Gas geyser ignition devices explained: piezo, pulse and automatic
A gas geyser can be lit four ways: by hand with a match or lighter, with a piezo push-button igniter, with a battery pulse igniter (common in instant geysers), or with an automatic ignition system that lights it without anyone pressing anything. Only the last one restarts a storage geyser after load shedding.
The four methods compared
| Method | How it works | Who presses it | After load shedding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match or lighter | Flame held to the pilot while the knob is held down | You | Someone must relight it |
| Piezo igniter | Pressing the button snaps a crystal and makes a spark at the pilot | You | Someone must relight it |
| Battery pulse igniter | Batteries drive repeated sparks when water flows (instant geysers) | Automatic when a tap opens | Lights itself when gas is back |
| Automatic ignition kit | Electronic unit sparks and lights the burner of a storage geyser | Automatic | Relights when gas is back |
Piezo igniters
Most storage geysers in Pakistan come with a piezo button. It is simple and needs no power, but you still have to hold the gas knob down and press it, standing at the geyser. Piezo igniters also fail: the crystal wears out, the wire cracks, or the electrode moves away from the pilot. See our guide to an igniter that is not sparking.
Pulse ignition in instant geysers
Instant (tankless) gas geysers usually light only when hot water flows, using batteries to spark the burner. They do not keep a standing pilot, so load shedding simply means no hot water until gas returns, after which they work again. Weak batteries are the most common reason they fail to light.
Automatic ignition for storage geysers
Storage geysers keep a standing pilot and a safety valve that closes when the pilot goes out. An automatic ignition kit gives them what instant geysers already have: the ability to light themselves without anyone there. That is why the Autopilot kit is aimed at storage geysers with a conventional unitrol-type thermostat; it bypasses their pilot and lights the burner directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my piezo igniter with an automatic one?
You do not replace it as such; an auto ignition kit adds automatic lighting with its own igniter. With Autopilot you no longer need to press the pilot button at all.
Why does my instant geyser not light?
Most often weak batteries, low water pressure or low gas pressure. Replace the batteries first.
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