I live in an older apartment building and I have a gas stove and a gas furnace, does the pilot light always stay on in the stove and furnace? Is this safe?
2006-11-26 16:19:56 · 8 answers · asked by heather 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yes, the pilot light is always on and Yes it is safe.
In fact, it's when the pilot light goes OUT that you are in danger.
With a gas stove and furnace, the gas is never completely shut off. Natural gas is considered to be too dangerous for people to turn on, then light by themselves. I'm sure you have seen a lot of the old time cartoons where someone will turn on the gas stove, and the cartoon hero (Sylveter the Cat, Bugs Bunny, or whomever) will blow out the match before the stove can be lit. The gas builds up so much that when a match is finally lit, there is a massive explosion.
The cartoon characters can't get hurt, but you can.
Leaving the pilot light on all the time also makes it easier when you want to turn the heat on, or use the stove. You will have the flame already available, all you need to do is turn the thermostat up, or turn the stove knob to where you want it.
If you smell natural gas in your home (smells kinda like rotten eggs), first open all your windows, then look to see if the pilot light is on in your stove. If it is, or if you can't see it, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE FIRST. Then call either your landlord or the gas company for help.
Do not use your house phone or a cell phone inside the house if you smell gas. The electricity from the phone, or from turning the tv or lights on or off could create a miniscule spark that would be just enough to ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
As long as your pilot lights are burning strong and steady all is well.
2006-11-26 16:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by devil_bunny_99 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. The gas stove has a pilot that stays lit.
When and if they upgrade with a newer model, the range will probably have an electric starter on it.
The furnace too will have a constantly burning pilot.
Safe, sure. The gas will not flow if the pilot is out.
2006-11-27 00:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Gnome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how old the appliances are. Most modern stoves and water heaters are built with ignitions. Which have done away with the pilot light altogether. One way to tell if your appliance has an ignition, is to listen. If you turn a burner to the on position on your stove, do you hear a clicking noise that repeats until the burner is lit? Same goes for the water heater. When the internal thermostat detects that the water has cooled to a level pre-set by the manufacturer, you will hear this same clicking as the burner is being lit. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
MCPO West USN (Ret.)
2006-11-27 00:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by Gino 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Newer models have pilots that come on when needed. Older ones don't. There's that spot at the back of the stovetop that always stays hot. Yes, it is safe as another reader stated. As with any gas appliances, carbon monoxide detectors are a must. And smoke detectors are the law in my area. Don't worry.
2006-11-27 00:25:29 · answer #4 · answered by steviewag 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes both are always on, you may want to put out the pilot light in the furnance when summer comes around
2006-11-27 02:07:48 · answer #5 · answered by rich b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nowadays electronic ignition does away with standing pilots, which waste gas.
yes they are relatively safe.
2006-11-27 03:02:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and yes
2006-11-27 00:21:57 · answer #7 · answered by Dark Knight 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
THE ANSWER IS YES TO BOTH..........
2006-11-27 00:25:04 · answer #8 · answered by avery 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