How to Relight a Hot Water Heater Pilot Light

You can relight a hot water heater pilot light.

An older-style gas-fired hot water heater has a standing pilot light that fires the burner, which in turn produces hot water. Modern water heaters have gone to electronic ignition to light the burner, but standing pilot light water heaters are still very common. Before attempting to relight a hot water heater pilot light, make sure the heater is mechanically functional. Many times a pilot light will go out because of a bad thermocouple, and until a new one is installed, it will be virtually impossible to keep a pilot light relit.

Things You'll Need

• Candle lighter or a fireplace match

Instructions

1. Turn off both the gas valve, which will be a red handle on the main gas line next to the water heater, and the main control valve, which will be mounted near the bottom front of the water tank.

2. Turn the water heater temperature dial down to the lowest setting, or the "pilot" setting, if applicable. This will ensure that only the pilot light will have gas flow, and not the burner.

3. Remove the pilot light access panel at the bottom of the water heater. It will be located at the front and held on by gravity clips. You will be able to just pull it up and off the water heater.

4. Turn the gas valve back on and turn the main control valve to the "pilot" setting.

5. Press the control valve knob down, which will release gas to the pilot light.

6. Light the candle lighter or fireplace match and place it inside the access panel. Use the illumination from the flame to locate the small copper tube, which will be the thermocouple, and follow it to where the pilot light orifice is located at the end of the tube.

7. Touch the flame to the pilot light orifice, while continuing to hold down the control valve knob. A blue flame will appear, and this will be the actual pilot light. Remove the lighter or match at this point, and hold the control valve knob down for approximately 30 seconds. This time doesn't have to be exact, and you can count this off by saying, "one thousand one," "one thousand two," and so on.

8. Release the control valve knob and the pilot will be relit. Replace the access panel, and turn the temperature control dial to the hot water temperature setting of your choice. If the burner does not go on and the pilot goes out again, repeat the steps and relight the pilot. However, if the pilot refuses to stay lit after lighting it a second time, replace the thermocouple before trying again.

References

• Water Heater Repair Guide: How to Light Your Water Heater Pilot
• YouTube Classic Manuals: How to Light a Standing Pilot Light - Hot Water Heater