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A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit in certain gas-fired appliances like your furnace, water heater, and gas fireplace. When you turn on your appliance, gas is released to the main burner and the pilot light ignites that gas to turn on your appliance and provide heat.
Does pilot light stay on all the time?
Generally speaking, it is safe to leave your continuous pilot light on at all times, assuming it stays lit (more on this in a moment). While it does cost more to keep your pilot light on in between uses, it can actually have some benefits to your system.
What keeps a pilot light lit?
The thermocouple on your heating system is a safety device that determines whether or not your furnace pilot light is lit. It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open.
What happens 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.
Does pilot light go out when power goes out?
Will My Pilot Light Go out When I Lose Power? Yes. Your water heater’s pilot light can go our when you lose power. A gas water heater has a safety device called a thermocouple (no need for a flux capacitor joke here).
Should I turn off fireplace pilot light in summer?
Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.
Can a pilot light cause a fire?
When the appliance is turned on, a valve releases more gas, which is ignited by the pilot light. 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.
How do I stop the wind from blowing out my pilot light?
You can prevent a faulty pilot light from wind by fixing your thermocouple, gas release, protecting against downdrafts, capping your chimney, and checking your firebox cover.
Why does pilot light go out on hot water tank?
Your thermocouple senses when your pilot light is burning. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out. If there is a flame, check the color. Pilot lights should always be blue.
Do you smell gas when pilot light goes?
This system will allow a small amount of gas to leak through the pilot tubing. If the pilot light is out, the gas must be shut off at the appliance isolation valve, normally located in close proximity to the appliance. If you notice an odor of gas, contact Peoples’ emergency number at 1-800-400-4271.
Can I relight the pilot light by myself?
If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.
How do you turn on a pilot light?
Turn the gas regulator valve to the “pilot” position. If the water heater has a manual “ignite” button, press that to light the pilot. If it doesn’t have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites.
Do gas stoves need electricity to work?
While it doesn’t draw anywhere near the same amount of current as an electric one, a gas oven still requires electricity. The power isn’t for heating, but for running the gas igniter and any accessories the unit features, such as a clock/timer and oven light.
How do you restart a furnace when the gas is off?
How do you restart a gas furnace? Turn the circuit breaker off and switch the furnace power button off too. Access the pilot light by removing the access panel. Turn the gas control valve off and let the gas dissipate for five minutes before turning it back on in order to prevent a fire hazard.
Is it OK to turn off gas heater?
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.
How much does it cost to keep pilot light on fireplace?
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. Sophisticated fireplace manufactures like Travis Industries have developed Intermittent pilot light systems.
Why did my fireplace pilot light go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
How much does it cost to keep the pilot light on a gas fireplace?
Running a pilot light for 1 hour costs about 1 cent (0.62 cent/hour for natural gas and 1.64 cent/hour for propane). Monthly costs of running a pilot light range from $4.49/month (natural gas) to $11.34/month (propane).
