Starting Your Bradford White Water Heater

To turn on a Bradford White water heater, you need to move the gas control valve from the OFF position to PILOT, light the pilot flame with a match or lighter, then switch the valve to ON once the pilot stays lit. The whole process takes about five minutes. If the pilot won't light or won't stay lit, the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may need cleaning or replacement—a job most homeowners can do themselves.

Bradford White water heaters use a standing pilot system on most models, meaning a small flame burns continuously to ignite the main burner when hot water is needed. This design is reliable and doesn't require electricity to start, which is why it's still common in many homes.

Key Takeaways

  • The gas control valve has three positions—OFF, PILOT, and ON—and you move it by hand in sequence to start the heater.
  • You light the pilot by holding down the valve button while explore a flame to the pilot burner opening, then release the button once the flame catches.
  • The pilot should stay lit on its own within 30 seconds; if it goes out when you release the button, the thermocouple may be dirty or faulty.
  • A dirty thermocouple can be cleaned with fine sandpaper or steel wool, but if cleaning doesn't work, replacement costs between $15 and $50 for the part.

Locating the Gas Control Valve and Pilot Assembly

Open the access panel at the bottom front of your water heater. On Bradford White units, you'll see a metal box with a dial or lever labeled OFF, PILOT, and ON. This is the gas control valve. Just below or beside it, you'll see a small metal tube running to a tiny burner opening—that's the pilot burner.

The valve itself has a red button you'll press and hold while lighting. Some Bradford White models have a dial you turn; others have a lever you push. Check your model's label or manual to confirm which type you have, but the sequence is the same either way.

The Step-by-Step Lighting Process

First, make sure the valve is set to OFF. Wait five minutes for any gas in the chamber to clear. This is a safety step that prevents a buildup of unburned gas, which could ignite suddenly when you light the pilot.

Turn the valve to PILOT. Press and hold the red button on the valve—you'll feel it click inward. While holding the button down, bring a lit match or lighter to the pilot burner opening. The flame should catch within a few seconds. Keep the button pressed for another 30 seconds after the pilot lights; this allows the thermocouple to heat up and signal the valve that it's safe to stay open.

Release the button. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it does, turn the valve to ON. The main burner should ignite within a few seconds, and you'll hear a soft whoosh as the larger flame starts. If the pilot goes out when you release the button, move the valve back to OFF and wait five minutes before trying again.

Why the Pilot Won't Stay Lit

The most common reason a pilot won't hold is a dirty thermocouple. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal when heated. If it's covered in soot or corrosion, it can't send that signal, and the valve closes automatically as a safety measure.

To clean it, turn the valve to OFF and wait for the pilot assembly to cool. The thermocouple is usually held in place by a single nut at the valve end. Use a wrench to loosen it—typically a 7/16-inch wrench fits—and pull the rod out gently. Wipe the tip with fine sandpaper or 0000 steel wool until it's shiny, then reinsert it and tighten the nut. Try lighting the pilot again.

If cleaning doesn't work, the thermocouple has likely failed and needs replacement. Bradford White thermocouples are inexpensive (usually $15 to $50) and available from plumbing supply stores or online. Installation is the reverse of removal: loosen the nut, pull out the old one, insert the new one, and tighten.

When to Call a Professional

If the pilot lights and stays lit but the main burner won't ignite when you turn the valve to ON, the problem is likely in the gas line or the main burner itself, and you should call a plumber or HVAC technician. Similarly, if you smell gas at any point—a rotten-egg or sulfur smell—turn the valve to OFF when ready, leave the area, and call your gas company's emergency line from outside the house.

If you've cleaned the thermocouple and replaced it and the pilot still won't stay lit, the gas control valve itself may be faulty. This is a $200 to $400 repair that requires a professional, because the valve is sealed and not user-serviceable.

Checking That Your Water Heater Is Running Properly

Once the main burner is on, you should see a steady blue flame through the viewing window (if your model has one). The flame should be quiet and stable. A yellow or orange flame, or one that flickers wildly, suggests incomplete combustion and means you should turn the heater off and have it inspected.

Set your desired water temperature using the thermostat dial, usually located on the front of the tank. Bradford White models typically have a dial marked in degrees Fahrenheit, often ranging from 90°F to 140°F. Most households use 120°F for safety and energy savings. Wait 30 to 60 minutes for the tank to heat, then test the hot water at a sink faucet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for hot water to come out after I turn on the heater?

The first time you start the heater, it can take 30 minutes to an hour for the tank to heat up, depending on the tank size and how cold the water was to begin with. After that, the heater maintains temperature, so you'll have hot water available whenever you turn on a faucet.

What if I can't get the pilot to light at all?

Check that gas is flowing to the heater by listening for a hiss when you turn the valve to PILOT. If you hear nothing, the gas supply may be shut off at the meter or at a valve upstream. Also make sure your match or lighter is producing a steady flame—windy conditions or a weak lighter can make lighting difficult. If gas is flowing but the pilot still won't light, the pilot burner opening may be clogged with debris.

Is it normal for the pilot to go out sometimes?

A pilot that goes out occasionally, especially after high winds or if your home sits at high altitude, may have a weak thermocouple or a draft problem. A pilot that goes out every time you release the button is almost always a dirty or failed thermocouple. A pilot that stays lit for weeks without issue is working normally.

Can I turn off the pilot to save energy?

No. The pilot must stay lit for the heater to work. If you want to save energy, lower the thermostat dial to 120°F or turn the valve to OFF if you won't need hot water for an extended period (like during a vacation). Turning the valve to OFF stops both the pilot and the main burner.

Do I need to relight the pilot after a power outage?

Bradford White gas water heaters don't require electricity to operate, so a power outage won't affect them. If the pilot went out for another reason (a draft, a failed thermocouple), you'll need to relight it, but the outage itself isn't the cause.