Hot Water Heater Pilot Light

If you need to light your hot water heater pilot light you came to the right place. You can light your own pilot light. Water heater pilots are easy and safe to light. Just follow the instructions below.

These instructions are for lighting the pilot on the newer style water heaters.
The newer style has a spark generator and a sealed burner.

If you have an older style water heater that can be lit with a match, click the link below for lighting instructions. water heater pilot light water heater pilot light

Lighting the pilot on newer style gas water heaters

Safety First
Never try to light your pilot if you smell gas. Stand near your water heater. Can you smell gas? Kneel down near the bottom of your water heater. If you smell gas call your gas supplier.

Newer style gas
water heater.

Step One

Set the temperature control
to its lowest setting.

Step Two

Set the on-off control
to the pilot setting.

Step Three

Press the hot water heater
pilot button down and
hold it.

Step Four

While looking through the
the sight glass slowly press the spark generator until you here it click.

Step Five

You should see a spark
from the generator and the
pilot light should light.

Hold the pilot button down
20 to 30 seconds after the
pilot is lit.

If the pilot didn't light you may have air in the line. While holding the pilot button down, press the generator button every 10 seconds until the pilot lights.

Don't forget to hold the pilot button down after the pilot is lit.The thermocouple must have time to get hot before the button is released.

Step Six

Set the on/off knob
to the on position.

Turn the temperature
control to the desired
setting.

You should hear the
burner fire up and be
able to see the flame through the site glass.

If your hot water heater pilot light goes out very often, check out the water heater troubleshooting guide for more help.

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