I have an older gas furnace with a pilot light. In the summer, when it doesn't need to be used, should I turn off the pilot light or leave it on year-round? Thanks.
2006-12-17 04:44:58 · 11 answers · asked by jason b 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You can turn it off. The pilot light is used to keep a device known as a thermocouple hot--which allows the fan to blow whenever the thermostat is raised. But you can simply turn the knob to full off and leave it that way until fall. Be sure you know how to restart it before you shut it off!
2006-12-17 04:47:55 · answer #1 · answered by Peter 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have a brand new furnace, so it's not cold right now. I turned it to off and left the pilot light on since it is winter, so why redo everything again in a few more days.
2014-11-21 02:06:23 · answer #2 · answered by Willie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good responses, very knowledgable.
One thing I notice when I turn the pilot off to both hot water heater and gas house heater in the summer is that the gas bill really falls. It sounds dumb but I didn't realize how much gas the pilot uses, as opposed to the additional amount used to heat the water or the air.
;-)
2006-12-17 05:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by WikiJo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've got been installation and repairing those issues for the final 35 years, and the extra present day, (4-5 years previous), gadgets with the sealed pilot factors are a real discomfort. The piezo igniters do at times pass undesirable, yet as Ed mentioned, they do no longer consistently spark on each and every push and that they are relatively no longer ordinary to work out once you are able to desire to bend over so far to look via that little window. i could attempt it back, making specific to stick to the lights technique intently and in case you basically won't be able to get it to lite, Dean is authentic. you are able to take the metallic plate with the window off the tank and lite it manually. i take advantage of a butane tournament, like those you employ to lite a BBQ. they have a reliable long attain and regularly a reliable flame which will lite the hollow area and assist you to work out the place the pilot is. as quickly as you have the pilot relit, reinstall the plate before turning the main substantial valve on and the thermostat up. The producer of this unit won't deliver somebody out to repair it decrease than guarantee for this variety of small element. What they'll do is to deliver you a ingredient and you will could desire to discover somebody to place in it. And ultimately, for the two between the Joe's, you adult adult males could desire to in all probability take extra time to study the question before answering. They very it seems that mentioned that they grew to become off the pilot to be secure around the epoxy paint they have been utilising. that's no longer a warrantiable undertaking.
2016-10-05 10:25:08 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if this is relevant in your case... I'm not particularly knowlegable about furnaces.
We have a gas fireplace, with a direct vent out the back. I was told by our builder to leave the pilot on to prevent insects and other critters from nesting in that vent.
(In the summer, I turned off the pilot and covered the vent thoroughly.)
..Just a thought.
2006-12-17 04:48:26 · answer #5 · answered by so far north 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Turn it off - it's a waste of money to keep it burning energy when not in use.
However, many leave it on as they are uncomfortable with the necessity of turning it off and then relighting it when needed.
There is also the possibility of the pilot light nozzle accumulating dust and dirt during this off season.
If you are comfortable with cleaning nozzle and relighting it when the season calls of it, then Turn It OFF.
Actually, many of the residential gas companies will actually turn it on for you -- for free. At least they used to. You might check with them.
2006-12-20 07:54:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I left the pilot light on in my old furnace, i dont think it makes much difference...the new furnace has one of those clickers so there is no pilot
2006-12-17 04:49:00 · answer #7 · answered by AA 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
turn it off, but when it comes time to turn it on, it's always best to have someone come in and check out the furnace before lighting it.
2006-12-17 04:53:41 · answer #8 · answered by nobody 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How is your gas furnace
2006-12-17 04:52:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
leave it on year round unless your going to be gone the whole summer then put it out
2006-12-17 04:47:29 · answer #10 · answered by cwb63ss 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