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dutchev's avatar
dutchev
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013

**** Pilots going out *****

We usually run our water heater on electric but have shut the electric down and used the inside switch to light the gas. The pilot lit and and we had hot water. My problem is that for the next few days it seems that the pilot light had gone out twice and i had to flick the switch on again. I have propane so i was wondering since it has been so windy here could the pilot light have blown out.

2 Replies

  • If it has a switch for the gas then it doesn't have a pilot light.
    Leave the switch on and the gas will light and extinguish as needed.
  • Are you sure it has a pilot light? Newer water heaters have a spark ignition that lights the main burner. Once the water gets to temperature the burner shuts off. When the temperature drops the burner is lit again. If you have a heater with electronic ignition you need to leave the switch on.