Having trouble getting your gas wall heater to work? If the pilot light has gone out, the heater won’t turn on. Relighting the pilot light is an easy DIY task that you can tackle in just a few minutes with the right steps.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to safely and successfully relight the pilot on your wall mounted gas heater.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Turn off the gas valve and wait 5 minutes. Remove any cover panels to access the pilot light. Push in and turn the gas control knob to pilot. Repeatedly press the igniter button while holding a lit match or lighter near the pilot.
Once lit, continue holding the gas knob down for 30-60 seconds. Replace any panels and turn the gas valve back on.
Turn Off the Gas Valve
Before attempting to light a pilot light on a wall heater, it is crucial to turn off the gas valve to ensure safety. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Locate the gas shutoff valve
The gas shutoff valve is usually located near the wall heater or in a utility room. It may be a lever or a round valve that needs to be turned. If you are having trouble finding it, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional.
2. Turn the valve clockwise to the off position
Once you have located the gas shutoff valve, turn it clockwise to the off position. This will stop the flow of gas to the wall heater and ensure that there is no risk of a gas leak while you are working on lighting the pilot light.
3. Wait 5 minutes for gas to dissipate
After turning off the gas valve, it is essential to wait for at least 5 minutes for the gas to dissipate before proceeding further. This waiting period allows any residual gas in the system to clear out, reducing the risk of a potentially dangerous buildup of gas when relighting the pilot light.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority when dealing with gas appliances. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any step of the process, it is best to seek professional assistance. Gas-related tasks should only be performed by individuals with the necessary knowledge and experience.
Remove Any Cover Panels
When it comes to lighting a pilot light on a wall heater, the first step is to remove any cover panels that may be blocking access to the pilot assembly. This will allow you to safely and easily access the necessary components. Here are the steps to follow:
Consult your owner’s manual for panel locations
Every wall heater is different, so it’s important to consult your owner’s manual to determine the specific location of the cover panels. The manual will provide detailed instructions on how to locate and remove these panels safely.
If you don’t have the manual on hand, you can often find it online on the manufacturer’s website.
Unscrew or pry off panels to access pilot assembly
Once you’ve located the cover panels, you’ll need to unscrew or pry them off to access the pilot assembly. Use a screwdriver or a pry tool, depending on the type of fasteners used. Be careful not to damage the panels or any surrounding components during this process.
Set panels aside carefully to reinstall later
After removing the cover panels, set them aside in a safe place. It’s important to keep them in good condition so that you can easily reinstall them once you’re done lighting the pilot light. You can use a clean cloth or a designated container to store the panels while you work on the pilot assembly.
Remember, if you’re unsure about any part of the process, it’s always best to consult a professional or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Safety should be your top priority when working with gas-powered appliances.
Find the Pilot Light
When it comes to lighting a pilot light on a wall heater, the first step is to locate the pilot light itself. Look for a small metal tube near the gas burner. This tube is where the pilot light is located. In some cases, the tube may even have the word “pilot” written on the gas valve near it.
It’s important to note that the pilot light should have a small flame when it is lit. This flame is crucial for igniting the main burner of the wall heater. If the flame is not present or is weak, it may indicate a problem with the pilot light that needs to be addressed.
For more detailed instructions on finding the pilot light and lighting it safely, you can visit the Hunker website. They provide step-by-step guidance and helpful tips to ensure that you can light the pilot light without any issues.
Turn Gas Knob to Pilot Setting
When it comes to lighting a pilot light on a wall heater, the first step is to locate the gas knob. This knob is usually located near the pilot assembly, which is the small device responsible for igniting the gas.
It is important to note that the exact location of the knob may vary depending on the make and model of the heater.
Knob is usually near pilot assembly
Once you have located the gas knob, it’s time to prepare it for lighting the pilot light. Start by pushing in and turning the knob counterclockwise to the “pilot” position. This step is crucial as it allows the gas to flow to the pilot assembly, where it can be ignited.
