It is common on fireplaces and older cheaper furnaces and water heaters.
Gas hot water heater pilot light out.
If this pilot light ever goes out.
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 thermocouple senses a lit pilot it leaves the main gas valve open.
If it senses that the pilot light has gone out the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the flame in order to prevent safety issues with your water heater.
Once the thermocouple is hot the button may be released and the pilot light will stay on.
A weaker flame won t envelop the thermocouple properly.
Find this sensor near the tip of the pilot flame.
Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters.
Usually the first warning.
The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater.
A pilot light is always burning while using a small amount of gas either a water heater is running or not.
If the pilot light is out or isn t burning hot enough it closes the valve cutting off gas flow so it won t build up inside your house.
Nearly all gas water heaters with pilot lights are lit the same way.
A pilot light is a small device that is designed to provide the flame and light the gas coming out of the gas valve and main burner.
If you have a natural or propane gas water heater chances are the pilot has gone out.
Gas heater pilot light troubleshooting.
A button is pushed to temporarily supply gas to the pilot light.
Your thermocouple is responsible for sensing when your pilot light is lit.
It s the soul of your water heater.
How to light the pilot for a gas hot water heater.
The pilot light is supposed to be a strong blue cone not a weak yellow flame.
The pilot light is lit with a match or long lighter.
Cleaning out the pilot orifice means disassembling the pilot and clearing out the debris using a needle or compressed air.
Some of the most common reasons that water heater pilot lights go out include.
The main control valve is responsible for regulating the heater s gas and water pressure.
The pilot orifice may be full of dirt.
The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas.
If the gas is lit it fully opens the main valve to provide a steady supply of gas.
Tank type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated.