If you’ve replaced your water heater within the past few years, you may have been surprised to learn that your new unit doesn’t use a traditional standing pilot light. As with furnaces, most new gas water heaters no longer use pilot lights for ignition and instead typically use some type of electronic igniter. Here’s a quick look at the reasons that pilot lights aren’t used any longer and also what type of ignition they use instead.
The primary reason that most water heater manufacturers have moved away from using standing pilot lights is to improve energy efficiency. A standing pilot light needs to constantly burn a small amount of gas to stay lit, and this contributes to quite a bit of energy waste.
Depending on the specific model, a water heater’s pilot light will typically burn somewhere between 5 and 10 therms of natural gas per month. At the national average rate of around $0.95 per therm, a pilot light will end up costing you an extra $5 to $10 a month.
The other main reason that pilot lights are rarely used these days is that they aren’t that reliable. If your gas supply is ever interrupted or the pilot light gets blown out, you will need to relight it manually before your water heater will work again. Modern water heaters eliminate this issue by using an electronic igniter that works automatically.
* Caution: Most modern water heaters no longer use standing pilots. They use electronic ignition to ignite the gas. Do not attempt to manually light an electronic ignition system.
However, with the new high efficiency systems now available (furnaces can score 90% or higher AFUE), more gas-powered heaters use an electronic ignition system. These ignition systems help the furnaces and boilers achieve their high fuel efficiency ratings. Some models still us a pilot light along with the electronic ignition, but most need only the electronic igniter.
Hot surface igniters: These are the most common electronic ignitions systems because of their low cost and reliability. They are made from silicon nitride (or sometimes silicon carbide), and as electricity passes through them, they begin to turn red hot—similar to the way a light bulb filament works. A flame detector senses the heat from the igniter, opens the burner valve, and the heat from the igniter turns on the jets. It requires no pilot light at all. These igniters will last for a good many years, but will probably need replacement before your heater does. Have an HVAC expert handle this.
The familiar way that gas-powered furnaces, boilers, and hot water heaters turn on their gas jets to begin the heating process is with a pilot light. The pilot light has a gas supply running to it to keep it lit, and a thermocouple registers when it is on so that, should the flame go out for some reason, the thermocouple will in turn shut off the gas.
Similar to pilot lights, electronic igniters aren’t pieces of equipment a homeowner should tamper with if they develop faults. Electronic ignition systems are still connected to a gas-powered device, and you should always leave such systems to professionals. Make sure you use caution for problems with your heating in Naperville, IL and contact Lifeline Plumbing for repairs.
If you’ve replaced your water heater within the past few years, you may have been surprised to learn that your new unit doesn’t use a traditional standing pilot light. As with furnaces, most new gas water heaters no longer use pilot lights for ignition and instead typically use some type of electronic igniter. Here’s a quick look at the reasons that pilot lights aren’t used any longer and also what type of ignition they use instead.
The primary reason that most water heater manufacturers have moved away from using standing pilot lights is to improve energy efficiency. A standing pilot light needs to constantly burn a small amount of gas to stay lit, and this contributes to quite a bit of energy waste.
Depending on the specific model, a water heater’s pilot light will typically burn somewhere between 5 and 10 therms of natural gas per month. At the national average rate of around $0.95 per therm, a pilot light will end up costing you an extra $5 to $10 a month.
Many new water heaters still use a pilot light. However, instead of a traditional pilot light that is constantly lit, they use an intermittent or automatic pilot. This still uses a flame to ignite the gas burners, but the unit lights the pilot automatically whenever it needs to heat and then extinguishes the pilot flame as soon as the unit shuts down.
The other main reason that pilot lights are rarely used these days is that they aren’t that reliable. If your gas supply is ever interrupted or the pilot light gets blown out, you will need to relight it manually before your water heater will work again. Modern water heaters eliminate this issue by using an electronic igniter that works automatically.
How to light the pilot on a Rheem gas water heater
FAQ
Do all gas water heaters have electronic ignition?
How do I determine if electronic ignition is bad on my water heater?
Which is better standing pilot or electronic ignition water heater?
Do gas water heaters have electronic ignition?
Yes, gas water heaters typically have electronic ignition. In most cases, they will have an ignition system which is powered by either batteries or an electrical connection. This ignition works by using a spark to light the pilot light and ensure the main burner ignites.
What is an electronic pilot water heater ignition?
Electronic Pilot Water Heater Ignition Types (How Do They Work?) Your pilot light provides the ignition source for the gas which powers your water heater. Older models sometimes require you to use matches or another external heat source to light the pilot, but modern water heaters use an electronic ignition.
How does an electronic ignition hot water heater work?
An electronic ignition hot water heater works by using a spark ignition system, which eliminates the need for a pilot light. After the water heater is started, a spark from the electronic module ignites the gas burner.
Why does my electronic ignition water heater not light?
Sometimes, electronic ignition water heaters won’t light due to improper voltage or loose wires. Whether the unit be underpowered or there is a bad thermocouple, let’s take a look at what you can do when an electronic ignition water heater won’t light. Water heaters can seem a little bit intimidating since they use gas, and heat, to warm the water.