A gas hot water heater not staying lit can be caused by a number of issues. One possibility is the pilot light has gone out and needs to be re-lit. This typically happens due to a faulty thermocouple, or thermopile, which is a safety device that will shut off the gas supply if the pilot light goes out.
Other causes can include failing gas valves, a faulty thermostat, clogged burner, wrong gas pressure, and a clogged vent. Additionally, some models require power for the electronic ignition system, and that power can be disrupted due to a circuit breaker, wire problem, bad transformer, or faulty board.
If you are having issues with your gas hot water heater not staying lit, it is highly recommended to contact a qualified professional as these repairs can be complex and require proper safety protocols.
Why does my hot water heater flame keep going out?
A common cause is that the pilot light has been extinguished due to a draft, perhaps caused by a window or door being opened or closed. Another possible cause is that the thermostat or thermocouple have failed, resulting in an interruption of the flow of gas or electricity needed to keep the pilot light lit.
Additionally, if there is a shortage of fuel, or if the fuel source is unclean or stale, then the flame may not reliably keep burning. Lastly, if there is an issue with the ventilation or air flow of your hot water heater, then you may be able to detect a smell of gas or other odors.
In any of these cases, you should contact a professional to assess the issue and make any necessary repairs.
What to do if water heater pilot won’t stay lit?
If your water heater pilot won’t stay lit, it could be due to a number of possible causes.
1. Make sure the gas valve on the water heater is fully opened. The pilot light may not stay lit if the valve isn’t open enough to provide an adequate gas supply.
2. Look for obstructions in the air intake and flue vents to ensure that air is able to flow freely through the system.
3. If the pilot light won’t stay lit when you release the gas valve handle, this could indicate a problem with the thermocouple or thermopile, which is the part that shut off the gas when the pilot flame goes out.
4. Check the size and length of the pilot tube to make sure that it is the correct size and in the right position.
5. If necessary, replace the thermocouple or thermopile as instructed in the water heater’s manual.
6. If the gas pressure is low, this could be causing the pilot light to go out. You will need to call a qualified gas technician to correct the problem.
7. Make sure that the pilot light flame is adjusted properly. The flame should be about the size of a pencil. If the flame is too big, it could be causing the pilot light to go out.
If none of these solutions resolve the problem, you should contact a qualified technician for help.
Why does my pilot light go out when I release the pilot light knob?
When the pilot light knob is released, the valve controlling the flow of gas to the pilot light shuts off, causing the pilot light to go out. This is a safety measure to ensure that the pilot light will not stay lit when the main burner is not being used.
If the pilot light did stay lit, it could pose a risk of a gas leak. Additionally, a pilot light that would stay lit when the main burner is not in operation would be a waste of gas.
The pilot light knob must be held in the on position for the pilot light to remain lit. When you press down on the knob and the pilot light goes out, it indicates that the valve has locked and the flow of gas to the pilot light has been shut off.
How do I know if my thermocouple is broken?
To check if your thermocouple is broken, you should first look to see if any damage is visible on the thermocouple. If the thermocouple junction wires are broken, exposed, or otherwise damaged, that’s an immediate sign that the thermocouple is broken.
Additionally, any disconnected wires or loose connections may indicate a problem with the thermocouple.
Second, if the thermocouple is malfunctioning, you may notice misreads in the temperature being reported by the system. If the readings you’re getting from the thermocouple don’t make sense or seem to fluctuate wildly, it could be a sign that your thermocouple is not working properly.
Lastly, if none of the above signs seem to be present, you’ll need to use a multimeter to test the thermocouple. Set the multimeter to the resistance setting and using the wire of the thermocouple as the leads, measure the resistance.
Depending on the type of thermocouple, the resistance should be within a certain range. If the resistance falls outside of this range, it could indicate that the thermocouple is broken.
How long do thermocouples last?
The lifespan of a thermocouple depends on its environment and quality, but generally speaking, thermocouples can last anywhere between one to several years of continuous use. In some instances, thermocouples can endure up to 10 years or even more with maintenance.
Furthermore, thermocouples can yield more accurate temperature readings over longer periods of time because they are more reliable and are not sensitive to external parameters such as voltage, magnetic fields, and electric surges.
The longevity of a thermocouple ultimately depends on the specific environment in which it is installed. A thermocouple that is placed in a factory with high levels of vibration and dust will not last as long as one installed in a less hostile environment, such as inside an air furnace.
