Rajan Wilcox
Gas fireplaces with pilot lights are designed to maintain a small, continuous flame, even when the primary gas burner is not in use. This is to allow for quick ignition of the main burner when needed. While this provides convenience and safety, it also raises the question of fuel consumption. The amount of fuel burned by a pilot light depends on various factors, including the type of fuel, the size of the flame, and the frequency of use. In this paragraph, we will explore the fuel usage of pilot lights in gas fireplaces and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of keeping them lit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To generate electricity and ignite the gas once the valve is opened |
| Cost | $7 per month and $84 per year |
| Fuel consumption | 24,000 BTU per day, 720,000 BTU per month, or 7.2 therms |
| Safety | Pilot lights ensure gas released from the main burner ignites instantly, preventing build-up |
| Pros | Instant operation of the fireplace, keeps the firebox dry, prevents spiders and insects from entering the burner tubes |
| Cons | Can cause a white film to develop on the inside of the glass, can be costly in terms of fuel consumption |
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What You'll Learn
- Pilot lights burn gas, so they cost money to run
- They are a safety feature, preventing gas from building up
- Pilot lights can help keep the firebox dry, preventing rust
- They can be set to auto shut-off or left to run continuously
- Turning off the pilot light can prevent a white film from building up on the glass
Pilot lights burn gas, so they cost money to run
Pilot lights are a small, continuous flame that stays lit even when the primary gas burner is not in use. They are usually located just before the burner to ignite the gas. Pilot lights are important for safety reasons as they prevent the build-up of gas when the burner is turned on. They also serve the function of generating electricity in millivolts to open and close the gas valve.
While pilot lights are important for safety and convenience, they do burn gas and therefore cost money to run. The exact cost will depend on the fuel source and the rate charged by the supplier. For example, for natural gas customers, fuel is billed in "therms", with one therm equalling 100,000 BTU. A pilot light might consume about 24,000 BTU per day, adding up to about 720,000 BTU per month, or 7.2 therms. If the rate is $1 per therm, this would result in a cost of around $7 per month or $84 per year.
For propane users, the cost of running a pilot light can be even higher. Propane typically costs around $3.05 per gallon, and a pilot light can use around 8 gallons of propane per month, resulting in a cost of about $24 per month or $288 per year.
In addition to the financial cost, there are other considerations to take into account when deciding whether to keep a pilot light on. For example, a burning pilot light can produce sulfur that can build up on glass fireplace doors over time, requiring special cleaning solutions to remove. On the other hand, keeping the pilot light on can help to keep the firebox dry and prevent spider webs from forming in the burner, which could require a service call to fix.
There are different types of pilot ignition systems available, including the intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) system, which only turns on when the valve is open and the fireplace is operational. This system is typically operated in auto-shutoff mode but can also be set to run continuously. Another type is the steady-on or standing pilot light, which uses a millivolt valve that keeps the pilot flame constantly lit.
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They are a safety feature, preventing gas from building up
The pilot light on a gas fireplace is a safety feature that prevents gas from building up. It is designed to ignite the gas released from the main burner instantly, ensuring that the gas does not fill up the appliance and its surroundings before ignition, which could lead to a dangerous explosion. This is especially important when turning on the main burner, as a build-up of gas could result in an explosive situation.
The pilot light is typically positioned just before the burner, ensuring that it is ready to ignite the gas as soon as the valve is opened. This continuous flame is a safety measure, as it prevents gas from accumulating and helps to regulate the gas flow from the main valve. This controlled gas flow is a crucial aspect of the pilot light's design, as it ensures the flame remains lit and does not get extinguished by draughts or minor fluctuations in the gas supply.
The two main types of pilot ignition systems are the intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) and the steady-on or standing pilot light. The IPI system is an electronic ignition method that lights the pilot only when the fireplace is turned on, igniting the main burner. This modern system combines the reliability of a pilot light with the efficiency of electronic ignition. On the other hand, the steady-on or standing pilot light uses a millivolt valve that keeps the pilot flame constantly lit, providing immediate ignition when the fire is turned on.
While the pilot light does burn a small amount of gas, it serves an essential safety function. The cost of keeping the pilot light on is relatively low, ranging from $7 to $20 per month, depending on the fuel source. Additionally, the pilot light helps keep the firebox dry, preventing rust from developing inside the firebox of the gas fireplace. Furthermore, the pilot light's flame discourages spiders from building webs in the burner orifice, which can cause operational issues and require costly service calls to rectify.
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Pilot lights can help keep the firebox dry, preventing rust
The pilot light on a gas fireplace is a small, continuous flame that stays lit even when the primary gas burner is inactive. It is designed to ignite the gas once the valve is opened. Pilot lights are typically located behind the logs in the firebox.
