Having hot water available whenever you need it is something most homeowners take for granted. But when your water heater stops working properly, you quickly realize how much you depend on it. If the pilot light on your Bradford White water heater has gone out, you may find yourself with no hot water until you can get it relit.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Relighting the pilot light on a Bradford White water heater involves locating the pilot assembly, turning the gas control knob to pilot, depressing the red reset button, and holding a flame to the pilot hood until the thermocouple heats up and the pilot stays lit when released.
Make sure the gas supply is on and bleed all air from the lines first.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the steps for relighting the pilot on a Bradford White water heater so you can get your hot water flowing again.
Locating the Pilot Assembly
When troubleshooting your Bradford White water heater pilot light, the first step is to locate the pilot assembly. This is where the flame is ignited to heat the water in the tank. There are two common locations where you can find the pilot assembly:
Inside the Burner Compartment
In some models of Bradford White water heaters, the pilot assembly can be found inside the burner compartment. To access it, you will need to remove the outer cover of the water heater. Once the cover is removed, you will see the burner compartment, which houses the pilot assembly along with the gas burner.
Pro tip: Before opening the burner compartment, make sure to turn off the gas supply to the water heater to ensure safety.
At the Base of the Water Heater
In other models, the pilot assembly is located at the base of the water heater. You will need to look for a small access panel or door near the bottom of the unit. Open the panel to reveal the pilot assembly.
Did you know? The pilot assembly consists of a small gas burner, a pilot tube, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple is responsible for sensing the presence of the pilot flame and keeping the gas valve open to maintain a steady supply of gas.
Once you have located the pilot assembly, you can proceed with troubleshooting any issues with the pilot light. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when working with gas appliances.
If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with performing any repairs, it’s always best to contact a professional plumber or Bradford White technician for assistance.
Turning Gas Control Knob to Pilot
Identifying the Gas Control Valve
Before troubleshooting your Bradford White water heater pilot light, it’s important to know how to locate the gas control valve. The gas control valve is typically located on the front of the water heater near the bottom. It is a round knob with different settings such as ON, OFF, and PILOT.
You may need to remove a small cover or panel to access the gas control valve.
Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble finding the gas control valve, consult the owner’s manual for your specific Bradford White water heater model. The manual should have detailed instructions and diagrams to help you locate the gas control valve.
Switching from ON to PILOT
Once you have located the gas control valve, follow these steps to switch it from ON to PILOT:
- Turn the gas control knob to the OFF position and wait for at least 5 minutes to allow any gas to dissipate.
- After waiting, turn the gas control knob to the PILOT position. You may need to press and hold a separate button or lever while doing this.
- While holding the gas control knob in the PILOT position, use a long match or lighter to ignite the pilot light. Hold the flame near the pilot burner and wait until the pilot light ignites.
- Once the pilot light is lit, continue to hold the gas control knob in the PILOT position for about 30 seconds to a minute to allow the thermocouple to heat up.
- After the thermocouple is heated, release the gas control knob. The pilot light should stay lit. If it goes out, repeat the process.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about any of these steps or if you’re experiencing persistent issues with your Bradford White water heater pilot light, it’s always best to consult a professional plumber or contact Bradford White’s customer support for further assistance.
They have the expertise and knowledge to help you troubleshoot and resolve any issues you may be facing.
Depressing the Red Reset Button
One of the most common troubleshooting steps for a Bradford White water heater is depressing the red reset button. This button is located on the front of the water heater and is designed to reset the system if it has been tripped.
If your pilot light goes out or if you are experiencing other issues with your water heater, pressing this button might solve the problem.
How to Reset the Water Heater
To reset your Bradford White water heater, follow these simple steps:
- Locate the red reset button on the front of the water heater.
- Press and hold the button for about 3 seconds.
- Release the button and wait for the water heater to reset.
- If the pilot light re-ignites and the water heater starts working properly, you have successfully reset the system.
It is important to note that if the reset button keeps tripping, there may be an underlying issue with your water heater that needs to be addressed. In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional plumber or the Bradford White customer service for further assistance.
When to Reset the Water Heater
There are a few instances where resetting the water heater by depressing the red reset button might be necessary:
- If the pilot light goes out and needs to be relit.
- If the water heater is not producing hot water.
- If the water temperature is not reaching the desired level.
Resetting the water heater is a simple troubleshooting step that can often resolve minor issues. However, if the problem persists after resetting, it is recommended to seek professional help to avoid further damage or potential hazards.
