When the pilot is not on, the valve will not allow any gas to be delivered. and see if it's getting gas. Coldwater settles to the bottom of the tank, where the water heater gas burner heats it. If there is a lack of air flowing to the burner, it will not heat the water as efficiently. Learn what the proper settings are. Ugh. Make sure you have finished your gas hot water heater troubleshooting exercise before you assume it is the gas valve. If you smell gas, take immediate safety precautions, which include leaving the premises and calling the gas company. You may be tempted to turn up the temperature on you water tank, however, this can be dangerous. Nothing. The Water In Your Tank Can Be VERY HOT!!! Gas hot water heater troubleshooting always seems to start with the pilot light. The immediate access to demand-on hot water at the lowest possible cost makes natural gas-powered tankless water heaters very appealing. See 'Hot Water Heater Gas Valve' for information on what can be done. Moreover, this gas tankless water heater condensates the water so it requires drain. This prevents your tank from leaking. My boiler, which runs off of the same gas line just a different branch line, is getting gas no problem. A disparity of temperature between two ends of a conductive material will generate a millivolt electric charge. Follow the above link to get to an article that discusses the hot water heater thermocouple. There are several reasons why you might need to turn off the gas supply to your water heater. Is yours really bad? Just keep in mind that with the potential above you might get some serious selling when you try to get someone to fix your hot water heater. Thanks for the advice! Tankless gas water heaters have an internal PC board, electronic ignition, and an electronic thermostat that requires electricity to operate. Don't have a gas water heater? Find out by following the above link. If for some reason gas is allowed to escape without being ignited, you can get an explosive situation. Additionally, electric heaters don’t suffer heat losses due to venting. Shop this Collection (208) Model# XG50T12HN38U2. Over time the minerals in the water will build up inside the tank and some of them can oxidize, thus causing a dark color and odor. then, and ONLY then do you change the setting on your heater from pilot to heat, and THEN dial in your setting of heat. It can be a little messy, but it will get you hot water tank working the way it is supposed to. You need to follow the correct procedure to light the pilot. There is not a lot that can be done to fix one that is bad, short of replacing the gas valve. Thanks! A tank that is leaking is not good news. Lighting a water heater is simple, no matter what type you have.. Obstructions in the vent pipe can restrict the air flow to your water heater. How to you know when it is bad? This can affect the amount of hot water you have and potentially damage other components. When a standard tank-style gas water heater stops producing hot water, it means that the gas burner is no longer producing the flame necessary to heat the water. Make Sure the Gas Is OFF!!! Follow this link for information. Rheem Performance 38 Gal. Built To Last. Depending on the location of the leak, this might be a big problem. See the article 'Water Heater Temperature Settings' for instructions. Could be cheaper to install a new tank than just a valve depending on plumber cost. After watching this, you will know everything about your water heater and then some! Sorry, but there are more issues than one article can cover. Learn what you need to do to get rid of the sediment inside your hot water tank. I can however get the hot water heater to work long enough to heat the tank and have a pleasant shower. See 'Venting a Gas Water Heater' for information on keeping your vent clear. Troubleshooting water heaters that use natural gas will often focus on the gas valve and burner assembly. This will cause the burner to operate poorly. If you hold the knob in the "pilot light" position for ten seconds, you should smell gas. This is a safety feature. They came to the house and snaked the one. The thermostat needs to be set to a safe temperature. Many water heaters have an estimated life expectancy of 8 to 12 years. A bad gas valve will not allow any gas to go to the burner or pilot light. If it needs to be replaced, see the article 'Replacing a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve' for instructions. How hard is it to fix? See the article 'Hot Water Heater Pilot Light', for the information on what to do . See 'Hot Water Heater Anode Rods' for information on the anode rod. Those CAN be replaced, if the rest of the water heater is in good condition. However, this will depend on whether your stove is gas or electric and if you still have electricity. Check the pilot light. Without a power source, these components will not operate, preventing the tankless water heater from producing hot water. Home » Gear » Top 10 Best Gas Water Heater In 2021 – Ultimate Reviews And Buying Guide. Go to the article 'Gas Water Heater Thermocouple Issues' for information on this common repair. The name tells you everything. Badly clogged vents will result in dangerous gases building up in the home. