Can a Pilot Light Outage Be Dangerous? 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.
If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. … The thermocouple is a metal rod that sticks out right in front of the pilot itself. It senses if flame is present or not. If the pilot light is lit, it heats up the thermocouple.
Thereof, Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?
If the pilot light goes out on a storage or instantaneous hot water heater, space heater or a ducted heater, you will not have a gas leak. This is because all modern gas appliances with pilot lights have a fail-safe device that closes off the gas to the appliance in the case when the pilot may go out.
Also to know is, How much does it cost to leave the pilot light on a gas fireplace? The pilot light burns significantly less fuel than a fire but it can cost $8 to $10 a month if your fireplace is fueled by natural gas. If your fireplace is fueled by propane, it could cost up to $20 a month. Turning off the pilot would reduce your energy costs during the summer.
Subsequently, question is, What do you do when your pilot light goes out? – Turn off your appliance at the power switch or thermostat.
– Find the gas valve control knob and turn it to select “pilot.”
– If pilot light controls are sticky, do not apply force or use oil. …
– Press the red button while simultaneously holding a match to the pilot burner.
Also, Will gas shut off if pilot light goes out?
A pilot light is a small flame that is built into your gas heating appliances, such as a furnace or water heater. … If the pilot light goes out for any reason, the current stops, the valve closes, thus preventing any gas from leaking.
Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?
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.
What causes a pilot light to go out on a gas fireplace?
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. … The thermocouple is a metal rod that sticks out right in front of the pilot itself. It senses if flame is present or not.
What would cause a pilot light to go out?
Thermocouple Malfunction It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open. A thermocouple that is dirty or malfunctioning will often shut off your gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out and your furnace to stop working.
Should I turn off fireplace pilot light in summer?
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.
Is it OK to leave pilot light on gas fireplace?
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.
Why does my gas fireplace cycle on and off?
Often a gas fireplace has a millivolt generator which is in the path of the pilot flame. It is about the size of an AA battery and is wired to the switch and gas valve. If the millivolt generator is old and weak, or if the pilot flame is weak and wavering, the main burner will go on and off.
Is it dangerous if the pilot light goes out on stove?
If the pilot should go out, gas is immediately shut off to the main burner, however, there is still a small amount of gas that will continue to flow to pilot. All free standing pilots are approved by the American Gas Association. There is not enough leakage to create a hazard.
Is it safe to keep pilot light on gas fireplace?
Leaving the gas on keeps this compound moving out of the tubes. Keeping the pilot light on will also keep moisture out of the unit and in turn, help prevent corrosion. … 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.
When should I turn off the pilot on my gas fireplace?
Leaving the pilot on averages about $24 a month if you use propane! By simply turning off your pilot light during the summer or whenever you are not going to be using your fireplace for an extended period of time, such as vacations, you can save heat, money and reduce accidents or damage.
Is it OK to turn off pilot light?
Deciding to Turn it Off or Keep it On Turning off the pilot lights on gas fireplaces and furnaces when not in regular use can save energy and money. … 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.
Why would a pilot light go out on a gas fireplace?
When a pilot light goes out on a gas fireplace, there is cause for concern if the gas flow hasn’t been interrupted. … More commonly, a pilot light will go off because of a failure in the supply of gas. One thing to check is the gas valve on the fireplace and make sure it’s open.
Is it dangerous if the pilot light goes out on furnace?
Can a Pilot Light Outage Be Dangerous? 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.
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