Water heater Probs

[Thaiwoo]

Have this gas fired water heater. Now for the second time this week we had no hot water in the evening and when we checked out the heater it wasn't working and had a red light blinking at the gas valve / controller.

Manual says it can be different things. Usually unplugging it and plugging back in gets it going again.

It's a rented unit and I guess I have to call the gas company to have them look at it. Are there going to be any costs when a rep shows up?

[sargpep]

There should be no charge they will just replace the igniter it will only take them 15 minutes, they do need to be changed every so often.

[LukaszM]

Had the same thing last winter, and as per our rental agreement (Enbridge), they came within a few hours and replaced the ignitor. It was all no-charge. Lets put it this way, if when they call, they don't tell you anything about charges, it's free.

[Dr.Dan]

It's a rented unit and I guess I have to call the gas company to have them look at it. Are there going to be any costs when a rep shows up?
If you rent it; they repair it... at NO cost to you.

[Thaiwoo]

Called the gas company and they said between 10 and 2. Ended up being 3 PM. Oh well, it was the flame detector they had to replace. No cost as mentioned.

Just these days you're never sure about anything anymore when it comes to customer service.

[BillD]

That reminds, me I need to get a new spare for the furnace.

[Mr. Apollo]

There should be no charge they will just replace the igniter it will only take them 15 minutes, they do need to be changed every so often.Really? I had my last water heater for 20 years and never had anything done to it.

[AMD]

Really? I had my last water heater for 20 years and never had anything done to it.

Older natural draft water heaters do not have electronic ignition.

[Glen]

Older natural draft water heaters do not have electronic ignition.

And they didn't rust out as fast as the newer ones.

[Mr. Apollo]

Older natural draft water heaters do not have electronic ignition.So new ones don't have pilot lights? The one I just got to replace the old one has a pilot light.

[Dr.Dan]

Most newer HW tanks don't have a standing pilot light, but an electronic ignition... so that it's not wasting gas keeping the pilot going all the time.

[AMD]

It depends - typically only tanks with an induced draft blower have electronic ignition. They found that having a pilot without an open draft at all times causes problems - mainly corrosion. (they learned the hard way when natural draft furnaces started shipping with dampers)