Does pilot light affect water heater?

Does pilot light affect water heater?

The pilot light on your water heater carries a big job and can affect the entire household if not working properly. If the pilot light ends up going out, your faucets will only produce cold water because without it the appliance has no way of turning on to heat up the water.

Will water heater leak if pilot light goes out?

If the thermocouple isn’t working properly, then it’s possible that it’s allowing gas to leak into the very room where the heater is located. This can be very dangerous if the pilot has been out for hours, and the gas has been leaking the whole time.

What would cause a hot water heater to stop working?

No Power or Gas If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.

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.

Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?

It should be turned off, and must be turned off to allow the pilot to be relighted, but there is a safety feature in gas appliances that if the pilot light goes out, a heat operated valve cools off and shuts the gas supply to the pilot light and the main burner.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?

The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10.

How much does it cost to fix a thermocouple?

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.

How often do thermocouples need to be replaced?

We recommend replacing these thermocouples every one or two years. When we move up the temperature scale above 1200°F, and particularly into the 1500° to 1800°F range, life expectancy of the Type K thermocouple drops off.

Is it bad if your pilot light goes out?

The pilot light is a small, blue flame that is used to ignite the natural gas being pumped into the main burner. This tube is fitted with a safety valve (the thermocouple), which stops the flow of gas if the pilot light goes out. This prevents gas from building up in your furnace, posing a safety hazard.

Is it dangerous to relight a pilot light?

Can a Pilot Light Outage Be Dangerous? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself it could result in a very serious explosion.

How do you reset a thermostat on a gas hot water heater?

The water heater reset button is the red button located on the water heater itself (just above the thermostat). Some water heaters may have two reset buttons-one for each thermostat. To access the reset button, you may have to remove the metal plate covering the thermostat that’s held in place by screws.

Is it expensive to replace a thermocouple?

How much should a plumber charge to replace a thermocouple?

Thermocouple Replacement Cost Calling a professional plumber to install a new thermocouple should only be up to $150. If you do the work yourself, you will only pay the price of the part which is about $20.

How much does it cost to replace thermocouple?

The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

What are the symptoms of a bad thermocouple?

Failed Thermocouple Symptoms

• The first is signs of contamination on the tube, which can include discoloration, cracks, or pinholes.
• Next, check the wiring for any signs of wear or corrosion like missing insulation or bare wire.

Can I relight my own pilot light?

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.