weighing the options. Eventually, the small blue pilot flame should start burning. It is a box attached near the bottom of the unit with a rotating control knob or dial, igniter button, status window, wiring and the gas line attached. Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition, Gas Heating for Furnaces and Boilers Basics. Electronic ignition systems are pretty reliable. Locate the Pilot Light. The new standard pilot water heater has a gas control, status light, and ignition button to lightning a water heater pilot with an ignition. Good luck to you!!! My gas water heater still worked as did my gas stove, and that made a big difference. The concept behind a piezoelectric ignitor is simple. Check for Gas Leaks Push in this knob and hold it while you press the spark ignitor button repeatedly or hold a long-handled lighter to the pilot orifice. Necessary circuits are wired into the backup generator circuit panel. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If your water heater has an ignitor, press down simultaneously on the pilot valve and the red ignitor button. For units with built-in pilot igniters – If your water heater has a built-in electric spark pilot igniter, you will find a red or black button labeled “Ignition” on the top or … These cookies do not store any personal information. It is all electric. 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. After a few seconds, the pilot will light up, igniting the furnace's burners. In the past, every gas water heater had a standing pilot, which is a small flame that has to be constantly burning for the water heater to work. That proves there is a flame before the main valve opens for the main burners. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The pilot continued to go out. Without a fan, the amount of heat delivered in the house would be limited. Dirty Pilot Tube. Most water heaters do … We also believe the products we link to help our site visitors find products they need to enhance or repair their HVAC equipment. Although I understand that electronic ignition is more efficient, I worry about not having hot water during a power outage. Necessary circuits are wired into the backup generator circuit panel. Electronic Ignition without a Pilot. You can usually do this by unscrewing the pilot tube with a wrench and blowing compressed air through it, using an aerosol can. When you press the ignition button, the hammer strikes the crystal, which produces a spark, then it resets. 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. Then, when heat is needed, the pilot light ignites the gas. Instructions for relighting the pilot on water heater are usually provided on a label on the front of the appliance. Now he installed a pilotless water heater. It should be hooked up to the circuit that powers the water heater. When you press the button, look into the glass on the front of the enclosure, and you'll see the spark. If that doesn't work, you may have to replace the thermocouple, but it's best to test it first, using a voltmeter. Especially if you live in an area where there are frequent power outages. There are other ways of lighting an electronic ignition pilot but too technical to get into here. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. That gives them power in emergencies to the needed circuits without overloading the generator. If your water heater has one, you'll see a retractable red push-button near the gas valve on the front of the unit near the floor. Turn the electrical power to the furnace back on. The pilot ignites the water heater’s gas burner. Tank-type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated. Although they are gradually being replaced by electronic ignition devices, pilot lights still provide the flame that ignites many gas appliances, including water heaters, room heaters and stoves. I recently had installed in my home a gas hot water heater because the pilot light kept going out. Backup generators that are hard-wired into the main panel may have this set-up for basic circuits. This commission helps us pay for the overhead of running this website. 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. If everything is working well, the pilot flame should be mostly blue and about an inch in length. Sometimes, carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. Flip the switch! Some water heaters have a separate button for pilot mode, usually a red one, which you’ll press and hold. The plumber replaced all parts in the water heater as it was only 3 months old. How To Light A Water Heater With Electronic Pilot October 3, 2017 1 min read So you just moved into a beautiful house in a quaint suburban, you fell in love at the first sight – you love the new community, the green environment, how quiet and peaceful it is there, every single thing about it. We will hope for the best. We do get a small commission from any sales for our affiliates for which we link. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. If it's primarily yellow and sputters rather than burning steadily, the pilot tube needs cleaning. Thanks for any information you can provide. Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. If the pilot is restricted, try removing it and clearing it with a stiff brush and/or compressed air. Your hot water heater … The trouble with standing pilots—and one reason they are gradually being replaced by electronic ignitors—is that they go out. Locate the gas regulator valve on the water heater. When it is frigid in the house, it would be nice to have some source of heat. We have a great electronic ignition troubleshooting page to help with the basics. Pilot will light but no burner. Gas Heating Troubleshooting and Repair Index, Electronic Ignition Alternative Possibilities, Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition – Conclusion, changing the standing pilot system to an electronic ignition system, safety of the flame is provided by a thermocouple, Changing a Standing Pilot Boiler to Electronic Ignition – Conversion Upgrade, Electronic Ignition Systems: Hot Surface Igniter, Honeywell Furnace Temperature Fan Limit Control, How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter, Natural Gas Properties and Furnace Heating Efficiency, New Thermostat Problem or Gas Furnace Issue. A Broken Thermocouple. Additionally, you need a way to distribute that heat, such as a fan (with no power, the fan won’t work). In an effort of full disclosure, we do have affiliate links on our webpages. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. In that article, we clearly state the pros and cons of converting the system. If the pilot cannot be cleaned, replace it. In some cases, you may have to remove the pilot tube completely and clear the orifice with a needle to remove obstacles. Push in this knob and hold it while you press the spark ignitor button repeatedly or hold a long-handled lighter to the pilot orifice. It would not be comfortable when you finished the shower. 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. Switch Pilot … Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition - This is one of many questions we get by email. An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. Turn the knob on the gas control on the water heater to the Off position, wait a minute or two for gas to clear out of the burners, then turn it to Pilot. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. That is unless you have a backup generator in a power outage.