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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. Since the pilot light needs to remain active, your furnace is always consuming some gas.
Does the pilot light always stay on?
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.
Should you turn off the pilot light?
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”.
Is it bad if the pilot light goes out?
The pilot light is a small, blue flame that is used to ignite the natural gas being pumped into the main burner. This tube is fitted with a safety valve (the thermocouple), which stops the flow of gas if the pilot light goes out. This prevents gas from building up in your furnace, posing a safety hazard.
Should my furnace always have a flame?
Another serious warning sign that should never be ignored is a yellow or orange flame. A furnace flame should always burn blue; it should also be stable and appear clean.
Will the gas company light My pilot?
Most of today’s gas appliances have electric starters, rather than pilot lights. One caveat, however: If you detect the strong smell of natural gas, do not attempt to light the pilot. Instead, leave the house and call your local gas company or 911.
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.
Should I turn off my furnace pilot light in the summer?
Most modern mid to high efficiency gas furnaces no longer have a pilot light. It’s been replaced by an electronic ignition. As a result, the furnace will not need to continuously burn gas in order to keep a pilot light going, making it unnecessary to turn off your furnace for the summer.
Does turning off the pilot light save money?
Turning off the pilot lights on gas fireplaces and furnaces when not in regular use can save energy and money. Your furnace only uses a small amount of gas to power the pilot light. Turning the pilot light off, only saves a few dollars each month. If you don’t mind spending a few cents a day, don’t mess with it.
Is it OK to turn your furnace off?
If it’s a natural gas furnace that uses a standing pilot light to ignite the burners, then we recommend you shut it all the way off by turning off the gas to it. It’s fine to simply stop using the furnace if this is the case rather than shut it off entirely.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a pilot light?
A pilot light should be a crisp blue colour. A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150. This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
What do I do if my pilot light keeps going out?
What do I do if my pilot light keeps going out? Find the gas shut-off knob and turn to the “Off” setting. Remove the access panel to access the burner. Turn the knob to “Pilot” to start the flow of gas. While still holding the gas knob, light the pilot with a long lighter.
Why does the flame on my furnace keep going out?
Malfunctioning Thermocouple If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, it’s likely you have a broken thermocouple in your gas furnace. The thermocouple is a rod that comes into physical contact with the flame in your system. This component will deactivates the gas when the pilot light goes out.
How long should furnace flame stay on?
With all that being said, if there are no extreme factors involved, the average run time for a furnace is 10-15 minutes per cycle.
What color should the flame in your furnace be?
The burner flames from your natural gas furnace should look blue or almost completely blue. A healthy natural gas furnace flame is characterized by a roaring blue flame with a light blue triangle in its center. There may be a tiny tip of yellow.
Can you smell a pilot light?
Note that it is totally normal on automatic pilots (pilots that do NOT stay lit all the time) to smell a little natural gas when the are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.
Is it illegal to turn your gas back on?
While you could reconnect your own gas, there may be major consequences for doing so. Many gas companies actually place a lock over your meter that opens with a special tool or key that the company possesses. Tampering with the lock is a crime and may carry heavy consequences depending on your area.
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.
Does pilot light go out when power goes out?
In a pilot light, one of the junctions of a thermocouple is sitting in the pilot light’s flame. The electricity that is created runs to a small electromagnetic valve and holds it open. If the pilot light blows out, the thermocouple quickly cools off. It stops generating electricity and the valve closes.