Furthermore, sustained temperatures beyond the thermocouple’s operating range can also reduce its lifespan. Lastly, a poorly constructed or low-quality thermocouple also has a decreased longevity.
It is typically recommended to periodically inspect and clean thermocouples in order to extend their longevity and accuracy. Additionally, certain thermocouple designs, such as those with a ceramic coating, are designed to perform better under extreme temperatures and have a longer lifespan.
Ultimately, a thermocouple’s longevity is dependent on the specific application and environment in which it is installed.
What happens when thermocouple goes out?
When a thermocouple goes out, it is no longer able to accurately read the temperature of its environment. This can cause a number of problems, depending on what the thermocouple was being used for. For example, a gas-powered thermocouple that is used to measure the temperature of a furnace may cause the furnace to overheat and malfunction if it goes out.
There may also be issues with controlling the ambient temperature of a space if a thermocouple fails.
In any situation where a thermocouple goes out, it is important to take steps to diagnose the issue and replace the thermocouple as soon as possible. If left unchecked, the temperature readings provided by the thermocouple will be inaccurate, causing potentially dangerous situations.
In some cases, the thermocouple may need to be replaced entirely in order to be properly functioning again.
How does a thermocouple get damaged?
A thermocouple can be damaged in a number of ways, including exposure to extreme temperatures or over-voltages, physical damage, electrical shorts, vibration, exposure to corrosive atmospheres, inadequate grounding and improper installation.
The most common causes of thermocouple failure are the misapplication or installation of the probe, the breaking of insulation due to high temperatures, the oxidation of the thermocouple materials, the ingress of foreign substances, and the incorrect junction configuration.
Exposed to Extreme Temperatures: A thermocouple is made up of two dissimilar metals which are joined together at one end. When exposed to extreme temperatures, the metals may expand or contract at different rates which can cause the juncture of the two wires to separate.
The thermocouple may also be exposed to a temperature which exceeds its maximum rating.
Physical Damage: Physically damaging the thermocouple can occur in many ways, including contact with hard objects, vibration, flexing, or bending. Damage to the thermocouple is often irreversible and will lead to reduced accuracy or complete failure.
Electrical Shorts: Electrical shorts can occur due to poor insulation material or simply from aging. Poor insulation can lead to a juncture being created between the two dissimilar metal wires which can cause the thermocouple to short circuit.
Vibration: Vibration can cause physical movement and internal connection degradation of the metal components of the thermocouple. This can lead to loose connections and also reduce the accuracy of the temperature reading.
Exposure to Corrosive Atmospheres: Corrosive atmospheres can quickly break down the insulation material used in the thermocouple. This can lead to poor contact between the two metal wires, thus reducing the accuracy of the temperature reading.
Inadequate Grounding & Poor Installation: Inadequate grounding can cause a temperature loop providing inaccurate readings. Furthermore, incorrect soldering or welding can also lead to electrical shorts, resulting in inaccurate temperature readings.
Poor installation can also interfere with air cooling or result in uneven temperature readings.
Why does my pilot light keep going out after replacing thermocouple?
The most likely reason why your pilot light keeps going out after replacing the thermocouple is that the thermocouple is not properly positioned. The thermocouple acts as a safety device that senses the pilot flame and sends a signal to your gas valve to keep it open.
If the thermocouple isn’t positioned correctly, it won’t be able to detect the pilot flame and will shut off the gas valve, causing the pilot light to go out. To make sure the thermocouple is properly positioned, make sure it’s centered in the pilot light flame.
Additionally, make sure the thermocouple end is secure in the pilot light bracket and free of any debris or dust. If these steps don’t work, you may need to replace the thermocouple again or call a professional to ensure the correct installation.
How do I stop my pilot light from blowing out?
The first step in preventing your pilot light from blowing out is to make sure that it is the correct size for the appliance you are trying to use. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the correct size pilot light for your specific appliance.
Second, if your gas lines are too long or if the pipes have been curved or bent, there may not be a sufficient supply of gas to keep the pilot light properly burning. If necessary, you should either have the pipes adjusted for better gas flow or replace them.
In addition, if the pilot light has been blowing out more frequently than normal, it could be due to wind blowing across the flame. Consider blocking the wind with a protective cover or shield to help keep the flame steady.
Finally, it is important to routinely check and clean the pilot light. A clogged or dirty pilot light may not ignite properly, or it may blow out easily. Checking and cleaning the pilot light regularly will ensure optimal performance.