If you have a gas fireplace with a vertical pilot, it will light during a power outage because it does not require electricity to start the pilot flame. Most gas fireplaces incorporate a self-generating millivolt system using a thermopile.
The pilot position on a gas fireplace is the position on the fireplace controls that is used to start the pilot flame. The pilot position is typically set on the control dial with either the dial depressed and turned, or used with a separate spark button to light the pilot flame.
On a fireplace you will normally find the control knob behind the grate or door. Once you find this knob, you can determine what type of pilot light you have if there is a “pilot” position written on the knob (usually written between on and off).
Do Gas Fireplaces Always Have A Flame? Gas fireplaces that use a standing pilot ignition system will have a pilot flame that's always on. Gas fireplaces that use an intermittent pilot ignition system won't have and/or require a flame that's always on as the pilot can be switched on and off as required.
A standing pilot is the standard ignition device for most natural gas burning heating systems, and has been for many years. It's a continuously burning flame at the bottom of the heater, responsible for starting the burners that actually generate heat for the home.
Pilot Operation
This flame, called a pilot light, burns a constant flow of a small amount of gas. When the thermostat calls for heat and prompts the main gas valve to turn on, the pilot light ignites the larger flow of gas to the burner from the main supply. If the pilot flame is extinguished, the burner won't light.
This is a safety measure to prevent the home from filling up with gas. There are a couple of issues with this kind of system, the first of which is wasted energy. The pilot light stays lit 24/7, consuming fuel even when you aren't using the heater.
Your Utility Bill
Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.
Although this is an area of concern for many people, the reality is that boilers are built so that the gas supply to the pilot light is shut off if the flame goes out. Whilst the cause of pilot light failure needs to be investigated, extinguished pilot lights aren't going to cause a gas leak.
A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit to provide a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on when needed. 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.
Newer generations of gas fireplaces and appliances use an electronic ignition system. This does require electricity to start up. In the event of a power outage, a battery backup system will allow you to continue lighting your fireplace/using an appliance.
Turning off your pilot light is a simple process that will save you both energy and money. All you have to do is open the front of your fireplace, turn the Pilot knob to “off,” and then turn your gas shutoff valve to the “off” position as well.
The standing pilot is a small flame that constantly burns to allow the gas valve to open. This allows for continuous operation of the fireplace. Industry Standards: NFPA 54, Natural Gas Fuel Systems Code and UL 737 Standard for Safety Valve Performance Test Codes.
Is it safe to leave the pilot light on all the time? Generally speaking, it is safe to leave your continuous pilot light on at all times, assuming it stays lit (more on this in a moment). While it does cost more to keep your pilot light on in between uses, it can actually have some benefits to your system.
The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit
This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn't, then there's probably a problem with your thermopile.
A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won't stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn't lit.
This continuously burning flame will ignite the gas, when the gas valve opens. Then, this heat warms the air brought into your furnace, which will be redistributed throughout your home. If your pilot light is out, you may experience your furnace blowing cold air.
Along with overall energy efficiency, it is important to consider exactly how much a gas fireplace burns per hour. Based on the currently available models, gas log sets burn anywhere from 60,000 – 90,000 BTUs of gas per hour. On the other hand, the more efficient gas fireplaces use 10,000 – 70,000 BTUs/hour.
How Often to Clean a Gas Fireplace. It is important to clean a gas fireplace monthly even when it is not being used heavily. This will prevent dust and dirt from harming mechanisms and allow you to inspect the system for damage.
There are two types of electronic ignition, intermittent pilot and hot surface ignition. An intermittent pilot system generates a high voltage electrical spark whenever the thermostat calls for heat. This spark ignites a gas pilot, which then works just like the standing pilot light did.
Just how much gas does a pilot light consume? Most pilot lights will consume about 600 BTU's of gas/hour. With 24 hours in a day, that's roughly 14,400/BTU's each day.
If the system is working well, the color of the pilot light will be blue with yellow. The light should be about half-inch long to cover the end of the thermocouple tip. If the pilot flame is not well-tuned, and the flame is too forceful, it will further malfunction and create noise.