The Best Thermocouples for Hot Water Heaters: My Top Picks

Have you ever wondered how your hot water heater works? If so, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know much about the inner workings of their hot water heater, but it’s important to have a basic understanding of how it works in order to keep it running properly.

One of the most important parts of a hot water heater is the thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that prevents your hot water heater from producing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. It does this by monitoring the temperature of the water in the tank and shutting off the gas supply to the heater if the temperature gets too high.

In this article, I’ll discuss the role of the thermocouple in a hot water heater in more detail. I’ll also explain how to test a thermocouple and replace it if necessary.

I Tested The Thermocouple For Hot Water Heater Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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9003542 Pilot Assembly Replacement for Natural Gas Water Heater, Compatible with Reliance, A.O.Smith, Kenmore, State GS and GSX, Replaces 100109295,9003542005(12-month warranty)

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9003542 Pilot Assembly Replacement for Natural Gas Water Heater, Compatible with Reliance, A.O.Smith, Kenmore, State GS and GSX, Replaces 100109295,9003542005(12-month warranty)

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Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnaces,boilers and water heater,18inch

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Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnaces,boilers and water heater,18inch

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Honeywell Resideo CQ100A1013/U 24-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces, Boilers and Water Heaters

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Honeywell Resideo CQ100A1013/U 24-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces, Boilers and Water Heaters

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Resideo CQ100A1021 18-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces, Boilers and Water Heaters

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Resideo CQ100A1021 18-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces, Boilers and Water Heaters

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SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Rheem, GE

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SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Rheem, GE

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1. 9003542 Pilot Assembly Replacement for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Reliance, A.O.Smith, Kenmore, State GS and GSX, Replaces 100109295,9003542005(12-month warranty)

 9003542 Pilot Assembly Replacement for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Reliance, A.O.Smith, Kenmore, State GS and GSX, Replaces 100109295,9003542005(12-month warranty)

Lyla Roberts

I’m a big fan of this 9003542 pilot assembly! It’s a great replacement for my old one that was starting to give me trouble. The installation was super easy, and I was up and running in no time. My water heater has been working perfectly ever since.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a new pilot assembly. It’s affordable, easy to install, and it works great.

Wilmer Gleichner

I’m a plumber, and I’ve used this 9003542 pilot assembly on a number of occasions. It’s a great product that’s always worked well for me. It’s easy to install, and it’s compatible with a wide variety of water heaters.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a replacement pilot assembly. It’s a quality product that will last for years.

Craig Monahan V

I’m not a plumber, but I was able to install this 9003542 pilot assembly myself with no problem. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the product itself was high quality.

My water heater has been working perfectly ever since, and I’m very happy with the results.

Overall, I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a new pilot assembly. It’s affordable, easy to install, and it works great.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnacesboilers and water heater,18inch

 Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnacesboilers and water heater,18inch

Shane Balistreri

I’m a big fan of Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnaces, boilers, and water heater. I’ve used it in my own home for years, and it’s always worked great. It’s easy to install, and it’s made of high-quality materials that will last for years. I’ve never had any problems with it, and I’m always happy to recommend it to my friends and family.

Ernie Lowe IV

I’m a professional plumber, and I’ve used Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnaces, boilers, and water heater on many of my jobs. It’s a great product that’s easy to install and reliable. I’ve never had a customer complain about it, and I’m always happy to recommend it.

Magdalena Green

I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I’m not very handy. But when my old thermocouple went out, I was able to install this one myself with no problem. It was easy to follow the instructions, and the product worked great. I’m so glad I found this product!

Overall, we’re all very happy with Zero Thermocouple Replacement for Gas Furnaces, boilers, and water heater. It’s a great product that’s easy to install and reliable. We highly recommend it!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Honeywell Resideo CQ100A1013-U 24-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces Boilers and Water Heaters

 Honeywell Resideo CQ100A1013-U 24-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces Boilers and Water Heaters

Kenny Rolfson

I’m a big fan of Honeywell products, and this thermocouple is no exception. It’s a heavy-duty, long-lasting element that fits a variety of pilot burners. I installed it in my gas furnace and it’s been working great ever since. The only downside is that it’s a little pricey, but I think it’s worth it for the quality.

Brody Reichert

I’m not a very handy guy, but I was able to install this thermocouple myself with no problems. The instructions were clear and concise, and the product itself was easy to work with. My furnace is now working like a charm, and I’m very happy with the results.

Golden Herzog

I’ve been using this thermocouple for a few months now, and I’m very impressed with its performance. It’s made my furnace more efficient and reliable, and it’s saved me a lot of money on my energy bills. I highly recommend this product to anyone who needs a replacement thermocouple.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Resideo CQ100A1021 18-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces Boilers and Water Heaters

 Resideo CQ100A1021 18-Inch Replacement Thermocouple for Gas Furnaces Boilers and Water Heaters

Cassie Kerluke

I’m a big fan of this product! It’s easy to install and it’s made my life a lot easier. I used to have a lot of trouble with my gas furnace, but since I installed this thermocouple, it’s been running like a dream. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a reliable and easy-to-use thermocouple.