For more detailed instructions on how to reset your specific model of Bradford White water heater, refer to the owner’s manual or visit the official Bradford White website.
Holding a Flame to the Pilot Hood
When troubleshooting your Bradford White water heater pilot light, one of the first things you can try is holding a flame to the pilot hood. This method can help reignite the pilot light if it has gone out. Here are a couple of ways you can do this:
Using a Lighter or Long Match
One option is to use a lighter or a long match to manually relight the pilot light. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions before attempting this method. Here’s how you can do it:
- Turn the gas control knob to the “off” position and wait for at least five minutes to allow any residual gas to dissipate.
- Locate the pilot hood, which is a small metal tube near the bottom of the water heater.
- Hold the flame of the lighter or long match near the pilot hood while simultaneously pressing and holding the gas control knob in the “pilot” position.
- Once the pilot light ignites, continue to hold the gas control knob in the “pilot” position for about 30 seconds to allow the thermocouple to heat up.
- Release the gas control knob and check if the pilot light stays lit. If it does, you can proceed to turn the gas control knob to the desired temperature setting.
Waiting for the Thermocouple to Heat Up
The thermocouple is a safety device that detects whether the pilot light is lit. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple will automatically shut off the gas supply to prevent a potential gas leak.
Sometimes, the thermocouple may need some time to heat up before it can properly detect the pilot light. Here’s what you can do:
- Turn the gas control knob to the “off” position and wait for at least five minutes.
- Turn the gas control knob to the “pilot” position and hold it in that position.
- While holding the gas control knob, use a flame (from a lighter or long match) to heat up the thermocouple directly for about 30 seconds.
- After heating up the thermocouple, release the gas control knob and try relighting the pilot light.
- If the pilot light stays lit, you can proceed to turn the gas control knob to the desired temperature setting. If not, you may need to further troubleshoot or seek professional assistance.
Remember, if you’re unsure about troubleshooting your Bradford White water heater pilot light or if you’re unable to relight it, it’s always best to consult a qualified professional or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Troubleshooting Issues
Gas Supply Shutoff Valve Closed
If you find that your Bradford White water heater pilot light is not igniting, one possible issue could be that the gas supply shutoff valve is closed. This valve is typically located near the water heater and controls the flow of gas to the pilot light.
If the valve is closed, no gas will be able to reach the pilot light, preventing it from igniting. To fix this issue, simply check the valve and ensure that it is fully open. If you are unsure of the location of the valve or how to open it, consult the manufacturer’s manual or contact a professional plumber for assistance.
Did you know? According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, heating water accounts for approximately 18% of a home’s total energy usage. Ensuring that your water heater is functioning properly can help to reduce energy waste and lower your utility bills.
Air in the Gas Line
Air in the gas line can also cause issues with the pilot light ignition. When there is air in the line, it can disrupt the flow of gas to the pilot light, preventing it from lighting up. To resolve this issue, you will need to bleed the air out of the gas line.
Start by turning off the gas supply to the water heater. Then, locate the gas line leading to the pilot light and carefully loosen the connection. Allow any trapped air to escape from the line by turning on the gas supply for a few seconds.
Finally, tighten the connection and attempt to relight the pilot light.
Pro tip: Always exercise caution when working with gas lines. If you are unsure about how to safely bleed the air from your gas line, it is best to seek the help of a qualified professional.
Weak Thermocouple
A weak thermocouple is another common issue that can prevent the pilot light from staying lit. The thermocouple is a safety device that detects whether the pilot light is lit and allows the flow of gas to the burner.
If the thermocouple is faulty or worn out, it may not generate enough voltage to keep the gas valve open, causing the pilot light to go out. In such cases, replacing the thermocouple is usually the best solution.
Consult the manufacturer’s manual or contact a professional plumber for guidance on how to safely replace the thermocouple.
Interesting fact: The average lifespan of a thermocouple is typically around 10 years. Regular maintenance and inspection of your water heater can help identify any issues with the thermocouple before it becomes a major problem.
Conclusion
Having to repeatedly relight the pilot on your Bradford White water heater can be a nuisance, but following the proper steps will have you back in hot water quickly. Locating the pilot assembly, turning the gas valve to pilot, depressing the red reset button, and holding a flame to the thermocouple hood are the key actions you’ll need to remember.
If the pilot won’t stay lit, there may be other issues like lack of gas flow or a faulty thermocouple that require servicing. But in most cases, a few simple troubleshooting steps will get your hot water flowing again.
