Why Does My Water Heater’s Pilot Light Keep Going Out?
by AquaTemp
These days, when our hot water goes out on us, it is more than an inconvenience. Our lifestyles depend on hot water in our daily routines. In fact, we are so dependent upon it, water heating ranks second to only space heating for highest energy consumption in the North America.
According to Natural Resources Canada, the average Canadian home consumes 17.2 percent of their energy for heating up water.
Sometimes It Is Lights Out
The most common reason the pilot light on your water heater keeps going out has to do with its thermocouple. Our AquaTemp heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals can either quickly repair or replace your thermocouple to restore hot water to your Saskatoon home in no time.
What Is a Thermocouple?
In the simplest of definitions, your water heater’s thermocouple is an eye for the heating burner. More importantly, it is the device that regulates the gas flow inside your water heater or even your furnace.
Your thermocouple has two wires—one that sits near gas and temperature control valve, with the other resting by the pilot light flame. When the flame activates, the thermocouple senses this and sends an electric signal to open the gas valve, which allows the heating combustion to take place.
If your pilot light goes out our burner fails to ignite properly, the thermocouple senses this and signals for the gas valve to close. When your issue is a faulty thermocouple, the most common sign is a malfunctioning pilot light.
What Causes the Thermocouple to Malfunction?
When your thermocouple is at fault, these are the top three reasons:
1. Dirty thermocouple
Over time your water heater will collect dirt, dust, and other types of combustion process debris. Buildup on your thermocouple can cause a malfunction as it can no longer properly sense the flame. This is an easy do-it-yourself (DIY) fix—simply let everything cool down and brush the dirt or debris carefully off your thermocouple with a soft cloth or steel wool.
2. Out of place thermocouple
Your thermocouple easily bends and this could be the issue. The end sitting near the flame is what communicates with the gas valve and tells the valve to open or close.
If it is bent away from the flame, it will not be able to sense it and will keep the gas valve closed. To fix this issue, just wait for your water heater to cool down, then carefully and delicately bend the end back to its proper location.
Not comfortable proceeding with this? Then do not attempt the repair yourself. Instead, call AquaTemp and let one of our HVAC experts address the adjustment.
3. Damaged thermocouple
If your thermocouple is neither dirty nor out of place, you most likely have a damaged or malfunctioning product. This needs professional involvement. Our highly trained team members can promptly come out to your Saskatchewan home and diagnose and replace, if necessary, your thermocouple.
Sometimes the scenario may not directly involve the thermocouple. It is possible it can be something else—perhaps a dirty pilot light opening. In this case, the sullied opening causes a smaller flame, preventing the thermocouple to sense effectively.
If you attempt to diagnose and repair the issue on your own but have no success, then it is definitely important to get one of our professionals involved.
Contact Us for All Your Water Heater Needs
Whether your water heater pilot light will not ignite or it is time for a new model, our AquaTemp experts are here for you in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Contact us at 306-370-8678 or request service online today. Your safety and comfort are number one priorities to us.
