How to Light a Water Heater with An Electronic Pilot

Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home. Without it, showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry are practically impossible. If you live in or around the Philadelphia area, you can rely on Sanks Mechanical for all your water heater needs. Our licensed and insured company specializes in water heater repair and replacement. Here’s how to light a water heater with an electronic pilot.

Steps for Reigniting Your Water Heater’s Pilot

If your pilot goes out, you may be left wondering how to light a water heater with an electronic pilot. Lighting a water heater with an electric pilot is easy. Simply follow these seven easy steps, and you’ll have your water heater lit in just a few short minutes.

1. Locate the gas control assembly. This part of your water heater is a box at the base of the tank containing key parts of the system.
2. Turn the fan circuit on if your unit has one.
3. Find the gas valve and turn it on.
4.  Turn the gas dial to “pilot.”
5. Push the gas knob while performing step six.
6. Pressing down on the knob once per second, look for the status light to start blinking. Once the status light is blinking, you know the pilot is lit.
7. Once you have successfully ignited the pilot light, you can adjust the heat to your desired setting. You will be able to see the blue flame of the pilot light through the viewing window.

Why Your Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Pilot lights can be sensitive, and there are several reasons why your electronic pilot light may go out. A dirty pilot tube or thermocouple, bent or broken thermocouple, wiring issues, faulty valves, and problems with the flex tube are just a few things that can cause a pilot light to go out repeatedly. While cleaning and replacing parts can solve some of these problems, sometimes it’s best to have the water heater replaced. Your water heater specialist will be able to professionally diagnose your pilot light issue so you can take the most cost-effective action to fix it.

Do You Need Help with Your Water Heater? Call Sanks Mechanical

If your pilot light goes out, you’ll need to know how to light a water heater with an electronic pilot. Although the process is straightforward, sometimes folks feel more comfortable calling a professional water heater repair specialist. If you need help with your water heater, you can rely on the team at Sanks Mechanical to get your unit back up and running. Contact us today for a water heater repair estimate.