Why Your Pilot Light Keeps Going Out & How To Fix [With Pictures]

That dang pilot light keeps going out !!! And it's ruining everything you had planned today! Nothing beats the feeling of a hot water shower. But when it doesn't happen...well let's just say there are some things worse than taking a cold bath! The one thing everyone despises is no hot water. This can be extremely frustrating - not only for showering, but for all the other tasks you need hot water to perform. So much for all the cleaning, laundry, and hand washing that needs to be done!

You don’t have to put your day on hold due to an unreliable pilot light. Read more to find out what a pilot light is, why it’s so critical to your comfort, how to relight it, and how to protect your comfort going forward.

But, if you discover that your water heater leaking water is the source of your water dilemma check out our post on what to do when your water heater is leaking water! 

What’s A Pilot Light?

The pilot light is a device that holds a continuously burning flame. The purpose of this part is to ignite the burner. How? Well, when your appliance is turned on, gas is released from the main burner, and the pilot light flame ignites the gas to provide heat. As this heat warms the main burner, air or water inside your appliance is heated and then distributed as necessary throughout your home or business. 

Appliances With Pilot Lights

A pilot light is more likely to be found in water heaters or in older furnaces and boilers. You may also find that your gas fireplace has a pilot light as well. To learn how to turn on your gas fireplace pilot light explore here. In the more recent years pilot lights are being replaced with a hot surface igniter or a spark igniter. 

The pilot flame ignites the gas to create warmth in your home or business. So if your hot water is not working, inspect your water heater pilot light. And if you have no heat check to see if your furnace or boiler pilot light has gone out.

Water Heater Pilot Light: Where Is It And What Does It Do?

At the base of your gas water heater, you will find an access panel directly beneath the thermostat. Inside the access panel lies the gas water heater pilot light. There will be a gas panel where you can see if the pilot flame is lit. The pilot light is a small flame used to ignite the gas burner on your water heater. This is necessary for warming the water that will be redistributed throughout your home. If you have no hot water and relighting your pilot light is unsuccessful, you will need a water heater repair.