Whether your gas fireplace should be left on the pilot setting or turned off completely depends on the season and your usage habits.
If you don't use your gas fireplace or stove for an extended period, such as during the summer or going on an extended vacation, turning it off can save you up to 10% on your annual energy costs. Increase Safety: While a pilot light is not a significant fire hazard, there is a small risk that it could cause a gas leak.
Here are the five key signs that your gas fireplace needs expert attention to keep your home safe and warm.
It's sometimes called the “flame sensor.” It shuts the gas off if the pilot goes out. Gas that flows through your furnace could enter your house if the thermocouple fails to turn it off. Protecting your home from gas buildup is the thermocouple.
Running a gas fireplace pilot light costs an average of $𝟑 to $𝟏𝟎 per month for natural gas, and up to $𝟏𝟐 to $𝟏𝟖 per month for liquid propane (LP). This translates to a total of roughly $𝟑𝟓 to $𝟏𝟐𝟎 per year just to keep the small flame continuously burning.
On average, the cost of running a gas fireplace ranges from $0.30 to $1.50 per hour. If used for about four hours a day, this can add $36 to $180 to your monthly energy bill. The cost to run a gas fireplace is typically lower than traditional wood-burning options, as gas burns cleaner and requires less maintenance.
Main causes for high gas bills
Yes, if a pilot light goes out, you will often smell a faint or noticeable odor. Natural gas is naturally odorless, but utility companies add a distinct chemical called mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, so you can easily detect it.
Gas fireplaces typically last between 10 to 20 years, though high-quality models that receive annual professional maintenance can last up to 30 years. The exact lifespan often depends on the specific components, as parts will degrade at different rates.
Hissing or Whistling Sounds: Gas escaping a pipe under pressure often creates a hissing or whistling sound. The intensity depends on the size of the leak. Larger leaks might even produce a roaring sound. If you hear this, get out and don't hesitate!
14 Common Gas Fireplace Problems & What to Do
Cleaning a gas fireplace thermocouple is a simple maintenance task that fixes pilot lights that won't stay lit. Turn off the gas and let the unit fully cool. Remove the glass and logs to access the pilot assembly. Gently scrub the thermocouple rod with high-grit sandpaper or emery cloth, wipe away debris, and reassemble.
Early detection of natural gas leaks can prevent potentially catastrophic incidents. Firefighters should be trained to detect the telltale odor of gas and to use gas detection monitors to identify the presence of leaks.
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.
A pilot light going out is not always dangerous, but it should be addressed quickly. Most modern furnaces include safety features that shut off the gas supply if the pilot flame goes out. However, if you smell gas or cannot safely relight the pilot light, you should contact an HVAC professional immediately.
Sleeping in the same room as an open flued gas appliance (back boiler or gas fire) contravenes the gas safety regulations and puts your life in danger. If you are found to be sleeping in the same room as an open flued appliance during one of our visits, your gas heating appliance will be capped off for safety reasons.
Signs Your Gas Fireplace Insert Needs Professional Servicing
Here's an example to help illustrate this, with a fireplace with a Btu rating of 30,000: (30,000 x 1.59) / 100,000 = 0.47. That means it will cost about $0.47 per hour to run your fireplace. If you run your fireplace for 8 hours a night, it will cost $3.76 a day.
It can feel tempting running your gas fireplace all day long when it's chilly outside, but this can come with some safety risks. In general, you shouldn't leave your gas fireplace on for more than three hours.
The first signs of a gas leak usually involve a distinct rotten egg or sulfur smell (due to an added odorant), a persistent hissing or whistling sound near gas lines, or physical symptoms like sudden dizziness, headaches, or nausea.
No. If your pilot light goes out, gas stops flowing on most modern gas appliances.
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.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical house, accounting for roughly 45−50% of your total electricity usage. Water heaters, refrigerators, and lighting round out the rest of the major draws.
The Top Energy-Draining Appliance: Space Heating & Cooling
This includes both forced-air systems, heat pumps, furnaces, baseboards, window A/C units, and fans. Because they run for long periods and often at high wattage, they dominate the consumption profile.
Pilot light in your boiler might be on? It burns a small amount of gas all the time in many gas boilers.