CHANGING
A THERMOCOUPLE-
Very simply put, a thermocouple gets hot, and produces heat-generated
electricity. Without this small charge of current, a solenoid valve
closes, via a spring device, and shuts off the gas supply. When
you can't light the pilot, the problem often is a faulty thermocouple,
although it can be a faulty solenoid. Since thermocouples are inexpensive
and easy to change, try this repair first. If it doesn't work, suspect
the solenoid, which probably will have to be professionally changed.
Thermocouples
often are found in the Plumbing Departments of home center stores,
or they may be stocked near the water heater display. Most times
they are prepackaged and labeled, and sometimes the manufacturer
furnishes installation instructions. If not, here are the replacement
basics:
1)
Turn off the gas supply at the gas shutoff valve. The valve turns
so the handle is at right angles to the pipe, if it is an "in
line" valve, which most are.
2) Let the heater cool.
3) Open the panel to the gas burner where the thermocouple is located.
4) With a wrench, carefully unscrew the copper lead and the connection
nut on the gas line.
5) Inside the panel opening, unscrew the bracket nut that holds
the thermocouple tube in position next to the pilot light tube.
This usually is a "collar" type fitting.
6) Insert the new thermocouple into the hole in the bracket, steel
tube in an up position and the copper lead in a down position.
7) Under the bracket, screw the bracket nut over the tube. Then
push the connection nut to the threaded connection where the copper
lead connects to the gas line. You may have to flex the tubing slightly.
8) Now screw the copper lead to the connection with the gas line
under the thermostat control. All nuts should be tight. But do not
overtighten them.
9) Test the new part by lighting the pilot. Press down on the reset
button after you turn on the gas supply.
SAVE
ENERGY THREE WAYS
You may be able to lower the cost of operating a gas water heater
(by saving fuel) with the products and techniques here.
Heater
Jackets-
Manufacturers claim a fuel savings when the water heater has been
encased in a blanket of insulation as shown directly below. These
insulation "jackets" are especially made to ft a hot water
heater and are secured with special ties.
Pipe
Insulation-
By wrapping hot water pipes with pipe insulation made for this purpose,
you can keep hot water hot longer, and, therefore, save fuel. A
big advantage is that hot water will flow at the faucet faster--so
there also is some savings on water. There are several "styles"
of pipe insulation available.
Lower
Thermostats-
As discussed elsewhere in this Guide, keep the water thermostat
at 110 to 140 degrees. If you run out of hot water often, the problem
isn't temperature but the small capacity of the heater. You may
want to replace it with a larger model.
