GAS Hot Water Not Working | How to light a Gas Pilot Light
There are 3 common types of gas hot water systems:
1) Storage Tank Gas hot water
2) Instantaneous Gas hot water system
3) Continuous Flow Gas hot water system.
If your GAS hot water is not working, then it is likely that your gas pilot light has gone out.
The pilot light can go out for a few reasons:
Excess wind
Storms
LPG gas bottle is empty or recently exchanged
Natural gas, there may have been gas works or interaction on the gas line in your street
Blockage.
1) STORAGE GAS HOT WATER - GAS HOT WATER NOT WORKING | PILOT LIGHT TROUBLESHOOT
Re-lighting your gas storage hot water system is relatively easy, but you must follow the manufacturer instructions carefully.
It is vital that you do not allow excess build up of gas while doing this procedure. Working with Gas can be dangerous if not done correctly. If you are unsure or not confident, contact your local gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting for advice.
Step 1 - Remove any flammable items like fuel, matches or cigarette lighters from around the area.
Step 2 - Remove the access cover on the storage hot water tank. Look on the back of this cover for the manufacturer instructions on how to re-light gas pilot light.
Step 3 - It is IMPORTANT to check for any gas leaks. This can easily be done by simply smelling for gas. Get down to the ground as low as possible and smell for gas. Gas behaves the same as water, but you can see water, but you cannot smell gas. This is why you need to be smelling down low on the ground.
* YES you smell gas -Turn OFF the gas control + the gas valve on the gas line to the hot water system. Leave the area & call your gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting.
* NO you do not smell gas - Continue
Confirming that you do not smell gas, there is no gas leak.
You are about to light the ignition. This is a straightforward procedure, but you need to follow it exactly.
Note: Do not use any tools to turn gas controls. If you cannot turn the controls by hand, then you need to contact your licensed gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting.
Step 4 - Locate & turn the gas control knob anti-clockwise to the OFF position. Depending on the brand of hot water system, the control may or may not click when you reach the OFF position. Again depending on the brand, the picture of the OFF position may be a circle.
Step 5 - WAIT 5 MINUTES.
This is important to allow any un-burnt gas to dissipate.
If you do not wait the complete 5 minutes, it will be dangerous to continue as the next step (ignition button) will ignite any un-dissipated gas which may cause injury or damage.
Step 6 - Igniting the pilot.
Locate & sight the pilot ignition button. DO NOT press it just yet.
Step 7 - Turn the CONTROL knob clockwise to the pilot light position. The symbol should look like a starburst.
Step 8 - Once the knob is on the starburst or pilot position, depress & hold the control knob down for 3 seconds, this will release gas to allow the pilot to light.
Step 9 - While holding down this control knob, using your other hand, repeatedly press the ignition button up to 30 times or up to 30 seconds.
Step 10 - Keep holding the control knob in for another 20 seconds & release.
Step 11 - Check to see if the pilot light is lit.
The pilot light is a small blue flame, at the base in the combustion opening.
Keep your head as clear or away from the combustion opening.
YES - the pilot light lit - then you can continue.
or
NO - Go to the bottom * for further instructions.
Step 12 - Pilot light is lit.
Turn the control knob clockwise to #6. This will allow the burner to light to heat the water when required.
The burner may be a little noisy when it initially lights but should quieten after approx 5 seconds.
Step 13 - Replace the cover.
If at any stage you are not confident or unsure on what to do, turn off the gas supply to your hot water system & contact your local gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting on (07) 3807 7327.
* NO - If your pilot light did not light.
It is IMPORTANT that you turn the gas control anti clockwise to the OFF position & WAIT 5 MINUTES before proceeding.
Go back to STEP 5 & start again.
If your gas hot water system does not light, you will need to contact your gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting as it will need a service.
Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting offers same day emergency service to residents between Brisbane & Gold Coast, including Logan City if you lodge your job before 11 am Monday to Friday. 07 3807 7327
If you have an after hours or weekend emergency no hot water - contact the after hours number 0447 671 095.
Gas fitting is a licensed trade, you must only use a licensed gas fitter to install or repair your gas hot water system.
2) INSTANTANEOUS or CONTINUOUS GAS HOT WATER SYSTEM - GAS HOT WATER NOT WORKING
Instantaneous or continuous gas hot water systems operate differently from a gas storage hot water system.
These hot water systems can be very compact, saving both wall and floor space.
The newer brands of these hot water systems such as Rinnai, Rheem & Dux do not run with a pilot light, while the older type such as Pyrox & some of the older Bosch models do.
Brands such as Rinnai, Rheem, Dux & some Bosch instantaneous/continuous hot water systems have 240 Volt electric ignition, battery-powered electronic ignition or hydro start ignition.
The gas ignition burner on some of these models lights automatically when a hot water tap is turned on and goes out when the hot tap is turned off.
The IGNITION IS ELECTRONIC which means it is not run by a pilot light which minimizes running costs.
When the hot water tap is off there is no gas being used.
If your gas hot water is not working, then we recommend you try the following.
Make sure there is no fuel, matches or cigarette lighters in the area.
If you are unsure or not confident, turn off the gas supply to the hot water unit, and contact your gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting.
Step 1 - Remove the cover on the hot water system. The instructions are for your particular brand of instantaneous or continuous hot water system are on the back of the panel.
Step 2 - Smell for any gas. Get low to the ground & smell for gas. If you smell gas, shut down the gas valve to the hot water system & contact your gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting.
Step 3 - No gas smell - Continue
As there are so many types of these instant hot water systems, we recommend following the manufacturer instructions or call your local gas technician or Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting on 0447 671 095.
Working with gas can be dangerous.
Work performed on your gas hot water system must only be done by a qualified licensed gas fitter.