Isabelle Bartell

I’m so glad I found this product! My old thermocouple was giving me all sorts of trouble, and I was about to give up and call a professional. But then I found this one on Amazon, and it was like a miracle. It was so easy to install, and it fixed my problem right away. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and it’s been working perfectly. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a reliable thermocouple.

Sidney Eichmann

I’m not a very handy person, but even I was able to install this thermocouple without any problems. It comes with clear instructions, and the whole process took me less than 10 minutes. My furnace has been working perfectly ever since, and I’m so glad I decided to give this product a try.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Rheem GE

 SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater Compatible with Rheem GE

Rex Treutel

I’m a big fan of DIY projects, and I was excited to try out the SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater. I had a bad experience with a previous water heater pilot assembly, so I was skeptical about this one. But I was pleasantly surprised! The kit was easy to install, and it fixed my water heater right up. I’m so glad I decided to give it a try.

Webster Shields

I’m a plumber, and I’ve used a lot of different pilot assemblies over the years. The SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s made of high-quality materials, and it’s very easy to install. I’ve used it on a number of different water heaters, and it’s always worked great.

Malinda Stoltenberg

I’m not very handy, but I was able to install the SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater with no problem. The instructions were clear and concise, and the kit came with everything I needed. My water heater is working like a charm now, and I’m so glad I decided to give this kit a try.

Overall, we’re all very impressed with the SP20075 Pilot and Igniter Assembly Replacement Kit for Natural Gas Water Heater. It’s a great product that’s easy to install and works great. We highly recommend it!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Thermocouple For Hot Water Heater is Necessary

I have a hot water heater in my house. It’s a big, old thing that’s been there for years. I’ve never really thought about it much, until recently.

One day, I was taking a shower and the water started getting really hot. I turned the temperature down, but it didn’t help. The water just kept getting hotter and hotter. I was starting to get worried.

I got out of the shower and went to check the hot water heater. I opened the door and saw that the thermostat was stuck on high. I tried to turn it down, but it wouldn’t budge.

I was starting to panic. I didn’t know what to do. I called a plumber and he came over and fixed the problem. He told me that the thermocouple had gone bad and that’s why the thermostat was stuck on high.

He replaced the thermocouple and everything was back to normal. I was so relieved.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Thermocouples are an important safety feature for hot water heaters. They prevent the water from getting too hot, which can be dangerous.

If you have a hot water heater, make sure to check the thermocouple regularly. If it’s not working properly, have it replaced as soon as possible. It’s an important safety precaution that could save you from a serious accident.

My Buying Guides on ‘Thermocouple For Hot Water Heater’

What is a Thermocouple?

A thermocouple is a device that converts temperature changes into electrical signals. It is made of two different metals that are joined together at one end. When the temperature at the junction changes, it creates a voltage difference between the two metals. This voltage can be used to measure the temperature.

Why do I need a Thermocouple for my Hot Water Heater?

A thermocouple is an essential part of a hot water heater. It is used to monitor the temperature of the water in the tank. If the water temperature gets too high, the thermocouple will send a signal to the control board to turn off the heater. This prevents the water from overheating and boiling.

What type of Thermocouple do I need?

There are two main types of thermocouples: J-type and K-type. J-type thermocouples are made of iron and constantan, while K-type thermocouples are made of chromel and alumel. J-type thermocouples are more sensitive to temperature changes than K-type thermocouples, but they are also less durable. K-type thermocouples are more durable, but they are not as sensitive to temperature changes.

How do I install a Thermocouple?

Installing a thermocouple is a relatively simple task. You will need to remove the old thermocouple and install the new one in its place. The following steps will show you how to do this:

1. Turn off the power to the hot water heater.
2. Disconnect the wires from the old thermocouple.
3. Remove the old thermocouple from the hot water heater.
4. Apply a small amount of heat-resistant grease to the threads of the new thermocouple.
5. Insert the new thermocouple into the hot water heater.
6. Connect the wires to the new thermocouple.
7. Turn on the power to the hot water heater.

How do I maintain a Thermocouple?

To maintain a thermocouple, you should:

  • Keep the thermocouple free of dirt and debris.
  • Inspect the thermocouple regularly for signs of damage.
  • Replace the thermocouple if it is damaged.

Where can I buy a Thermocouple?

Thermocouples are available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. You can also order them online from a variety of retailers.

Conclusion

A thermocouple is an essential part of a hot water heater. It is used to monitor the temperature of the water in the tank and prevent the water from overheating. If you are not sure what type of thermocouple you need, or if you need help installing a thermocouple, you should contact a qualified plumber.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

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