The thermocouple is a key component of any water heater. It's what closes the gas valve when the pilot light goes out. This safety feature is included with the valve so gas won't just leak out if the flame isn't there anymore.
Lack of Hot Water or Warm Air
In many systems, a broken pilot light will prevent the appliance from working at all. This is a safety precaution to prevent a buildup of excess gas in the unit, which can be dangerous for you and your family, potentially leading to a gas leak.
This valve operates automatically and shuts off gas flow as soon as the pilot goes out, preventing any risks of excessive gas buildup. That said, even the failsafe system can malfunction, so any time your pilot is out, be sure to carefully check for any strong gas odors, like the scent of sulfur or rotten eggs.
If the pilot light goes out, the gas will stop flowing and your unit will shut off. When heating is required, the gas control valve releases the gas into the main burner where the pilot light ignites the gas. Apart from lighting the main burner, the pilot light also provides warmth to the thermocouple.
To check if your gas valve is leaking, turn off the gas supply to the water heater and remove the access panel. Look for any signs of gas leaks, such as hissing sounds or the smell of gas. If you notice any signs of a gas leak, call a professional plumber to address the issue immediately.
While a faint gas smell might not necessarily indicate a serious issue, a strong or persistent odor demands attention. It's important to differentiate between a normal, intermittent odor and a potential gas leak.
The thermocouple's job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That's important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit. But if the pilot flame goes out, then the gas would still be released. After a while, the gas could collect in your home and become a health hazard.
Another way to identify your water heater type is to look for a pilot (flame). To do this, you will need to locate the access panel on the unit and see if you can spot a bluish flame – if you do, then you are seeing a gas-powered unit in action.
Water Heater Pilot Light Replacement
Replacing the pilot light in a water heater should cost between $75 and $150. The pilot light might go out for various reasons on your gas water heater. It's rare for a heater to require a full replacement of the pilot light assembly.
Typically, extinguishing the pilot light in the summer is safe and often sound practice. However, several factors must be considered, including safety, energy efficiency, and cost.
Yes, if either the shutoff valve or the “city side” of the gas line is faulty. (Obviously there will not be a leak inside the house, but there can still be gas escaping into the local environment.)
Note that it is totally normal on automatic pilots (pilots that do NOT stay lit all the time) to smell a little natural gas when they are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.
A pilot light may need to be re-lit from time to time after being extinguished on purpose or by accident. If it is accidentally extinguished, there exists a danger that the gas used to keep the flame lit will continue to vent, possibly into the living space.
The first step is to turn off the gas supply valve. You can typically find the valve near the base of the water heater and turn it off by rotating it 90 degrees until it's perpendicular to the gas line. Afterward, you'll have to turn off the pilot light.
If you have figured out that the leak is actually coming from your water heater, then you should turn off the water to your tank. Most hot water tanks have a shutoff valve on the cold inlet pipes. Gate-style valves: A gate valve looks like a little wheel.
Although an electronic igniter should light the burner almost immediately, a small amount of gas may flow before the burner lights. As such, there are times when you may notice a very faint gas smell when the water heater first turns on and starts heating. However, the gas smell should dissipate almost immediately.
Gas water heaters are generally less expensive to operate than electric water heaters. Based on national averages, electric water heaters cost $42 a month. Gas water heaters average $30. Of course, your water usage habits and water heater setting also affect monthly energy costs.
The thermocouple is a key component of any water heater. It's what closes the gas valve when the pilot light goes out. This safety feature is included with the valve so gas won't just leak out if the flame isn't there anymore.
Step 1: Turn Off the Heating Source
You should turn off your water heater's heat source before flushing it to reduce the risk of scalds.
Your thermocouple senses when your pilot light is burning. The tip of the thermocouple sits over the pilot flame, generating a voltage that keeps the gas valve open. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater.
Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals. Exit the property and call 911 if you suspect your home has a gas leak.
Here's what you should DO if you smell gas: DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak. Get to a safe area as quickly as possible. After leaving your home, DO call the 24-hour emergency number for Peoples at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.
No, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms cannot detect natural gas leaks. They are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas formed during incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, gas, propane, and wood.