Can a pilot light leak gas?

Author: Kraig Kris DVM  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

But a problem with a pilot flame can cause several issues, putting your home at risk of a gas leak.

Will gas leak if the pilot light goes out?

Pilot lights have a temperature sensor (thermocouple) that turns off the gas if the flame goes out, so you will not be leaking gas. They also have an off position, as shown above. In this position the pilot flame is turned off and no gas, pilot or otherwise is allowed to the appliance.

Is it normal to smell gas when pilot light is on?

But yes, it's normal for a gas smell for a minute or two after turning it on. If the pilot light doesn't ignite, turn off the gas!

Is it safe to leave gas pilot light on?

Appliances that have continuous pilot lights are generally safe providing all the required parts are in place and sealed properly. Many of the appliances have built in safety features to turn the gas off should the pilot light go out.

Do pilot lights emit gas?

Also, a typical pilot light can generate 450 pounds of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas -- over a six-month period.

Does gas leak if the pilot light goes out?

Can a pilot light cause carbon monoxide poisoning?

Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented to the outside. Gas ovens and ranges should be monitored closely and kept in good working order.

Is it safe to light your pilot light?

Yes, it's safe for homeowners to relight their gas furnace pilot light as long as they follow proper safety steps. However, if you're unsure or uncomfortable, it's best to contact a furnace technician for help.

Is it OK to leave pilot light on all year?

In the end, keeping the gas fireplace pilot light on or off is a personal preference. The decision boils down to residual heat, gas usage, and the possibility of nesting spiders. Generally, we recommend turning off the gas pilot light during the summer months.

Is it expensive to leave pilot light on?

A fireplace 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.

Should you turn off pilot light?

Protect Your Fireplace

Additionally, an active pilot light can create moisture, which may collect inside the pipes and cause corrosion. Turning off your pilot light is a simple process that will save you both energy and money.

Is a slight gas smell normal?

It's normal for a faint odor to remain after lighting a stove or if the pilot light in a hot water heater, gas fireplace or other appliance goes out. Nonetheless, any possible leak must be taken seriously, especially if the odor is strong, persistent, or accompanied by a hissing sound.

What does a bad pilot light look like?

A properly working pilot light flame should be a cone-like shape, bright blue in color and yellow at the tip. A lazy orange/yellow flame means the furnace or water heater isn't getting hot enough to heat the thermocouple to the point where it triggers the gas valve to open.

What if my house smells like gas but no leak?

If there is a gas smell but no leaks, it could be the lingering propane odor due to poor ventilation or it coming from your neighbor. The dirty sewage system, contaminated well, or rotten garbage (like veggies, dead animals, residual foods, etc.) might also be the source of the smell.

Should I smell gas after lighting 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 they are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.

Should I worry if the pilot light goes out?

Is It Dangerous if The Pilot Light Goes Out? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself, it could result in a very serious explosion.

How do you tell if their is a gas leak?

If you detect any of the following signs of a natural gas leak in your house or think you have been exposed, contact 911 immediately.
  1. The smell of rotten eggs. In its natural state, natural gas is odorless and colorless. ...
  2. Hissing sounds. ...
  3. Air bubbles outside your home. ...
  4. Dead or dying plants. ...
  5. Higher-than-normal gas usage.

Does turning off pilot light save gas?

Energy Conservation

The best reason to turn the pilot light off during summer is to conserve energy, especially now that prices are rising. Leaving the pilot light on consumes more gas, and it doesn't make sense to pay for it when you're not using it.

Can you leave pilot light on overnight?

A: Yes, it's generally safe to leave the pilot light on in your gas fireplace. This small flame is designed to stay lit all the time. Q: What are the benefits of leaving the pilot light on? A: Keeping the pilot light on can prevent the build-up of moisture in the fireplace, which can lead to corrosion over time.

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.

Does the gas shut off when the pilot light goes out?

The thermocouple is a safety device designed to shut off the gas valve if the pilot light goes out.

Is it safe to have pilot light out?

Having the pilot light turn off is not automatically cause for panic. If it goes out, follow your manufacturer's instructions and determine whether relighting it is safe. If relighting is not safe, or if your pilot light keeps going out, call for help from a trained technician.

Do pilot lights waste a lot of gas?

How much gas does a pilot light require? Most pilot lights consume around 600 BTUs of gas every hour. If you leave your pilot light on for an entire day, it would roughly consume 14,400 BTU's every day.

Can I relight the pilot light by myself?

The Short Answer Is: It is generally safe for a homeowner to relight a furnace pilot light, as long as they follow proper precautions and guidelines. To do it yourself, first, turn off the furnace's gas supply and wait for a few minutes to allow any lingering gas to dissipate.

Will the furnace run if the pilot light is out?

So basically your pilot light is responsible for combusting your fuel source, which is how your furnace creates heat. If it goes out, the safety features of your furnace will not allow it to release gas into the burner, meaning that the furnace will not run at all.

Who to call to relight a pilot light?

Call Your Local Mr. Rooter Plumber! If you are having trouble getting your water heater pilot light on, or you can't get it to stay lit for long, rely on a plumbing professional for water heater repair, maintenance, and replacement services.

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