Are Pilot Lights Always On?

The pilot light can be a “steady-on” pilot, or an ‘intermittent” or an electronic ignition system. The later type of pilot light is only on when the valve is open and the fireplace is operating. A millivolt valve utilizes a pilot light that is always lit.

Are pilot lights supposed to stay on?

Leaving the gas on keeps this compound moving out of the tubes. Keeping the pilot light on will also keep moisture out of the unit and in turn, help prevent corrosion.As you can see, it’s probably best in most cases to extinguish the pilot light in your gas fireplace during the months when you don’t need heat.

Should pilot light always be on gas fireplace?

Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace? Most gas fireplaces rely on a “continuous pilot light,” a type of pilot that remains lit so long as gas is flowing to the unit.If you have a continuous pilot light system, you should always see a pilot flame unless you have manually turned the system off.

Does pilot light stay on all the time furnace?

If you have an older gas furnace, your heating unit relies on a little blue flame known as a pilot light to ensure ignition of the burners. Water heaters, gas fireplaces and old gas stoves also often have similar pilot lights.Since the pilot light needs to remain active, your furnace is always consuming some gas.

Should I turn off my pilot light in the summer?

Should I Turn Off My Pilot Light In The Summer? If you have an older furnace, turning off your pilot light can be an excellent idea. A continuously burning furnace pilot light will generate heat and moisture throughout the summer months – in a small amount to be sure, but still undesirable once the weather heats up.

Will pilot light go out if gas is turned off?

A pilot light is a small flame inside the device that is lit at all times. This flame is used to restart the main burner and prevent gas leaks.Pilot lights will occasionally go out. Sometimes the cause is easily resolved, such as running out of propane or turning off the gas.

How do you know if the pilot light is out?

Remove the front cover panel on your furnace. This should expose the pilot, which simply looks like a small single burner, kind of like a candle or if you only had a single flame lit on a gas stove. If there is no flame, then the pilot is out.

What happens when the pilot light goes out?

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard, and requiring immediate repair.

How do I know if my pilot light is out on my furnace?

How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is Out

1. Locate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that’s easily visible.
2. If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame.
3. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out.
4. If there is a flame, check the color.

What should a pilot light look like on a gas fireplace?

A healthy pilot flame will be much like a blue “blow torch” flame. It will shoot sideways and be directly on your thermocouple and thermopile sensors. An unhealthy yellow pilot flame is more like a “candle”. It will shoot straight up in the air and will not engulf your sensors.

Do you leave gas on in fireplace?

If you leave the pilot light on for long periods without turning on the main burner, a white film can develop on the glass. This is a sulfur byproduct of the burning pilot, and if left uncleaned, it can etch the glass. For natural gas, I’d leave it on. If it’s propane, I’d turn it off and take the risk.

Is there always a small flame in a gas fireplace?

The little flame you see in your gas fireplace after you have turned it off is called a pilot light. A Standing Pilot Light runs constantly, whether your fireplace is on or off.What that means is that you don’t have a pilot light burning in your fireplace year around. When your fireplace is off, it’s all off.

Why does pilot not stay lit?

Some common causes include issues with the thermocouple and pilot tube. The thermocouple detects the pilot light via sensors. A faulty thermocouple may arbitrarily determine that the light is off when you want it on and vice versa.A dirty pilot tube can also prevent the pilot from staying lit.

How long do you hold a pilot light?

Continue to hold it in the “Pilot” position for approximately 30 to 45 seconds before releasing and turning to the “On” position. If the pilot does not stay lit, repeat the process, but this time hold the button or knob in “Pilot” position for a few seconds longer, up to one full minute.

What would cause a pilot light to not stay lit?

The Buildup of Dirt or Debris Around The Pilot Light – Over the years it’s easy for dust, debris, and dirt to build up on the inside of the intake valve where the pilot light resides. This makes it difficult for the flame to breath and as a result causes the pilot light to go out suddenly.

How much does it cost to keep pilot light on?

A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit to provide a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on when needed. The average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light is: Natural gas is $0.60 a day = $219 a year. Liquid Propane is $1.80 a day = $657 a year.

Will the gas company light My pilot?

Absolutely! We can send a gas service technician to light your pilot, and conduct a gas safety check of your gas fireplace or any other gas appliance to ensure your safety.

How much does it cost to keep pilot light on fireplace?

Usually it is $1 and change. So you pilot can be costing you $7 to $10 per month.

How do you tell if a gas line is on or off?

When the long side of the nub or handle is parallel to the incoming gas line, it’s open and the gas is flowing. When it’s turned a quarter turn, perpendicular to the incoming pipe, it’s closed.

Why does the pilot light go out on my gas fireplace?

If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit.

Do all furnaces have pilot lights?

Newer gas furnaces (since about 2010) do not have a traditional pilot light that burns all the time. Instead they use electronic ignition systems that light only as needed. Constant flame or “standing pilot” heating systems are still fairly common in older homes, and they can still be repaired in most cases.