I'm a bit confused about my water heater. I noticed that the lights on the gas control valve are blinking, but I can't see the pilot light. I heard a little fwoom sound when I pressed the igniter, but then it went quiet. After holding the pilot button, the lights started blinking. I've also tried jumping the board and heard the jets firing, but still no visible flame. Is there a chance that the pilot light is lit even if I can't see it?
3 Answers
The blinking lights you see indicate that the pilot light is indeed lit. They’re activated by a bimetal sensor which relies on the flame to work properly.
Also, keep in mind that newer water heaters might not have a standing pilot light at all since they use electronic ignition. It might be worth checking out if yours is one of those!
I totally get that it can be nerve-wracking, especially since last time you might have seen some flames. Just remember, if the jets are firing but you don’t see a flame, you’re likely fine. Water heaters have safety features that prevent gas from flowing if there’s no flame. Do you have hot water? If so, everything is probably okay! If you’re still worried, maybe remove that little metal cover and check.