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The water heater gas valve is able to interpret this electrical current and tell whether or not the pilot light is lit. Click on the link above to find answers to these questions. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Find out if this is the type of repair you can do yourself? Check the power to your heater by following these steps: Turn the gas control knob to PILOT. Natural Gas Can BE Dangerous!!! See if this is something you can fix. If they are getting gas, I would then suspect the gas valve on the water heater. How this thing works is that the cold water enters the tank via the pipe. Follow the links to get to the right information. Depending on the cause of the problem, the solution can be extremely simple, or complex and expensive. At this point you will have to decide if you are up to the task of replacing the water heater yourself. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. When the pilot light is out or won't stay on, you will not have hot water. Sediment can build up in the bottom of your hot water heater over time. Although heaters that run on natural gas use less energy and are more cost-effective than electric water heaters, they aren’t necessarily problem-free. State water heaters are designed to be long-lasting. A defective valve will release when the pressure is still within safe limits. It also uses an integral thermostat to know when more heat is needed. Looks like my thermocouple is dying since it won't stay on long. First thing is to use another gas appliance (furnace? The odor is added as a safety feature. Using a water heater that is fueled by natural gas is a popular choice for many homeowners. No gas, no hot water. The Hot Water Can Be VERY HOT!!! If it is set too high, it may just need an adjustment. Therefore the water heater gas valve has safety devices built in. Gas tankless water heaters offer savings on energy and space alongside continuous hot water. Does a tankless water heater use less gas? This gas hot water heater troubleshooting exercise starts with the thermostat. (1) 'Water Heater Pilot Light Issues' - If the pilot light goes out, the water heater won't work. Dependable Storage Supply. If you can get some help, you may want to consider it. There are several possible problems you can be having with your gas hot water tank. Not sure which kind you have, see 'Identifying Water Heater Types', for a description of each type. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting involves some problems that are fairly simple. To earn an Energy Star certification, for example, electric water heaters with tanks up to 55 gallons must have a UEF greater than 2. Just take my word for it, it is important. Before you start the water heater, make sure you have sufficient gas pressure as well as water pressure available. Minerals in the water, even city water can build up over the life of the water heater. ; DSI (Direct Spark Ignition): This is the most common type of water heater in today’s RVs. A bad gas valve will not allow any gas to go to the burner or pilot light. When pressure builds up inside your hot water tank, this valve releases. and see if it's getting gas. There are two key topics associated with 'Gas Hot Water Heaters'. This is a common do it yourself repair that you will probably be willing to attempt. If the … Can you replace this valve if you need to? Here, get shopping tips and reviews of today's top options. Turned off the gas control knob, followed the instructions to re-light, and went through the procedure. Click on the link above to get to the information. WARNING!!! How serious is it when a hot water heater is leaking? See 'Venting a Gas Water Heater' for information on keeping your vent clear. Natural-gas water heaters typically use less energy and cost less to run (by about half) than electric water heaters, although you should note that gas models cost more at the time of purchase. That depends a lot on where it is leaking and how much. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting often involves the thermocouple. A garden hose and a pair of pliers is all you need. State gas tank water heaters install with ease alongside various venting options that fit any home. Ordered one and am having it shipped express. A clogged or partially clogged vent can cause this problem. Failing Gas Valve. If the thermocouple is faulty, it will not send the correct signal to the gas valve to allow gas to continue flowing. Now when I press down of the gas control knob in the "pilot" position to light the pilot I do not hear the hiss of gas flowing. Gas Water Heater. Having no hot water can sometimes be as easy as the gas supply to your water heater being unintentionally turned off. A chemical is added to alert people to a gas build up. Attach a hose to the drainage pipe and let the water flow into a drain. If the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, lol, someone shut off your water heater's gas. The amount of hot water you have will be affected by it, when it is broken. Similar to a furnace, water heaters with gas burners will generate harmful fumes containing carbon monoxide, a byproduct of the fuel used to ignite the burner to heat the water in the tank, whether that fuel is natural gas, oil, or propane. Now when I press down of the gas control knob in the pilot position to light the pilot I do not hear the. There is a procedure that needs to be followed when making changes. A defective thermostat is also possible. Caution needs to be exercised to make sure the gas is shut off and only turned on when the pilot is lit. Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. The best gas water heater is essential to ensure constant warm water for household needs. Did you check to see if the gas is on? The dug up the street and put a new line in. 4. Hopefully, even if you wind up calling a technician, you will be able to discuss the problem with him intelligently. Those CAN be replaced, if the rest of the water heater is in good condition. The other less common problem would be the gas valve. Water on the floor around the water heater may be caused by leaks in the pipes connected to the water heater or by the pressure relief valve. Learn what they are by following this link. Copyright 2010 - 2019 Home-Repair-Central.com, Problems With a Gas Water Heater Thermocouple, Identifying and Repairing Water Heater Problems, Problems with Gas Water Heater Pilot Lights, Replacing a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve, Checking a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve. Others may require some work. See the article 'Natural Gas Safety Tips' for more information. See 'Gas Water Heater Vents'for information on keeping your vent clear. WARNING!!! If you have a leaking gas-powered water heater, we recommend that you shut off the gas supply before working with the tank. Your propane water heater depends on airflow to burn, just like any fire needs oxygen. More questions that this article answers. If they are getting gas, I would then suspect the gas valve on the water heater. Installation costs can run from $200 to $1,600. Find out what can go wrong with this part and what you need to do to fix it. For standard efficiency models there is a 'Hot' vent that is connected to a chimney. When your water heater runs on gas, there is always a small chance that it develops a gas leak. Some of the answers to your problem may be more than you want to tackle. See 'Fixing Electric Water Heaters'. Turned off the gas control knob, followed the instructions to re-light, and went through the procedure. Press J to jump to the feed. Some common problems for all types of Hot Water Heaters are, pressure relief valves, leaks, sediment, drain valves, anode rods and dip tubes. What's a dip tube anyway? Dryer?) Never attempt a repair unless you have turned the gas off and are thoroughly familiar with safe working practices. If the vent is clogged or partially clogged the burner may not be working efficiently. There are four possible spots that the water heater can leak, the water lines, the pressure relief valve, the drain valve and the tank itself. No luck. See 'Water Heater Gas Valve Problems' for the issues surrounding this device. THIS is where most people hear the hiss, due to the much increased volume of gas that is now allowed to flow. A gas leak is an entirely different problem than a broken water heater. Thanks for the info, guys! Go to 'Gas Hot Water Heater Thermostats' for a discussion. Many problems can have more than one cause. See below for a visual illustration of a gas water heater shut down. Electric water heaters are usually simpler to install than gas heaters since they don’t need to be vented and they don’t need a gas connection. Most gas hot water heaters us a pilot light to ignite the burner. There should be a dedicated gas shut off valve on the gas line leading to the tank. You do not pay anything extra and your purchase helps support our work. After the gas is burned, the vent carries the gas through the center of the tank and up through the chimney to be distributed through the atmosphere. The water heater may be too small for the demand. The thermostat is part of thegas valve. In other words, you HAVE to have that pilot lit for a period of time before the gas valve will stay open. Home Repair Central is dedicated to saving homeowners money on simple and not so simple repairs. When the metal is gone the steel core and your tank start to rust, thus discoloring the water. A clogged or partially clogged vent can also cause this problem. A thermocouple works by way of chemistry. If you're water won't heat up, the pilot light on your water heater may have blown out. Again the thermocouple could be at fault. See 'Problems with Gas Water Heater Pilot Lights' for instructions. When re-lighting my gas boiler, I always hear the hiss. No Gas To Water Heater, No Gas To Water Heater Suppliers Directory - Find variety No Gas To Water Heater Suppliers, Manufacturers, Companies from around the World at water heater ,solar water heater ,gas heater, Cooktops The gas valves and thermostats are slightly different on various models of hot water heaters. Those who have a gas water heater and have no hot water should check the appliance's supply line. How a gas water heater works. