Anybody who owns a gas-powered water heater in Chesapeake, VA, needs to pay attention to the health of their system’s thermocouple. As one of the most integral components of your gas-powered water heating system, the thermocouple works in concert with your pilot flame to make sure that your system has a constant source of heat. The guide below gives you the three easiest ways to tell if your thermocouple is having problems.
1. The Pilot Flame Keeps Turning Off
One of the thermocouple’s main functions is to keep the pilot light burning after you light it. As long as you can turn the pilot flame on, then your gas line is working fine. If the pilot flame keeps flickering off, however, then you might have a bad thermocouple.
2. Your Thermocouple Fails Basic Electrical Tests
A functioning thermocouple should be able to register a voltage of at Fthleast 25 mV at its connection point when your pilot is burning. When you call in a professional to check its connection strength, the first thing they will usually do is pull out a multimeter to take a few measurements. If your it generates readings below 25 mV, then you may have to purchase a new one.
3. Too Much Distance Between the Pilot Flame and the Thermocouple
A pilot light that’s too far away from the thermocouple won’t be able to generate enough heat for it to function properly. Even if the pilot light is close to it, there will still be a problem if any obstructions stand between them. Usually, the easiest way to clear out obstructions is to blow compressed air through the pilot tube.
If you are having issues with your thermocouple in the Chesapeake area, then we’d be happy to help you figure out what the problem is. For more information on all the water heating and HVAC heating repair services we offer here at Climatemakers, contact us today.