One of them is a dirty thermocouple. Is it the gas valve and thermocouple or something else? A gas valve that uses a thermocouple needs the voltage from the thermocouple to keep the valve open providing gas to the pilot flame. Ask around your neighborhood and find out if anyone else has had issues with their natural gas. Archived. If your pilot doesn’t re-light, won’t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time, you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple. If removing and cleaning the thermocouple is something you're comfortable doing, perform this routine maintenance annually. In this case, the thermocouple needs to be replaced. If the pilot light goes out, it doesn’t warm the thermocouple, which then shuts to prevent unused gas from building up. But, if the thermocouple is dirty or worn out, it may not respond to the heat and then shut off the gas. The number one reason why the pilot light keeps going out is the thermocouple. The fix here is as easy as removing the thermocouple, cleaning it with a wire brush or something coarse (even an ordinary dollar bill works), and replacing. Since gas valves are not serviceable the gas valve needs to be replaced. Many HVAC techs will try to employ shady, scammy tactics to get the most money out of you. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. After installation, I also did the detergent test to make sure the gas connections are secure and not leaking. There are three reasons why your thermocouple might be malfunctioning: A broken or burned out thermocouple won't detect the flame properly, effectively closing the gas valve until you replace it. Whats people lookup in this blog: The pilot light creates a small flame that is used to ignite the burner that then warms up water in the tank water heater. The thermocouple is the copper rod the pilot flame directly hits. Hot Point furnace repair experts guarantee integral and trustworthy repair services. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. 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. Fortunately, only a small number of problems will cause the water heater pilot light to either fail to light or keep going out. Get in touch with your utility company if the problems persist. The water heater is relatively new in age. Dirty Thermocouple. The goal is to keep the pilot light lit and burning to provide ignition for the main burners. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It could be moisture, or it could be a power surge of some kind. As a result, the gas supply will be cut off and the pilot light will go out. Replacing a broken thermocouple is cheap and relatively easy if you're mechanically inclined. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Therefore, a dirty thermocouple might be the reason why your water pilot keeps going out. Hot Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out Posted on August 19, 2020 by hls_admin It can be both mind-boggling and infuriating when your pilot light on your hot water heater won’t stay lit, and the fix may seem daunting if you don’t know what you are looking for. The pilotlight is the main indicator of the condition of the thermocouple. by High Performance HVAC | Gas Furnaces | 0 comments. If the pilot light goes out periodically, it’s usually not a cause for concern. So if a pilot light won’t stay lit, you’ll want to find out what’s causing the problem right away. Identify the therm… When I light the burners it will stay on and heat the water but then all of sudden 5 minutes or so in cut off and when it cuts off so does the pilot light. It won't cost you much. Keep every intake air register in your home open and clear to avoid a “vacuum” effect in the inlet. You will need a multimeter to accomplish the testing of the thermocouple. Thermocouple problems can be fairly common, and this component is often the culprit when the water heater pilot keeps going out. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But if the pilot flame goes out, then the gas would still be released. A bad regulator in your natural gas meter outside your home will affect all of the gas appliances in your home, including your furnace, dryer, stove, etc. I Have a rheem everkleen Model rmg pro 40 and the pilot light keeps going out now is not the best time to buy a new water heater in your experience is it the thermocouple … These are the most common reasons why your heater’s pilot light won’t stay lit: 1. Obstructed Thermocouple. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces, but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot … It won't stay on. This can happen on excessively windy days or nights. These links will lead to you purchase a product from another company. As noted above, when the garage door is open. In those cases, it became necessary for the person to get a chimney cap or flue cap. For more information about life expectancy, read this article entitled how long do water heaters last? If you want to research other possibilities about converting to electronic ignition see our resources below. Thermocouples work by producing a small amount of voltage when it is heated. Changing a Standing Pilot Boiler to Electronic Ignition, Resource: The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home, Your email address will not be published. This will cause the coil to close the pilot valve preventing gas from getting to the pilot nozzle. If you’re not eager to start tampering with crucial parts of your furnace system, furnace repair experts at Hot Point are just one phone call away to help you out. Every time. When I light the pilot it will stay on by itself. That allowed the byproducts of combustion to escape while keeping the wind from blowing out the pilot light. Your water heater’s thermocouple is responsible for sensing out when your