Why Does the Water Heater Pilot Light Keep Going Out?
Our lifestyles depend on hot water in our daily routines. In fact, we are so dependent upon it that water heating ranks second only to space heating and cooling for the highest energy consumption in the United States.
So if our hot water goes out on us, it is a major inconvenience.
If your water heater’s pilot light won’t stay lit or electric ignition fails, a faulty thermocouple could be to blame. This small but essential component works as a flame sensor—it verifies a flame is present and controls the gas flow for safe operation. When it malfunctions, your water heater may shut off unexpectedly, leaving you without hot water.
But how can you tell if the thermocouple is the issue?
Common signs include a pilot light that repeatedly goes out, difficulty relighting it, or visible damage to the thermocouple itself. In this blog, Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning will walk you through how to diagnose a bad thermocouple and what steps you can take to fix or replace it.
Whether you’re comfortable with a DIY approach or need professional help in Somers Point, understanding the thermocouple’s role can save you time and frustration. Keep reading to learn how to get your water heater back up and running!
We’ll cover:
- What Is a Thermocouple?
- What Causes the Thermocouple to Malfunction—and Its Repair?
- Contact for Your Water Heater Repair
What Is a Thermocouple?
In the simplest of definitions, your water heater’s thermocouple measures temperature. More importantly, it is the device that regulates the gas flow inside your water heater—there’s even one in your furnace.
Your thermocouple has two wires—one near the thermostat and the other by the ignition source. When the temperature goes up, the thermocouple sends an electric signal to open the gas valve, allowing combustion to take place.
If your pilot light goes out, the thermocouple senses the drop in temperature and signals for the gas valve to close. Without gas to fuel the flame, your water heater will fail to work.
What Causes the Thermocouple to Malfunction—and Its Repair?
When your thermocouple is at fault, these are the top three reasons:
1. Dirty thermocouple—clean it!
Over time, your water heater will collect dirt, dust, and other types of debris. Buildup on your thermocouple can cause a malfunction. This is an easy do-it-yourself fix—simply let everything cool down (and power it off!) and brush the dirt or debris carefully off your thermocouple.
2. Bent thermocouple—straighten it!
Your thermocouple easily bends, and this could be the issue. The end sitting near the pilot light flame communicates with the gas valve and tells the valve to open or close.
If bent away from the flame, it will not register heat and keep the gas valve closed. So, ensure your water heater is cooled down and powered off, then delicately bend the end back.
Not comfortable proceeding with this? Then do not attempt the repair yourself. Instead, call Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning and let one of our experts address the adjustment.
3. Damaged thermocouple—replace it!
If your thermocouple is neither dirty nor bent, you most likely have a damaged or malfunctioning product. This needs professional involvement. Our highly trained team members can promptly come to your New Jersey home and diagnose and replace your thermocouple if necessary.
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 the pilot flame to cool down, preventing the thermocouple to warm effectively.
If you attempt to diagnose and repair the issue on your own but have no success, then get one of our professionals involved. We’ve served the area for many years and have handled all types of water heater issues. We can tackle your repair and get your water running hot once more!
Contact Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Water Heater Repair
A faulty thermocouple can leave you without hot water, but recognizing the warning signs can help you address the issue quickly. Simple troubleshooting and a quick DIY fix may resolve the issue.
If you’ve gone through the recommended troubleshooting steps and your water heater still isn’t working properly, it’s best to call an expert to dig a litter deeper for a repair diagnosis.
Need help diagnosing or fixing your water heater? Contact Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today for expert water heater repair and maintenance services. Call 609-241-9281 or request service online today. We’ll make sure you have reliable hot water when you need it most!