QA

How To Light A Gas Fireplace Pilot

Can you light a gas fireplace pilot light with a lighter?

Hold the gas control button down while you hold the end of a lighted match or lighter at the end of the pilot tube. If you do this correctly, the pilot light should start as soon as the flame is close enough. Hold the pilot button down for about 20 seconds to give the thermocouple time to heat up, then release it.

Can I relight my own pilot light?

Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.

Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the 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.

Should pilot light always be on fireplace?

We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace’s pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”.

How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?

Most service providers will charge a standard fee per visit that typically covers the cost to relight a gas water heater. This service call price can range from $80 to $100.

How do I know if my pilot light is on?

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.

Will gas leak if pilot light is off?

If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater, you will not have a gas leak. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.

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.

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).

Is it OK to leave a gas fireplace on overnight?

The short answer is this: gas fireplaces that are fully vented and have safely and properly sealed glass fronts are fine to be left alone to run continuously.

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.

Can you manually light a gas fireplace?

Turn the knob from the “Off” to the “Pilot” position. Push in the pilot knob, which manually sends gas into the system. Push the igniter button once every second until it lights. Depending on how long it’s been since the gas fireplace was last used, ignition may take multiple attempts.

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

Most furnaces with electronic ignition have a device called a hot surface igniter. The difference is that the flame is only lit (by an electronic spark) when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. When the pilot light is not needed, it is completely off, saving you money on gas.

What color should the pilot light flame be?

Inspecting a Gas Furnace Pilot Light Flame A natural gas flame should be a bright blue color with a small amount of yellow at the very tip. A propane flame will have more of a bluish-green flame with a tinge of yellow at the tip. The flame should strong enough to cover about 1/2 inch at the end of the thermocouple tip.

Why does fireplace pilot 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.

What should fireplace pilot light look like?

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.

What happens if fireplace 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 gas fireplace save money?

Gas fireplaces can reduce your yearly heating costs. Gas fireplaces can also help you save on heating costs by providing warmth during unpredictable or “in-between” weather when it’s not cold enough for the central heat, but you still need some warmth. 3. New gas fireplaces are incredibly efficient.

How many hours can you run a gas fireplace?

In general, you should not run an unvented fireplace for more than three hours at a time. If you are using natural gas, you can usually run your fireplace for up to four hours before needing to refuel. If you are using propane, the limit is typically two hours.