pilot light is lit. The pilot light on our water heater keeps going out. In these systems, the pilot will only light (in the case of hot surface igniters, the igniter surface heats) when the thermostat makes a command for heat. Attempts to re-light the pilot light are futile. If you're having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple, double-check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light. The thermocouple isn't too difficult to find. No hot water on a cold Monday morning. If the pilot valve (inside the gas valve) is not open then the main valve will not open. The thermocouple is below the pilot light, but the flame is definitely touching it. Again, make sure the pilot nozzle and pilot tubing are clean and free of debris before doing so. When the thermocouple is dirty, broken, or misaligned, it can’t see your flame. Some of the principal reasons due to which the light of the water heater goes out to include: Problem with a Thermocouple. The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple. If you look very closely, you'll find the thermocouple tucked in behind the burners. Pilot light keeps going out. 1. If your pilot light won’t stay lit, the thermocouple is very likely the culprit. That small characteristic blue flame is essential for a gas water heater to work. My pilot light on my tankless water heater keeps going out... Its a Bosch Aquastar 125b NG. Sometimes it lasts a couple days, sometimes just a couple minutes. In older units, it will need to be relit manually, while newer models do it automatically. Most plumbers deal with thermocouples and gas valves and can quickly and efficiently take care of the problem for you. Locate the copper rod near the burners. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit. The furnace stopped working at some point during the night. 1. Before conceding the cost of emergency repairs and calling an HVAC professional, read ahead for some of the most common reasons why your furnace pilot light won’t stay on. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. Over the years, your water heater’s pilot tube can become dirty and clogged resulting in your pilot light’s inability to stay lit. Join Ben Franklin Duncanville plumber and see what could be the issues with your water heater pilot light. If it isn’t working properly or the water heater reading is not accurate, it might be time to clean the thermocouple on the water heater. It is frustrating to have to continually re-light the pilot light so you can get hot water or heat. The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home. Of course, if you want to make sure the job is done right with the least amount of risk, contact experienced professionals at Hot Point for furnace repairs ASAP. The pilot light flame going out means that the burners won’t ignite, and you’ll suffer the wrath of freezing, cold water. The pilot light is supposed to be a strong blue cone, not a weak yellow flame. When you have a problem with your water heater not lighting, look at your water heater pilot light. Someone slamming a door too hard can create a draft that will extinguish the pilot light. I have a Bradford White gas hot water heater and the pilot lite will not stay lit. The high wind caused a draft that extinguished the pilot flame. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. It would also help to have another person helping you or have alligator clamps for the thermocouple testing. For example, is someone opening the garage door when this occurs? The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction. The following are things you need to do to bring it back to top shape. Why does this happen? Hot Point Heating & Air Conditioning LLC. If the thermocouple is going bad then it is not sending the correct amount of voltage to the coil in the gas valve. Your furnace may not be getting enough gas to keep the pilot lit. If the thermocouple fails to shut off the gas, all the gas flowing through the furnace could get into your home. That's the thermocouple. If you are not comfortable replacing a gas valve, then please call a plumbing or HVAC service. Something's wrong. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces, but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters. Without this safety feature it would be possible to release a large volume of combustible gas. This is the pilot flame that provides the heat. The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. In the “not” cases, the wind was coming down the flue or chimney. If your pilot light re-lights easily after going out overnight, it’s possible it was blown out by a draft. The most likely cause of your problem, in this case, is the coil in the gas valve is bad. 1. We can get it to light and it will stay lit for a day or two then it goes out. If the water heater or furnace is in a garage, then it may be necessary to make observations as to when the pilot light is going out. This commission helps us pay for the overhead of running this website. If after you’ve fully inspected the thermocouple your gas water heater pilot light keeps going out, then you’ll want to inspect the thermocouple. Contact your utility company immediately. If the thermocouple isn't lined up correctly, it won't read the flame, and will shut the valve for the gas. For Example: There is another option for you if you are frustrated with pilot lights. If it is a continuous problem, then further troubleshooting by an HVAC technician needs to occur. A layer of dirt and grime can hinder the electric current from reaching the thermocouple. Sometimes it occurred when a door was opened and other times not. