What happens if you leave pilot light on?

What happens if you leave pilot light on?

If you leave the pilot light on for long periods without turning on the main burner, a white film can develop on the glass. This is a sulfur byproduct of the burning pilot, and if left uncleaned, it can etch the glass. For natural gas, I’d leave it on. If it’s propane, I’d turn it off and take the risk.

Is it safe to leave pilot light on fireplace?

As you can see, it’s probably best in most cases to extinguish the pilot light in your gas fireplace during the months when you don’t need heat. Also, is relighting a pilot light dangerous? While the furnace itself may be safe, gas can be dangerous.

What happens when you turn your pilot light off?

First, your pilot light burns gas, costing you money and potentially eating up the surrounding area. If you switch your pilot light off, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to reverse the heating effect of the pilot light. Your furnace only uses a small amount of gas to power the pilot light.

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

This amount can easily add up if the unit is left running all year long–you could potentially be spending up to $120 per year on gas just to keep your pilot light going. To save money, some people will turn off their gas feed between uses, thereby turning off their pilot light.

Why does my fireplace smell bad when the pilot is off?

Just one less thing to worry about when it is HOT out. With the pilot off, there are still trace amounts of gas molecules in the burner and pilot tubes of your fireplace. The gas companies add a chemical called Mercaptan to the gas which gives it that lovely odor we all know.

Why does my fireplace pilot light go out?

The pilot light may accidentally go out from a gush of chimney air when the fireplace is vented through a chimney or the pilot may be turned off to conserve gas during the warmer months of non-use.

Why is my furnace pilot not staying lit?

The most common reason the furnace pilot light won’t stay lit. Bad Thermocouple. A furnace thermocouple is a safety feature that regulates gas flow to your system based on whether the pilot light is on. In simple terms, the thermocouple checks to see if your pilot light flame is lit and turns off the gas flow if it senses that your pilot light is off, so you don’t have gas building up in your home.

Why will gas logs not stay lit?

If you can’t keep your gas logs stay lit, likely your pilot light (flame) is poor or that your thermocouple is bad. Check that your flame is blue and check your thermocouple for voltage. These problems could be manifestations of more serious issues.