If you're searching to save a little cash this summer or just would like to maintain your lifestyle room from obtaining too stuffy, you should know how to turn off pilot light on gas fireplace units without having making a huge manufacturing from it. Most people don't realize that the standing pilot light—that tiny, flickering azure flame that remains on 24/7—actually produces a surprising amount of heat and consumes a decent chunk of gas over a few months.
Precisely why You May want to Kill the Flame
For most of us, the fireplace is the heart of the house during those getting stuck January nights. But once May progresses around as well as the sunlight starts sticking around past 6: 00 PM, that additional heat isn't specifically doing you any kind of favors. A standing pilot light is definitely basically a small heater that never ever quits. It's not going to fixed your curtains on fire, but it will surely raise the particular temperature of the glass and the surrounding mantle just enough to make your AC work a small harder.
Beyond the temperature, there's the cost. Based on your regional gas rates, keeping that little fire going year-round may set you back anywhere from $5 to $15 a month. That doesn't sound such as much until you realize you're paying out for heat a person don't want. Over a few years, that's a couple of nice meals or perhaps a new set of shoes literally going up within smoke.
Locating the Controls
Before you may actually turn off pilot light on gas fireplace setups, you've got to discover the handle center. It's generally hidden behind the decorative metal grate or a "louvre" at the base of the fireplace. Most of these types of just pull off or hinge down. Don't be amazed if it's a bit dusty lower there—that's totally normal.
Once you've got the panel open, you'll view a bunch of cables along with a control control device. Search for a plastic knob which has three markings: ON, PILOT, and OFF . This is your command center.
Identifying Your System Type
It's worth observing that not every gas fireplace offers a standing pilot light. For those who have a newer model, it might use what's known as an IPI (Intermittent Pilot Ignition). These systems only spark the pilot whenever you actually flip the particular wall switch or even hit the remote control. If you appear into your fireplace and don't see a flame, you probably have one of these. If so, you don't need to do a thing! You're already saving money.
However, if a person see that constant blue glow, you do have a "standing pilot. " This is the particular one we're talking about turning off for the period.
The Step by step Process
Okay, let's get lower to business. In case you're prepared to shut it down, here is the easiest way to accomplish.
- Locate the particular Knob: As mentioned, find that control valve behind the bottom display.
- Push and Turn: Generally, the knob is usually designed therefore you can't just accidentally obstruct it and turn the gas off. You'll likely need to push the knob in slightly while turning it clockwise.
- Align with "OFF": Move the dial till the word OFF aligns with the particular indicator mark on the valve body.
- View the Flame: Look back in the pilot set up within the fireplace. Within a couple of seconds, that little blue flame need to shrink and vanish.
- Shut the Major Gas Valve (Optional): A few people like in order to go the extra mile and turn the manual gas shut-off valve too. This is usually a small handle on the gas line nearby. Turning it so it's perpendicular to the pipe ensures no gas is moving towards the unit at all.
The particular Surprising Advantages of Switching It Off
Aside from the lower utility costs, there are some other perks to giving your own fireplace a summertime vacation. One of the biggest types could be the "white film" issue. Have you ever noticed a hazy, white residue on the inside of the fireplace glass? That's often caused by the constant combustion of the pilot light over several weeks and months. Simply by turning it off, you stop that will buildup, which means you won't have to scrub the particular glass as often.
Also, think it or not, spiders are the factor. There's some thing about the smell of the mercaptan (the stuff they enhance gas in order to make it scent like sulfur) that will attracts certain sorts of spiders. They love to crawl into the pilot tubing plus spin webs. If you leave the particular pilot on just about all summer, they might stay away because associated with the heat, yet if the pilot is off, these people might move in. In fact, this is the common argument for keeping this on, but the quick blast associated with compressed air in the fall usually fixes any spider-related clogs anyway.
When Should You Leave It On?
It's not all one-sided, though. There are in fact some valid reasons why someone may choose not to turn off pilot light on gas fireplace units throughout the winter.
In the event that you live within an extremely humid weather or have a basement fireplace that gets damp, the warmth from a pilot light can in fact be beneficial. That will tiny bit of warmness keeps the firebox dry and helps prevent moisture from rusting the metal components or creating the musty smell. In the event that you find that your house gets damp during the summer, making the pilot on might actually save you money on maintenance in the lengthy run.
Another reason to leave this on is just convenience. Some older fireplaces can become a real discomfort to relight. Once you know that your pilot light is finicky or that you'll find it difficult to get this going again in October, you might decide that the $10 a month will be worth deficiency of disappointment.
Common Misconceptions and Safety Concerns
A lot of people be concerned that turning the particular pilot off will lead to a gas leak. It's actually the opposite. These systems are designed with a "thermocouple" or the "thermopile. " This is a basic safety device that senses heat. If the flame goes away, the sensor lowers down and signals the valve to shut off the particular gas flow totally. It's a fail-safe system which has been close to for decades.
If you actually smell a "rotten egg" odor near your fireplace, that's when you must be concerned. If that occurs, don't worry regarding the pilot light—just get out of the house and call the gas company. But if you're simply turning the button to "OFF, " you're perfectly safe.
Getting Ready for Winter
Once the first frost hits and you're ready to get warm again, relighting the pilot is generally just the reverse of the shutdown process. You'll turn the knob to PILOT , push it into start the particular gas flow, and hit the igniter button (usually a red or dark button that clicks). You need to hold this for about 30 seconds to let the sensor warm-up just before you can turn the knob to ON .
If it doesn't light right away, don't panic. If the particular gas has already been off all summer season, there might end up being some air within the line. It might take the minute or two of holding the particular knob down intended for the gas in order to reach the pilot burner.
Wrapping It Upward
At the particular end of the particular day, deciding to turn off pilot light on gas fireplace writers is a private choice based on your home's needs. In order to save the little money and keep your house cooler, go ahead and shut this down. If you're worried about bots or moisture, keep it burning.
Either method, it's a simple item of home maintenance that puts you in control associated with your energy usage. It takes most of two moments to do, and your wallet (and your air conditioner) will probably thank you regarding it. Keep in mind to keep that cup clean and enjoy the extra few bucks you'll save while the sun is out!