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. No matter the pilot configuration, the thermocouple will be near the burners—look for a removable metal rod nearby. Your email address will not be published. What is a thermocouple? First off, grab a flashlight and a screwdriver before inspecting your furnace. The pilot orifice may be full of dirt. Maybe the pilot stays on for a moment and the furnace attempts to fire, but almost immediately shuts down. The only thing more frustrating than a busted furnace is the hundred trips to the garage for tools when you're trying to fix it. This can happen with age. Locate the pilot light and look for the tip of a copper rod very nearby. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. The thermocouple needs to detect the flame, otherwise it will shut the gas valve, and your furnace will not function correctly. © 2021 Hot Point Heating & Air Conditioning LLC. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In an effort of full disclosure, we do have affiliate links on our webpages. After a while, the gas could collect in your home and becom… Inspect the thermocouple to determine if it is dirty. Here are more than a few things you can try to keep that flame going before you decide to give your local Ace Hi water heater technician a call. Providing Heating, Air Conditioning, and Water Heater Services for. The next possible problem that can keep your pilot light going out is an environmental problem. Hot Network Questions Does this op-amp circuit have a name? 1. A weaker flame won’t envelop the thermocouple properly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Call today to schedule your appointment at (972)-263-5010. Now the pilot lite will not stay lit. If the thermocouple gives you the proper numbers for voltage and all of the above has been done, then you can replace the gas valve. Thermocouples work by producing a small amount of voltage when it is heated. That's the thermocouple. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. Pilot light won't stay on? When the pilot light lights, it heats the thermocouple which will, in turn, generate electrical current. Posted by 8 years ago. This is the thermocouple. But the pilot light going out is not an uncommon problem. Because the pilot is not keeping the thermo couple hot, after the burner shuts off the safety kicks in and cuts off the pilot. When a … 3. Can't Find the Pilot Light? Either the thermocouple is going bad or it is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Turn off the power.This is the first thing you must do; in the name of safety. Otherwise known as the flame sensor, the thermocouple automatically shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out. In a few cases debris got trapped in the gas line and blocked the gas. A faulty thermocouple can cause problems with your water heater not staying lit. Before purchasing a new thermocouple a check of the gas line to the pilot assembly should be done. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. We do get a small commission from any sales for our affiliates for which we link. A fierce, freezing draft sends shivers down your spine. If you're having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple, double-check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light. Is there parts we can replace so that we do not have to purchase a new water heater? Cleaning the tubing by blowing through it should clean all the debris from the line. The pilot in my gas water heater (Aquamax 205) has been going out sporadically over the last 2 weeks. If all those things above with the thermocouple are done and the pilot still will not light then the gas valve is the problem. On the contrary, it usually develops with many older water heaters. You can do a conversion from standing pilot to electronic ignition. Copyright© 2021 HighPerformanceHVAC.com |. The solution: Again, you’ll have to do some cleaning. If its the water heater you have to re-light the pilot and then wait for the water heater to heat the water. Hot Point Heating and Air Conditioning offers flat rate pricing on all of our Wisconsin repairs, meaning we charge exactly what we quote and don’t stray from it. These cookies do not store any personal information. The pilot going out is a common occurrence for those that have water heaters or older gas furnaces. If your furnace is still malfunctioning after you’ve repaired or replaced the thermocouple and determined the flow of gas isn’t a problem, you’ll need the aid of an experienced professional to figure out what’s wrong with your furnace. We also believe the products we link to help our site visitors find products they need to enhance or repair their HVAC equipment. I can re-lit and heater works for a few days to a week or so. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Contact professional furnace repair technicians at Hot Point for thermocouple repairs if you aren't so confident. The most common issue that causes your pilot light to go out continually relates to your thermocouple. You'll have to remove the cover, and chances are the lighting won't be working in your favor. There are a few main reasons why this occurs, and we will describe them here. When the water heater is first lit, a valve releases gas into the burner, and the pilot light ignites that gas. Ok so, my water heater has a new thermocouple (actually a new pilot assembly) on it that is working but I’m still having issues.. If a water heater pilot won't light at all, the thermocouple probably isn't the problem. Have had a problem for awhile now with the lite going out on its own. Thus the safety pilot. Is the wind blowing hard outside? It has two wires. The simple definition is that it is a device that measures temperature. If you feel uncomfortable doing any of the things noted here call and HVAC service company or a plumber. Why Does Your Heater’s Pilot Light Keep Going Off? Yesterday, I replaced the thermocouple with a universal thermocouple and cleaned out the dust and soot from the burner area. Gas fireplace flame won't stay on; both flame and pilot go out. Even the slightest hiccup in gas supply to your furnace could be enough for the pilot to go out. Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. So, the pilot light keeps the thermocouple warm, which keeps the gas flowing. Dirty thermocouple: If you can light your pilot light, but the water heater pilot keeps going out, there are many possible causes. When natural gas consumption peaks, the “gas grid” in your area may be nearing its capacity and lower the gas pressure intermittently. What causes the coil to go bad in the gas valve? This is the pilot flame that provides the heat. Either the thermocouple is going bad or it is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Most recently manufactured water heaters function with the aid of a thermocouple. 0. This is a safety feature to ensure the main burners have an ignition source. 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. For safety's sake, shut off power to the furnace by switching the breaker to the off position, and close the gas valve. It's a safety mechanism that shuts the gas off should the pilot go out. Learn some helpful tips on why your water pilot like keeps going out. You may be able to fix the problem on your own if you’ve got the tools and the wherewithal. The thermocouple isn't too difficult to find. If you notice pilot problems in several of your household appliances, this may be the culprit. Gas Heating Troubleshooting and Repair Index, Drafts and High Winds | Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out, Conclusion | Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out, Top Ten Reasons the Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit Video, conversion from standing pilot to electronic ignition, 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, Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition, Natural Gas Properties and Furnace Heating Efficiency, New Thermostat Problem or Gas Furnace Issue, When the wind is high like in the fall time. Cleaning out the pilot orifice means disassembling the pilot and clearing out the debris using a needle or compressed air. You awake on a cold winter morning and cast the covers aside. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. A leak in the output duct of the furnace could cause air to blow into the area. Do-it-yourself maintenance and repairs can only go so far, unfortunately. More importantly it is the device that regulates the gas flow inside your water heater or furnace. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This device is designed to pick up an electrical signal from the pilot light’s heat to determine whether or not the pilot is on. The thermocouple safeguards against a catastrophic buildup of gas. However, if the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple will cool failing to ignite the water heater. That can be dangerous. To resolve this problem, you’ll need a needle. The thermocouple is one of the vital components of a water heater, along with the pilot light. Here are reasons why your pilot light on the water heater keeps going out. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Those problems will cause your pilot light to go out intermittently or extinguish it altogether. Read on for reasons why, and what you can do to fix it. Required fields are marked *. The pilot light flame needs to completely envelop the top of the thermocouple rod so it knows the flame is on. You have to light the pilot light and then wait for the furnace to heat the home to a comfortable temperature. So here are a few common reasons which could be the culprits for your pilot light going out. Thanks and happy heating!! This is DIY furnace maintenance you can perform on your own to extend the life of your furnace and avoid emergency repairs. The pilot assembly, pilot nozzle, and even the thermocouple should be clean. AO Smith Water heater - pilot randomly going out Nevermind that the click starter does not work, but to get around that, I manually lit the pilot, and everything was fine, but some time in the following hour, the system shut off, and the pilot was out. My pilot light on my tankless water heater keeps going out... Close. Pilot light keeps going off doityourself com community forums 5 reasons why your water heater pilot light won t stay lit and how to fix repairing pilot lights and thermocouples how to repair major appliances tips guidelines howstuffworks why does my pilot light keep going out water heater service weiser. We want to help you find the solution to your problem because we know it can cause discomfort. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? If you can manage to get the pilot light lit for just a moment, inspect the flame. An important test to do before condemning the gas valve is to test the thermocouple for proper output. It is crucial, for troubleshooting purposes, to make a note of conditions outside and when the problem occurs. The procedure for lighting a standing pilot always includes lighting the flame, then manually holding in the gas valve to keep the flame burning and give the thermocouple time to heat up. If you can light your pilot light, but it keeps going out, the first item to check is the thermocouple. That can turn into a nuisance for both maintaining heat or hot water. You can get injured if you don’t do this, so, take precautions. The same for a furnace. The number one reason why the pilot light keeps going out is the thermocouple. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. First, turn off the main gas supply valve and wait for the thermocouple … While there could be a number of issues with your water heater, the most consistent one (for gas water heaters) is a pilot light that keeps going out.