Should the pilot light always be on in a gas furnace?

Should The Pilot Light Always Be On In A Gas Furnace? Yes, if the furnace is in operation, the pilot light will need to be on for it to be functional. However, some homeowners turn off their furnace's pilot light in the warmer seasons when the gas furnaces aren't in use.The pilot light in a gas furnace does not need to be on all the time. If the furnace is in use, the pilot light will certainly need to remain on in order for it to work. However, there are cases where the pilot light can be turned off and disconnected from the gas line.

Is pilot light on all the time?

It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”. The best way to determine if you have this type of gas fireplace is to look at the control knob of the fireplace. On a fireplace you will normally find the control knob behind the grate or door.

Should I leave my furnace on pilot or on?

It's a good idea to turn off your furnace during hot months. If left on, it will continue to consume energy. The furnace contains some electrical components like sensors that can needlessly draw power throughout the summer. If your furnace has a pilot light, it will use up unnecessary gas during summer when left on.

Does gas still flow when 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.

Should you turn off furnace pilot light in summer?

Shutting your pilot light and gas supply off in the summer not only saves precious energy, it'll save you money as well—as much as $50 a year. Shutting your pilot light and gas supply off in the summer not only saves precious energy, it'll save you money as well—as much as $50 a year.

What happens if you leave it on pilot?

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.

Should I leave my heater on pilot?

As the weather warms up, it is time to put your gas fireplaces and furnaces to rest for the summer. Since it will be several months before you need to fire up the heat again, it is worth considering turning off your system's pilot light.

How often should pilot light go out?

Pilot lights do go out occasionally. But if your pilot light goes out more than once per season, this could indicate a problem. Some people even shut them off for the summer.

Can a pilot light cause carbon monoxide?

It could be dangerous. But if your pilot light is yellow, or even if has a slight yellow or orange tint, then wasted energy may be the least of your concerns. A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

How do you turn off a pilot light?

Turning off your pilot light is a simple process that will save you both energy and money. All you have to do is open the front of your fireplace, turn the Pilot knob to “off,” and then turn your gas shutoff valve to the “off” position as well.

Does a pilot light use a lot of gas?

Just how much gas does a pilot light consume? Most pilot lights will consume about 600 BTU's of gas/hour. With 24 hours in a day, that's roughly 14,400/BTU's each day. Figuring 30 days, a pilot light will use approximately 432,000 BTU each month.

Can a pilot light cause a fire?

If this leak continues, its concentration may reach a point where a spark – such as that from a cigarette lighter, static electricity, or even the pilot light itself as it is re-lit – will cause a fire or even an explosion.

Is it OK to turn pilot light off?

A little heat is produced when your pilot light is on so turning it off in summer can help reduce the heat inside your home. The less heat there is, the less you have to use your air conditioner needs to cool down the house. You can get savings and conserve energy if you turn off your pilot light.

When did furnaces stop using pilot lights?

Should I turn my furnace off if it's blowing cold air?

When a furnace only blows cold air, there's a chance the heater could have overheated. But don't worry, this usually doesn't mean the unit is broken. When the system overheats, there's a safety feature that shuts the system off. This is a good thing—it could prevent a fire, carbon monoxide leak, or even an explosion.

Do you smell gas when pilot light goes?

A faint propane smell may not be cause for alarm. It's normal for a propane odor to linger when lighting a stove, or if the pilot light in a gas fireplace, hot water heater or other appliance goes out.

How much gas does a pilot light use in a month?

We have calculated that a standard pilot light uses 416.88 cubic feet of natural gas or 4.723 gallons of propane per month.

Is it bad to turn your furnace on and off?

Turning your heat or your air conditioning off may not damage your system, but you may experience “collateral damage.” For example, if your house gets cold during the day and the temperatures are low outside, your pipes may freeze and burst.

Why is the furnace blowing cold air?

If your furnace is blowing cold air in your home, this is a sign of an issue with the flame detector, gas supply, air filter, pilot light, or condensate lines. Many of these issues are able to be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.

Where is a reset button on furnace?

Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

What causes a pilot light to go out on a furnace?

A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.

Do you smell gas when pilot light goes?

A faint propane smell may not be cause for alarm. It's normal for a propane odor to linger when lighting a stove, or if the pilot light in a gas fireplace, hot water heater or other appliance goes out.

When did furnaces stop using pilot lights?

Why is my furnace not kicking on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first check if the filter is clean. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won't start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning from a furnace?

Quickly Causes Poisoning Carbon monoxide can take as little as five minutes to make you sick, depending on how saturated the air is. The following are common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: Chest pain. Vomiting.

What happens if you turn off pilot light?

A little heat is produced when your pilot light is on so turning it off in summer can help reduce the heat inside your home. The less heat there is, the less you have to use your air conditioner needs to cool down the house. You can get savings and conserve energy if you turn off your pilot light.

Can you leave the pilot light on on a gas fireplace?

For standing pilot light gas fireplaces, the pilot light can typically be left on throughout the colder months when the fireplace will be used. It may be possible to leave a pilot light on through the months when the fireplace isn’t used depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Should I Turn my furnace’s pilot light off?

Keep in mind, your furnace only uses a little bit of gas to power the pilot light. Turning the pilot light off will only add up to a few bucks of savings a month. If you don’t mind spending a few cents a day, don’t mess with it.

What happens if you leave the pilot light on on gas?

If a pilot light on a gas fireplace is left on for long periods of time without also turning on the fireplace's main burner, a white sulfur-based film tends to develop on the inside of the glass. If it is not cleaned properly, it could become etched into the glass.

What is a gas pilot light?

What is a gas pilot light? A pilot light is a small flame that is kept alight using a steady, small stream of gas. This continuous flame is necessary to light large burners such as those found in gas fireplaces.