In many systems, a broken pilot light will prevent the appliance from working at all. This is a safety precaution to prevent a buildup of excess gas in the unit, which can be dangerous for you and your family, potentially leading to a gas leak.
This valve operates automatically and shuts off gas flow as soon as the pilot goes out, preventing any risks of excessive gas buildup. That said, even the failsafe system can malfunction, so any time your pilot is out, be sure to carefully check for any strong gas odors, like the scent of sulfur or rotten eggs.
That's important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit. But if the pilot flame goes out, then the gas would still be released. After a while, the gas could collect in your home and become a health hazard.
Even if the pilot light goes out and the gas is left running, it is usually not enough to cause danger. In this situation, the gas should be shut off and the area, whether it is an open room or a gas fireplace insert, should be allowed to air out.
If the safety devices are working properly, it is not dangerous if the pilot light goes out except for the damage which could occur by the failure of the furnace to heat the house.
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.
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. This may or may not be a concern for you.
Using a long match or long-barreled lighter, press and hold down the gas control knob with the lit match or lighter until the pilot lights. The pilot should start immediately once the flame is close enough. Once the pilot is lit, hold the button down for about 20 seconds until the thermocouple has time to heat up.
A rotten egg odor—or similar-type smell—is a definite leak indicator. Listen for hissing or whistling sounds. Look for any dust, dirt, or other debris at the fireplace base. Check for dead or yellowed grass and plants near outdoor gas lines.
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.
Pilot Light Issues: If the pilot light is not burning efficiently or has gone out, it can result in the release of a small amount of gas, leading to a faint odor.
Your unit's pilot light is always burning when the unit is on. If the pilot light goes out, the gas will stop flowing and your unit will shut off. When heating is required, the gas control valve releases the gas into the main burner where the pilot light ignites the gas.
Check the pilot light.
To locate the pilot light, look at the bottom of the water heater below the gas line valve. Open the access panel and search the burner chamber using a flashlight to locate the pilot light tube. If there is a blue flame, the pilot light is working. If there is no flame, the pilot light is out.
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.
The thermocouple is a key component of any water heater. It's what closes the gas valve when the pilot light goes out. This safety feature is included with the valve so gas won't just leak out if the flame isn't there anymore.
Dirty or Damaged Thermocouple Explains Why Pilot Light Keep Going Out. A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.
It's natural to be worried when you smell gas in the home, but in this case, the odds are that the condition is harmless. In fact, a faint gas smell is an unavoidable consequence of using gas fireplace logs. More than anything, it's a sign your fireplace is working the way it should.
The national average cost for gas fireplace repairs ranges from $150 to $600.
Faulty thermocouple: If the pilot light repeatedly goes out, the furnace's thermocouple may need replacing. When this flame sensor fails, gas continues to flow even if the pilot light has been extinguished. This is a safety hazard and requires immediate professional repair.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety. One of the main concerns about leaving the pilot light on during summer is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations. The pilot light can produce carbon monoxide even when no fire is burning in the fireplace.