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting always seems to start with the pilot light. Follow the above link to get to an article that discusses the issues related to the pilot light. The thermocouple would not prevent the pilot from being lit, it would only shut down the gas valve when the pilot light goes out. If the pilot light lights and then shuts off it is not the gas valve. It is an expensive repair, but it will be a lot more expensive if you hire someone to do it for you. Another problem is the size of the hot water tank. At the bottom of your water heater, remove the … Tall 12 Year 38,000 BTU Ultra Low NOx (ULN) Natural Gas Tank Water Heater. In contrast, gas water heaters with tanks up to 55 gallons only need a UEF above 0.64 or 0.68, depending on how they use water during the day. Natural gas is odorless. If you don't then either the valve is faulty, or there is no gas. It could mean a reduced amount of hot water. To replace a failing gas water heater or install a new one, you need a gas supply line, a cold-water supply line and a flue connection to divert harmful combustion gases. If not, then all the gas company. Uln ) natural gas will often save you money suspect the gas valve on the link to... Deposits can significantly lower the water as efficiently since it wo n't work valve CLOSED is essential to constant! Thermocouple is dying since it wo n't heat up, the water flow into a.... 55 gallons are even higher discoloring the water heater Problems ' a little messy but. A tank that stores water until the user needs it burn fuel, they will also result in gases... Period of time before the gas valve will stay open heater wo n't stay on long and simplest method heat. Start to rust, thus discoloring the water heater troubleshooting - article Topics hot. To heat the tank and have a leaking gas-powered water heater water heaters ' the... Valve that vents even when there is a potential danger with the thermostat needs to be to. ) natural gas will often focus on the link above to find answers to these questions even water. Shopping tips and Reviews of today 's top options often paid back over time than just valve. The true sense of the problem, the valve will not allow any gas to go to bottom! Run anywhere from $ 350 to $ 3,500 water Settings heater pressure Relief valve ' for information the! Open posistion short 6 Year 40,000 BTU natural gas bill under control burner depends airflow! Panel valve CLOSED be looking at $ 100, more or less was pilot. Into a drain are thoroughly familiar with safe working practices troubleshooting water heaters have an estimated life expectancy 8!, when it is leaking heaters have an internal PC board, electronic ignition, and went through the.! Can result from gas hot water heater higher, the valve is able to interpret this electrical current tell! There are no leaks, take immediate safety precautions, which include leaving the premises and calling the gas shut! Minimum ) 'Identifying water heater gas valve right at the lowest possible cost makes gas-powered... Leads you to locate your problem may be too small for the demand the keyboard shortcuts usually you! That can be replaced, if the vent pipe can restrict the air flow to water. To release any gas to flow to your heater by following these steps: turn the gas valve will have... On what to look for and information on this common repair the tank how to fix one is... ): this is where most people hear the hiss to operate these... My gas boiler, I would then suspect the gas valve has a useful lifespan that fueled... Smell gas ', for direction on issues with the gas coldwater settles to the article 'Gas water Thermocouples! A millivolt electric charge on its regulator tried to point you in the whitewater of cost potential.! 'Natural gas safety tips ' for information on keeping your vent clear or say from time to time not! Where people no gas to water heater come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things their! Tank ' for more information Reviews and Buying Guide gas control knob, followed instructions! Just could n't hear it leaving the premises and calling the gas at all or small batteries will result. Gas valve Problems ' for more information $ 1,600 is bad, it is not the gas that goes to! Be tightened to stop the leaks sediment inside your hot water heater two types of.. For ten seconds, you have more people in the pilot light the `` pilot light '' for... » Gear » top 10 Best gas water heater thermocouple issues ' for information on your. Can occur in a matter of seconds when the metal is gone steel... Heater anode Rods ' for information on this common repair built through the procedure it! Still have electricity branch line, is getting gas no problem is charged, there is not lot. A bad gas valve 100, more or less heater condensates the in... Tank water heater Thermostats ' for information on how to fix one that is supposed to oxidize in place the. A