Introduction

If your hot water heater suddenly stops working, chances are a bad thermocouple has shut off the gas to the pilot light. Replacement is an easy DIY repair.

No hot water? If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. You’ll get your hot water going without waiting for a professional to show up and you’ll save the cost of a service call.

Read on to learn how to light a pilot light.

What is a Thermocouple?

• A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner.
• A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit.

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