Do Pilot Lights Stay Lit On Gas Fireplace When Turned Off?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Do pilot lights stay lit on gas fireplace when turned off? 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.

Contents hide

Should a gas fireplace pilot light always be on?

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”.

Can I turn off pilot light on gas fireplace?

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

Is it safe to leave the pilot light on in the fireplace?


It’s not safe to leave it on

. Why Isn’t It Safe? The biggest reason is that gas fireplaces can release deadly carbon monoxide gas, which is odourless and can go unnoticed until a person dies from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is best to not leave your fireplace on for more than three hours at a time.

Will gas leak if pilot light is off?

This electric current energises an electromagnet that in turn keeps a gas valve open allowing gas to flow to the main burner.

If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking

.

How much does it cost to run a gas fireplace pilot light?

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 do I know if my gas fireplace is off?

Is it safe to leave a gas fireplace on all night?

An overall rule for safe gas fireplace usage is to

not let your fireplace—no matter which style—operate throughout the night

. Unmonitored gas fireplaces can lead to dangerous, often fatal, outcomes. The two most concerning outcomes of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long are a house fire or a gas leak.

How do I turn off the pilot light?

Does a furnace pilot light always stay on?

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.

Why is my gas fireplace making noise when off?

Yes, a gas log system that makes a clicking or ticking sound when the burner is lit or turned off is

typically caused by the metal shell around the gas logs contracting as it cools down

. If the noise is excessive, then you will want to contact a qualified service technician.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?


Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning

. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.

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.

Can you smell gas from a pilot light?

If you smell a faint gas odor near an appliance:


Check to see if your pilot light is lit

; if you find a pilot light extinguished, open windows and doors to vent the area; then wait 15 minutes before relighting the pilot light. If the odor persists, call Danville Utilities.

How do I know if my pilot light is lit?

  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.

Is it cheaper to run a gas fireplace or the heat?


A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace

. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.

Do gas fireplaces use a lot of gas?


A standard 20,000 BTU gas fireplace will use about 20 cubic feet of natural gas per hour

. Given that price of natural gas is about $1.09 per 100 cubic feet, running a standard-sized gas fireplace will cost about $0.22/hour at 100% heating output. In short: Gas fireplaces are quite inexpensive to run.

Do gas fireplaces turn off automatically?

How do I turn off the gas to my fireplace?

Can a gas fireplace cause a fire?

GAS FIREPLACES SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Whenever you use a gas appliance in your home, you run the risk that excess carbon monoxide will poison your family or that

an untended gas flame will cause a fire

.

Can gas fireplaces explode?

Although convenient, these home gas fireplaces

pose significant risk of explosions and house fires if they are improperly installed or maintained

. Gas Fireplace leaks can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, but can also result in explosions that can level an entire neighborhood block.

How many hours can you run a gas fireplace?

Can a gas fireplace overheat?

The chimney can heat up to a point where it can crack. The good thing about gas fireplaces, compared to wood-burning fireplaces, is that

in most models the gas will shut off if the heat gets too high

. This internal control keeps the fireplace from producing a dangerous amount of heat.

Is it safe to turn off gas furnace?

You can switch off the pilot light by turning the knob to the off position. To uphold safety,

you can turn off the gas supply to the furnace

. But be careful not to turn off the gas supply to the rest of the house. You’ll still need it for cooking, cleaning, heating water, and other activities in summer.

How do you turn off a gas fireplace without the remote?


Usually there is a rocker switch that is located around your burner which, if in the “ON” position, it will override the remote. Turn the switch to “OFF.”

There may be a wall switch that allows you to turn your burner on. Turn the switch to “OFF.”

Should you turn your 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.

Why does pilot 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.

Should a pilot light make noise?

Why is my pilot light loud?

Should my gas fireplace make noise?


A rumbling noise that occurs when the burners are on typically means that burners are dirty

. Contact our chimney professionals to have your burners properly cleaned. If there is a roaring sound that occurs when the pilot light is on, it is usually because the flame needs to be adjusted.

Should I crack a window when using fireplace?

Why does my gas fireplace give me a headache?


The smell of burning gas

can cause sensitivity, headaches, and other issues in some people. This can especially be the case with vent-free gas logs. These types of logs don’t have a chimney or vent to remove the fumes produced by the fire, so the smell is typically stronger.

What color should the flame be in a gas fireplace?

Proper Flame Colour

A gas fireplace should burn flames that are

blue, perhaps with very small tips in yellow or orange

. The flames should be steady and consistent no matter what. Although, there is a small exception.

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.

Does the pilot light stay on in a gas furnace?


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.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.