Are you wondering how to light a gas hot water heater? Water heaters are winter’s basic necessity. However, gas water heaters prove to be very efficient and are less expensive, but most people don’t know how they can light a gas hot water heater.
We can quickly light it up with a lighter or match stick. A burner inside the tank helps to heat the water. It heats the water quickly and can no matter the low power. In addition to this, gas water heater cost less as it is energy efficient.
Using a gas water heater at first may seem complicated, but it is not so. Processing on a gas water heater is quite convenient if you know the proper method; otherwise, it can be dangerous for your life also. For installation and working, the home should have a better gas supply source. Gas water heaters have a faster working system, but you have to be very conscious when lightning.
Steps To Light A Gas Hot Water Heater
We light a gas water heater by its pilot light. It operates by Lightening the burner, which then heats the water. So, here are the steps on how to light a gas hot water heater:
Step #1. Enlightening
Sometimes, we even need to relight it, but why? When there is no gas supply, it automatically goes off and stops working. It doesn’t restart on its own when the gas is supplied. So it would be best if you relighted it again. When we find out that our pilot light has gone, we must check out whether the water coming out from the tab is hot or not. It happens mainly because the cold water comes.
Step #2. Locating the gas water heater’s regulatory valve
Now, as you have checked, it is off. Your next step would be the location of the gas regulator valve. As the name shows, the regular valve manages and adjusts the gas flow reaching the burner. It is placed on the outside of the heater and bears a knob on it. First, we will turn off the valve by the knob and wait for a few seconds. Now we will place the pilot burner underneath the heater. Make sure that no blockage can damage the supply route. This is done by taking off the access cover.
Step #3. Turning on the pilot burner gas flow
Now the next step is again turning the gas heater’s regulator valve. After turning it to the pilot, we press and hold it downward. In some of the water heaters, you need to hold down the red button, which ignites the flow of gas in the pilot burner. For instance, some gas heaters offer a built-in piezo-electric spark igniter on which a red or black button can do the same thing.
But even if you don’t have those built-in features, you can quickly go with yours. You have to press and hold down the regulator valve to the pilot, which routes the gas flow to the pilot burner. Finally, it is time for the ignition of the burner pilot as we push the button. You will hear a clicking sound when the igniter sparks. Moreover, if you wonder how you can light a gas hot water heater with a lighter, barbecue lighten is the perfect option. You will have to put the lighter flame on the burner, and it will be lit. You may also be interested to know how long does hot water heater lasts.
Step #4. Holding and releasing the knob again
As the pilot burner of the gas heater is lit now, the next step would be the holding down of the regulator valve again. We will have to hold it for about one minute. A thermocouple safety sensor checks out whether the flame is working fine or not.
The process above heats the thermocouple sensor to find out the water heater is working fine. Now you will rerelease the valve knob and check out if the flame stays lit. After that, you will turn the knob On. You shall hear a womb sound as you ignite the burner. Again you will have to remove the access covers. After pressing the igniter button, hold and press the control knob for 20 seconds again. Release the knob after and check for the blue flame.
Step #5. Lightening an automatic water heater
For an automatic water heater, turn off the gas first. And let the knob go from the pilot to the off position. This is for the expulsion of any remaining gas. It should take 5 minutes. Turn the water heater to low and take the process to pilot mode. Push the igniter and take the dial downwards. Hold it downwards for 30 seconds and then the whooshing sound. When you see the burner is lit now, by opening a small window, set the heat to your desired setting, but before setting the heat, you must know how to adjust your water heater’s temperature.
It’s A Wrap
Although we have learned how to light a gas hot water heater, it still doesn’t work; you can go to the plumbing services website and get the work done by them. You must have a label with your specific water heater by which you will come to know how it works. Moreover, it can be dangerous if you smell any gas so avoid relighting in this condition. You may want to read related articles; know why does my hot water heater keeps tripping and hot water heater makes noise when heating.