Lighting water heater manually

Randy Knotts

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Dec 15, 2016, 5:14:04 PM12/15/16

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If electronic light does not work,can I light gas water heater manually

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for full context, visit http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/lighting-water-heater-manually-1118130-.htm

trader_4

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Dec 15, 2016, 5:26:43 PM12/15/16

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Probably. If there was no hot water and I wanted to take a shower,
I bet I could figure out how to light mine. But without even knowing
what kind of WH you have or your skill level, I think it might be
dangerous to try to tell you how.

Meanie

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Dec 15, 2016, 5:44:24 PM12/15/16

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On 12/15/2016 5:14 PM, Randy Knotts wrote:
> If electronic light does not work,can I light gas water heater manually
>

HUH? Your gas water heater has a pilot light which remains lit and heats
when temps fall below the specified setting. If that pilot light blows
out, you can relight it with a long lighter or match. If it's still lit,
there is no reason to light anything. Therefore, please elaborate on
"electronic light".

trader_4

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Dec 15, 2016, 6:00:36 PM12/15/16

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Many, probably most new WH now have electronic ignition, not a standing
pilot light, just like furnaces, stoves, etc.

Gordon Shumway

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Dec 15, 2016, 6:57:20 PM12/15/16

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On Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:14:01 +0000, Randy Knotts <caedfaa9ed1216d60ef...@example.com> wrote:

>If electronic light does not work,can I light gas water heater manually

Is there any chance you're related to Don?

Meanie

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Dec 15, 2016, 7:27:06 PM12/15/16

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I thought that's what he meant but wanted elaboration.

Then to answer the OPs question...... (which I found)

The only water heaters that use electronic glow igniters are power-vent
units. If that's what you have, then no, you can't light that type with
a match. The igniter may not even be the problem. You can light a
standard gravity flow gas water heater, which are now lit by the same
type igniter used to light your gas grill, it's called a piezo igniter.
It makes a small spark jump between two electrodes to light the gas from
the pilot when you push the button. If the igniter doesn't work you can
light the pilot by hand but it will require removing the new sealed
chamber door, which can be a daunting task to say the least, and in
order for the burner to burn efficiently the door must be then replaced
and resealed. ( A lot of work). If you're going to go to all that
trouble, you may as well replace the igniter itself while you have it apart.

trader_4

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Dec 15, 2016, 8:13:47 PM12/15/16

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On Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 7:27:06 PM UTC-5, Meanie wrote:
> On 12/15/2016 6:00 PM, trader_4 wrote:
> > On Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 5:44:24 PM UTC-5, Meanie wrote:
> >> On 12/15/2016 5:14 PM, Randy Knotts wrote:
> >>> If electronic light does not work,can I light gas water heater manually
> >>>
> >>
> >> HUH? Your gas water heater has a pilot light which remains lit and heats
> >> when temps fall below the specified setting. If that pilot light blows
> >> out, you can relight it with a long lighter or match. If it's still lit,
> >> there is no reason to light anything. Therefore, please elaborate on
> >> "electronic light".
> >
> > Many, probably most new WH now have electronic ignition, not a standing
> > pilot light, just like furnaces, stoves, etc.
> >
>
> I thought that's what he meant but wanted elaboration.
>
> Then to answer the OPs question...... (which I found)
>
> The only water heaters that use electronic glow igniters are power-vent
> units. If that's what you have, then no, you can't light that type with
> a match.

I bet I can light many power vent WHs with a long stick match, the same
match that you'd use to light a WH with pilot. But one of those butane
lighters made for grills, etc works better.

The igniter may not even be the problem. You can light a
> standard gravity flow gas water heater, which are now lit by the same
> type igniter used to light your gas grill, it's called a piezo igniter.
> It makes a small spark jump between two electrodes to light the gas from
> the pilot when you push the button. If the igniter doesn't work you can
> light the pilot by hand but it will require removing the new sealed
> chamber door, which can be a daunting task to say the least,

That might be a problem on the new WHs. The power vent one I'm familiar
with, the burner and igniter are visible, easily accessible.

and in
> order for the burner to burn efficiently the door must be then replaced
> and resealed. ( A lot of work). If you're going to go to all that
> trouble, you may as well replace the igniter itself while you have it apart.

I think the idea is to get it going so the guy can take a shower,
not a long term fix.

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Dec 15, 2016, 9:36:33 PM12/15/16

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Manyn newer water heaters don't need a match - they have a piexo
lighter built in - likely what the OP is referring to as the
"electronic lighter"

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Dec 15, 2016, 9:38:38 PM12/15/16

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Some of them are no more sealed than the old match-lite units - in
which case you CAN easily light them with a match. Usuall 1 philips
screw to keep the sliding door in place.