Electric and gas water heaters can be turned on without the need to call a professional to help you. For an electric water heater, you have to find a circuit breaker and turn it on. As for gas water heaters, the pilot fire must be lit. One of the most important steps is to make sure the heater is completely filled with water before turning it on.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Making Sure The Water Tank Is Full
Step 1. Stop the water supply and gas valve (on gas fired heaters) or circuit breaker (on electric water heaters)
Turn the gas valve to "Off" or make sure the circuit breaker for the water heater is off. To stop the water supply, turn the valve for the cold water supply line entering the tank (usually from above).
The circuit breaker for water heaters usually has a description label, but if it's not there, just turn off the mains power
Step 2. Drain and rinse the tank to clean it
To drain the water tank, attach the hose to the bottom of the tank where the faucet is. Choose a hose that is long enough to be pulled up to the nearest drain on the floor, to the sink, or directly to the outside yard. After that, open the drain valve on the water tank to start the draining process. By opening the hot water faucet near the tank, you can drain it faster and monitor its progress. Open the cold water supply valve again to rinse any remaining residue or minerals from the tank.
- Let the cold water run through the drain valve for 5-10 minutes.
- You can skip this rinsing step if the tank is new. Don't plug in the hose or open the drain valve, and use the nearest hot water faucet to tell when the tank is full-a steady flow of water with no gushing sound is a sign.
Step 3. Close the drain valve while keeping the water supply flowing
After the tank is rinsed and clean water flows from the hose, close the drain valve and remove the hose. The water tank will now be filled again. Keep the nearest faucet open to allow air to escape when the tank is filled with water.
Step 4. Keep an eye on the nearest hot water faucet
Turning on the hot water faucet is a way to tell when the tank is full. Once you see and hear a steady flow of water from the faucet, the water heater is ready. If you still hear a stuttering sound, that means air is still being forced out of the tank. The faucet can be closed after the water flow is stable.
Step 5. Turn on the gas supply or circuit breaker
Once the tank is full, the water heater is ready to be turned on. If your type is a gas water heater, slide the gas valve to the “On” position to start the pilot fire. For electric water heaters, turn the circuit breaker back on.
Method 2 of 4: Starting a Modern Gas-fired Water Heater
Step 1. Set the temperature and “On/Off” controller to the correct settings
Before turning on the water heater, set the temperature controller to the lowest setting. The On/Off controller must be set to the "Pilot" setting.
If you smell gas or the smell of rotten eggs, don't continue until you've made sure it's absolutely safe because there could be a gas leak
Step 2. Press the pilot ignition button while starting the fire
While holding down the pilot ignition button, press the fire generator. This step will ignite the fire. You can see it through the small glass window indicating that the pilot's fire is on.
Step 3. Press and hold the pilot ignition button for 20-30 seconds
Once you see a fire burning, don't let go of the pilot ignition button yet. Press and hold for 20-30 seconds until it is hot enough before releasing the button.
You may have to press the fire generator every 10 seconds until the flame stabilizes if the fire has not started after 30 seconds
Step 4. Turn the controller on to “On” and set the temperature to your desired setting
Set controller “On/Off” to “On.” After that, set the temperature setting to the number you want. Most set it to 50 °C. At this point, you should see a fire burning from behind a small glass window.
Method 3 of 4: Turning on the Old Type Water Heater
Step 1. Turn on temperature setting and controller “On/Off” to “Pilot” setting
Before turning on the gas, turn the temperature on to the lowest setting. Turn the regulator valve to “Off” and wait 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have elapsed, you can slide the valve to “Pilot.”
Call a professional technician if you smell rotten eggs. This could be a sign of a gas leak
Step 2. Open the access panel, if necessary
The water heater may have internal and external access panels that must be opened. In this case, open the access panel to reach the pilot fire. The access panel usually just slides until it comes off.
Step 3. Press and hold the pilot button on the water heater
Press and hold the button so you can turn on the water heater. If your type of water heater does not have a dedicated pilot button, press and hold the “On/Off” controller.
Step 4. Turn on the pilot using the long-handled lighter
Look for the little silver tube connected to the gas control valve-this is the pilot supply tube. Run the silver tube to its end and use the long-handled lighter to fire the pilot.
Step 5. Hold down the pilot button for 20-30 seconds before releasing
Once the pilot is on, press and hold the button for 20-30 seconds. After that period of time has elapsed, you can slowly release it and the pilot will continue to fire.
If the pilot fire goes out, turn it on again and press the button longer than the previous time
Step 6. Replace the access panel, if necessary
If the water heater has an access panel, now is the time to reinstall it. A forgotten access panel can result in serious injury if a fire suddenly escapes from the vent due to gas buildup.
Step 7. Turn on the “On/Off” controller and the temperature to the correct setting
Set the “On/Off” controller to the “On” position and set the temperature controller to your desired setting -50 °C is the recommended number. Once the controller is set, you will hear the water heater start to warm up.
Method 4 of 4: Turning on the Electric Water Heater or Tankless Heater
Step 1. Turn on the circuit breaker once the hot water tank is full
With an electric water heater, you'll need to find the circuit breaker that controls the heater, and then turn it on. If the circuit breaker is not labeled, look for a double pole breaker that has the same amperage rating as the heater. Just turn on the circuit breaker to turn on the electric water heater.
The amperage value is usually listed on the label on the water tank
Step 2. Wait a few hours for the water tank to heat up
The water heater takes several hours to get really hot. So, check periodically by turning on the faucet to make sure the water is getting warmer. The recommended temperature is 50 °C.
Step 3. Turn off the gas before turning on the tankless water heater
This step is important to make sure the gas is off before you turn on the water heater. Tankless heaters must be switched on by reversing the connected circuit breaker, or by turning on a switch.
Step 4. Check the temperature and turn on the gas on the tankless water heater
Once the power is turned on, you can adjust the temperature with a controller which is usually digital. Turn on the gas supply and you're good to go!
- Tankless water heaters operate as needed. So, the water will only be heated when you want to use it.
- Since this heater is not tanked, you do not need to fill it with water.
Warning
- If there is water dripping from the drain pipe, the pressure may be too high. Lower it to a number below 80 psi.
- For gas-fired water heaters, always check to make sure you don't smell gas leaks-or rotten eggs-before starting the pilot fire.