One of the benefits of keeping the pilot light on is that it helps keep the firebox dry, preventing rust. This is especially useful in humid climates. The small amount of heat generated by the pilot light can prevent humidity from causing rust inside the firebox of your gas fireplace.
Another advantage of a constantly burning pilot light is that it keeps spiders and insects away. Spiders are attracted to the smell of Mercaptan, a chemical added to gas supplies by gas companies. With no pilot light flame, spiders may enter the fireplace and build webs in the pilot light tubes, causing problems when you try to ignite the fireplace.
However, leaving the pilot light on does come with some costs. Pilot lights burn fuel, which can add up to a significant amount over time, especially for propane users. Additionally, a burning pilot light produces sulfur, which can build up on glass fireplace doors and require special cleaning solutions to remove.
The decision to keep the pilot light on or turn it off depends on various factors, including the climate, the frequency of fireplace usage, and the potential costs and benefits.
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They can be set to auto shut-off or left to run continuously
The pilot light on a gas fireplace is a small, continuous flame that stays lit even when the primary gas burner isn't in use. It is designed to ignite the gas once the valve is opened. The pilot light can be left on throughout the year, depending on the type of ignition system.
There are two types of pilot ignition systems available on a gas fireplace: Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI) and Steady-on or Standing Pilot Light. The IPI system is an update to the classic standing pilot light, controlled by an electronic ignition system. The intermittent pilot turns on only when the valve is open and the fireplace operates. While the IPI system is usually operated in the auto-shutoff mode, some models can be set to run continuously. The Standing Pilot Light uses a millivolt valve that keeps the pilot flame constantly lit.
Leaving the pilot light on has its pros and cons. On the one hand, the small amount of heat generated by the pilot light helps keep the firebox dry, preventing rust in humid climates. A constantly burning pilot light also prevents spiders from building webs in the pilot tubes, which can cause problems when engaging the pilot light. Additionally, it provides instant operation of the fireplace, which is important for homeowners who use their fireplaces year-round.
On the other hand, leaving the pilot light on incurs fuel costs. For propane users, turning off the pilot light during seasons when the fireplace is not in use can result in significant savings. A pilot light might consume about 24,000 BTU per day, adding up to about 720,000 BTU a month, or 7.2 therms. If you’re paying $1 per therm, then leaving the pilot light on all the time throughout a month might cost you around $7 per month and $84 per year. Similarly, a user reported that their propane fireplace pilot light cost them $20 per month in propane.
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Turning off the pilot light can prevent a white film from building up on the glass
A pilot light is a small, continuous flame that stays lit even when the primary gas burner is not in use. It is usually located just before the burner to ignite the gas. The pilot light is crucial for safety reasons, as it prevents a dangerous build-up of gas when the burner is turned on.
The decision to turn off the pilot light depends on various factors. One consideration is the cost of fuel. Pilot lights consume fuel, and the expense can add up, especially for propane users. On the other hand, keeping the pilot light on provides instant operation of the fireplace, which is essential for many homeowners, even in warmer climates, as fireplaces are often used for ambiance and visual appeal.
Additionally, the pilot light helps keep the firebox dry, preventing rust development in humid climates. It also deters spiders from building webs in the burner orifice, which can be costly to fix.
Some modern fireplaces feature an intermittent pilot ignition system, which only lights the pilot when the fireplace is turned on, combining reliability with energy efficiency. This system eliminates the need to keep the pilot light burning continuously.
Ultimately, the choice to turn off the pilot light to prevent the white film buildup on the glass depends on the user's priorities regarding cost, convenience, and maintenance.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on what you want to accomplish by turning the pilot light off or leaving it on. The functionality of a fireplace can be affected by turning off the pilot. If you're not using the fireplace, turning off the pilot light can save you money. However, if you live in a humid climate, the small amount of heat the pilot light creates can help keep the firebox dry and prevent rust.
Most pilot lights consume around 600 BTUs of gas/hour, which is roughly 14,400 BTUs daily or 432,000 BTUs monthly. This equates to 4.3 therms of gas, which can cost around $7 per month and $84 per year.
Keeping the pilot light on ensures instant operation of your fireplace or stove. It also helps keep the firebox dry, preventing rust. Additionally, the constant flame can prevent spiders from building webs in the burner orifice, which can require servicing.
Leaving the pilot light on can result in additional fuel costs. Over time, the burning pilot light can produce sulfur that builds up on glass fireplace doors, requiring special cleaning solutions to remove.
The flame should predominantly be blue, indicating that the gas is burning efficiently and the fuel-to-air ratio is appropriate. The flame's tip might have a yellow tinge, but if most of the flame is yellow or orange, it indicates incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide.
