If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves .
How do you relight a pilot light on a water heater?
- Open the door/cover over the pilot light access. ...
- Use a flashlight or a headlamp to find the burner inside. ...
- Turn the gas knob to “Pilot,” press and hold it down. ...
- While still holding the gas down, light that pilot.
What do you do when the pilot light goes out on your water heater?
- Turn the thermostat to the lowest setting.
- Turn the on/off/pilot switch to the “pilot” position.
- Remove the outer and inner panels to access your pilot light.
What do you do when your hot water heater pilot light goes out?
When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it , following the directions on the water heater label. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple.
Is it bad if the pilot light goes out?
A pilot light is a small flame that is built into your gas heating appliances, such as a furnace or water heater. ... If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking .
Will the gas company light My pilot?
Most of today’s gas appliances have electric starters, rather than pilot lights. ... One caveat, however: If you detect the strong smell of natural gas, do not attempt to light the pilot. Instead, leave the house and call your local gas company or 911 .
What causes a pilot light to go out on a water heater?
Some of the most common reasons that water heater pilot lights go out include: A faulty thermocouple . ... Over time, thermocouples can begin to malfunction and shut off the gas supply to the pilot light even if it’s burning properly. A bent or dirty thermocouple.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light
A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150 . This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas heater?
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace? Most gas fireplaces rely on a “continuous pilot light ,” a type of pilot that remains lit so long as gas is flowing to the unit. ... If you have a continuous pilot light system, you should always see a pilot flame unless you have manually turned the system off.
How much does it cost to have a pilot light lit?
The pilot light burns significantly less fuel than a fire but it can cost $8 to $10 a month if your fireplace is fueled by natural gas. If your fireplace is fueled by propane, it could cost up to $20 a month. Turning off the pilot would reduce your energy costs during the summer.
Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?
Thermocouple – $20 to $150
The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
Do plumbers fix water heaters?
When it comes to your water heater, however, it’s essential you have a licensed plumber complete any repairs . ... Because dealing with water and electricity or gas requires the expertise that only comes with a plumbing license and experience.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a pilot light?
A pilot light should be a crisp blue colour. ... A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
Can you smell a pilot light?
Note that it is totally normal on automatic pilots (pilots that do NOT stay lit all the time) to smell a little natural gas when the are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.
