Table of Contents
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a pilot light?
A pilot light should be a crisp blue colour. 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.
Is leaving a pilot light on dangerous?
When a pilot light burns for long periods of time (like during the summer) without igniting the main burner, a film can develop on the glass doors of the fireplace. This film is sulfur-based and if not cleaned off, it can permanently damage the glass.
Are pilot lights dangerous?
Is relighting a pilot light dangerous? Relighting a pilot light is potentially dangerous. If the flame blows out, the gas won’t stop coming in the pilot light tube and will continue to escape without igniting. As it continues to collect in your room, lighting it could set off an explosion.
Will gas shut 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.
Should I turn off my pilot light?
We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace’s pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”.
What color should my pilot light be?
The color of the pilot light should be blue because that means that only natural gas—without any other condensates—is reaching the pilot light through the gas main. The principal chemical compound found in natural gas is methane, and methane burns blue.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace?
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace? Most gas fireplaces rely on a “continuous pilot light,” a type of pilot that remains lit so long as gas is flowing to the unit. If you have a continuous pilot light system, you should always see a pilot flame unless you have manually turned the system off.
Are pilot lights always on?
The little flame you see in your gas fireplace after you have turned it off is called a pilot light. A Standing Pilot Light runs constantly, whether your fireplace is on or off. Most of today’s gas direct vent fireplaces have an innovation called intermittent pilot ignition.
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.
Can I relight the pilot light by myself?
If your pilot light goes out, your furnace will not be able to produce heat because its burners will not ignite. Often, homeowners can relight the pilot themselves.
When did stoves stop using pilot light?
ALBANY, June 8—Governor Carey signed into law today a ban on pilot lights in gas appliances sold after June 1, 1980, an action intended to avoid wasteful use of energy.
Is my pilot light too high?
If the flame is blue and weak, and barely reaches the thermocouple, it needs to be stronger. If it extends well above the thermocouple, it’s too strong. If the flame covers the top of the thermocouple and burns steadily with a yellow tip, that’s just about right.
What do you do when the pilot light goes out?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
How much does it cost to keep a pilot light on?
– Reduced energy costs 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.
How do I turn off the pilot light?
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.
What does the pilot light look like?
Inspecting a Gas Furnace Pilot Light Flame A natural gas flame should be a bright blue color with a small amount of yellow at the very tip. A propane flame will have more of a bluish-green flame with a tinge of yellow at the tip. The flame should strong enough to cover about 1/2 inch at the end of the thermocouple tip.