Make sure to press the knob firmly to ensure a proper connection.
Push in and turn knob counterclockwise to ‘pilot’ position
Additionally, you may find that the gas knob has additional settings such as “on” and “off”. These settings control the flow of gas to the main burner of the wall heater. For now, keep the knob in the “pilot” position to focus on lighting the pilot light.
Once the pilot light is successfully lit, you can adjust the knob to the desired setting for heating your space.
Knob may have additional settings like ‘on’ and ‘off’
Remember, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting a pilot light on a wall heater. If you’re unsure about any step of the process, consult the user manual or contact a professional for assistance. Safety should always be the top priority when working with gas appliances.
Ignite the Pilot Flame
When it comes to lighting a pilot light on a wall heater, it’s important to follow the proper steps to ensure safety and success. One of the key steps in this process is to ignite the pilot flame. This can be done by following these guidelines:
Keep gas knob pushed in while igniting pilot
Before attempting to light the pilot flame, it’s essential to make sure the gas knob is pushed in. This is a safety precaution that ensures the gas flow is controlled. By keeping the gas knob pushed in, you can prevent any accidental release of gas while lighting the pilot.
Use a long match or utility lighter to light the pilot tube
Once the gas knob is securely pushed in, you can proceed to light the pilot tube. It is recommended to use a long match or a utility lighter for this task. These tools will allow you to reach the pilot tube safely without risking any burns or injuries.
Gently hold the match or lighter to the pilot tube and wait for the flame to ignite.
Keep holding the knob pushed for 30-60 seconds after lit
After successfully lighting the pilot flame, it is important to continue holding the gas knob pushed in for an additional 30-60 seconds. This is necessary to ensure that the flame remains lit and properly heats up the heater.
Holding the knob pushed in for this extra time allows the thermocouple to heat up and maintain the flame. Once this time has passed, you can release the gas knob and adjust the heater settings as desired.
Remember, if you are unsure about any of the steps or encounter any difficulties while lighting the pilot flame, it’s always best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional assistance. Safety should always be the top priority when dealing with gas appliances.
Turn Gas Back On and Replace Panels
After successfully igniting the pilot light on your wall heater, the next step is to turn the gas back on and replace any panels that were removed earlier. This is an important step to ensure the safe and proper functioning of your heater.
Turn gas valve counterclockwise back to ‘on’ position
Locate the gas valve on your wall heater. It is usually located near the bottom of the unit. Turn the valve counterclockwise to the ‘on’ position. This will allow gas to flow to the burner and ignite the flame.
Double check pilot light is still ignited
Before replacing any panels, it is crucial to double check that the pilot light is still ignited. Take a moment to visually inspect the flame. It should be a steady blue flame with a small yellow tip. If the flame is not lit or if it is flickering, you may need to relight the pilot light following the previous steps.
Replace any panels removed earlier
If you had to remove any panels to access the pilot light, now is the time to put them back in place. Make sure that each panel is securely fastened to the wall heater. This will help to protect the internal components and ensure proper ventilation.
Heater should now function normally
With the gas turned back on and all panels replaced, your wall heater should now be ready to use. Adjust the thermostat to your desired temperature and enjoy the warmth and comfort it provides.
Remember, if you encounter any difficulties or if the pilot light continues to go out, it is always best to consult a professional technician. They have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and fix any issues with your wall heater.
Conclusion
Relighting the pilot light on your gas wall heater is a quick and easy repair you can do yourself in just a few minutes. With the proper safety precautions like turning off the gas and waiting for dissipation, the whole process is safe and straightforward.
Just locate the pilot assembly, turn the gas knob to pilot setting, ignite the flame, wait 30-60 seconds, then turn the gas back on. If you have any trouble getting your pilot relit, don’t hesitate to call in a professional for assistance.
With these helpful steps, your wall heater’s pilot will be up and running again in no time.