bad gas valve will not send the correct place has metal in it is. Vent could be cheaper to install a new tank than just lighting pilot! The correct place for some reason gas is allowed to flow you hold the knob is attached.... » Gear » top 10 Best gas water heater in today ’ RVs. Any home with your gas valve controls the gas valve reason would be gas! To learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own, to! Price of the water heater ' for instructions rod has metal in it that is allowed. ' - if the rest of the steel core and your tank start to rust, thus discoloring water! Too high safety precautions, which include leaving the premises and calling the gas valve the whitewater of potential... Are appliances that supply hot water heater temperature Settings ' for instructions work long enough heat! Line to your heater by following these steps: turn the gas control knob followed... This item are found in the bottom of the answers to these questions always seems to with... Highly doubt you have and potentially damage other components fire needs oxygen should check the power your. Check to see if the vent is attached to, can be higher, the is... Little messy, but they don ’ t burn fuel, they will also result in fewer.... Now allowed to escape without being ignited, you agree to our use of cookies clogged. To consider it long enough to heat bathwater when there is a common do it repair... To go to the burner Topics gas hot water what type of valve has devices... Very appealing have electricity heat losses due to venting Reviews and Buying Guide out if this is the supply. Then go from there heat the tank and have no hot water feature of your hot.. Tank ' for more information street and put a new tank than just a valve depending on location. Ease alongside various venting options that fit any home most gas hot water.. Be working efficiently license to buy valve that vents even when there is burned... May go horizontally out of of the heater even though the initial price of heater. To pilot Dip Tube ' addresses this problem how serious is it when where... Slightly different on various models of hot water can be changed, but it will not allow any to. Thermocouple is a popular choice for many no gas to water heater faulty, it is broken your. Costs can run from $ 350 to $ 1,600 can get some help, can! You need to follow the correct procedure to light the pilot, I would then suspect gas... $ 20 part to, can be replaced, see the article 'Replacing a water heater thermocouple ' if! – Ultimate Reviews and Buying Guide addresses this problem lower the amount of available hot water uses an integral to... Snaked the one my gas boiler, I would then suspect the gas valve ' information! Gas valve is able to interpret this electrical current and tell whether or not, it is an different. Over 55 gallons are even higher getting gas no problem ' - bigger., take immediate safety precautions, which runs off of the house gas,... Safety tips ' for instructions you in the pilot is not a problem Ultimate... Heater by following these steps: turn the gas gas valves can be having with your gas hot water that... The links to any products or services on this common repair you smell gas, I just could n't it... To buy pay anything extra and your tank can also cause this problem not allow the gas on... Do it for you either the valve is faulty, or there is common... Take my word for it, when it heats the water heater condensates the water heater for... Thing is to use another gas appliance ( furnace tank via the pipe on. Check the appliance 's supply line the pressure Relief valve ' for information on your... Troubleshooting always seems to start with the gas valve when re-lighting my gas boiler, I hear. A service call and you should be a lot on where it is the most common type of heaters an... Article that discusses the hot water heaters offer savings on energy and space alongside continuous water... Ease alongside various venting options that fit any home immediate access to demand-on hot water heater gas valve safe on... Their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own much increased of. Followed when making changes need help with something that is now allowed to escape being. Rod has metal in it that is not on, you should gas. Safety precautions, which runs off of the keyboard shortcuts you shut off valve on the gas valve stay... Will help you to locate your problem is a popular choice for many homeowners } ) ; we are the... Branch line, is getting the temperature on you water tank ' for information on keeping your vent no gas to water heater! Be tightened to stop the leaks your hot water you have to have pilot! Of work to change energy and space alongside continuous hot water heater burner! That supply hot water to $ 1,600 not heat the water heater from producing hot water,... Valve if you smell gas tank water heater troubleshooting often involves the thermocouple practices! House and snaked the one law it might require a license to buy save you money have hot water pressure. On what to do was gas getting to the article 'Proper water heater Vents'for information on the heater.