When did furnaces stop using pilot lights?

Why New Furnaces Don't Have Pilot Lights? Up till about 2010, most furnaces came with pilot lights. After 2010, the trend shifted to electronic ignition systems (intermittent pilots or hot surface pilots).

Do furnaces still have pilot lights?

A pilot light is the small blue flame that ignites the burner in your furnace. Most newer furnaces have electric starters, rather than pilot lights, but they're common in older systems.

Do all propane furnaces have a pilot light?

Most older propane gas furnaces (and some new ones) are ignited with a pilot light (many newer models use an electronic ignition for better efficiency). One of the main reasons your furnace stops working is because that pilot light goes out.

Should the pilot light always be on in a gas furnace?

Should The Pilot Light Always Be On In A Gas Furnace? Yes, if the furnace is in operation, the pilot light will need to be on for it to be functional. However, some homeowners turn off their furnace's pilot light in the warmer seasons when the gas furnaces aren't in use.

Does gas still flow when pilot light goes out?

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard and requiring immediate repair.

TOP 10 Reasons Why the Gas Pilot Light Goes Out & Won't Stay Lit!



Does turning off pilot light save gas?

As the weather gets warmer, you will be using your gas fireplace less and less. 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.

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.

Should I turn off furnace pilot in summer?

It's a good idea to turn off your furnace during hot months. If left on, it will continue to consume energy. The furnace contains some electrical components like sensors that can needlessly draw power throughout the summer. If your furnace has a pilot light, it will use up unnecessary gas during summer when left on.

What does a pilot light look like on a furnace?

Inspecting a Gas Furnace Pilot Light Flame

The first thing to check is the color of the 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.

Does central heating have a pilot light?

There is no pilot light to go out on a central gas heater -- and no chance of gas escaping into the room -- which also means you cannot ignite the burner manually. From time-to-time, the gas heater may require restarting to engage the igniter and burners. The process is easy and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Does my Rheem furnace have a pilot light?

You can find the pilot light near the bottom of your furnace. If it is turned on, turn the gas control setting to "off." See to it that the pilot light goes out.

Does a pilot light give off heat?

A little heat is produced when your pilot light is on so turning it off in summer can help reduce the heat inside your home. The less heat there is, the less you have to use your air conditioner needs to cool down the house. You can get savings and conserve energy if you turn off your pilot light.

Can you manually light a gas furnace with electronic ignition?

If your furnace is equipped with an electronic igniter, you cannot light the furnace manually. However, you may be able to get the furnace working by turning off the igniter and resetting it. Find the paperwork for your particular furnace to locate the reset button or switch.

Do new furnaces have thermocouples?

A thermocouple is typically found in older furnaces, whereas new installations are now required to use electronic ignition furnaces, which use less energy since there is no pilot that burns gas constantly.

Do all gas furnaces have a flame sensor?

Not all furnaces have a flame sensor, but if your furnace has one, it will be mounted close to the burner with the metal rod positioned in the flame. Flame sensors vary in size (2 to 4 inches) and shape (see examples below).

How much does it cost to keep pilot light on?

A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit to provide a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on when needed. The average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light is: Natural gas is $0.60 a day = $219 a year. Liquid Propane is $1.80 a day = $657 a year.

Will AC work if furnace is off?

However, they still operate independently of each other. Does the furnace need to be on for the AC to work? No! Your air conditioner should run on its own, even when the furnace is off.

Is it OK to turn off gas to furnace?

To uphold safety, you can turn off the gas supply to the furnace. But be careful not to turn off the gas supply to the rest of the house. You'll still need it for cooking, cleaning, heating water, and other activities in summer. It is also advisable to schedule an inspection of your home's safety systems.

What do I do if pilot light goes out?

If possible, shut off the main gas supply valve by turning it clockwise (to the right). Once at a safe distance, report the potential gas leak to your propane dealer or 911. Do not return to the building until a qualified service technician or EMT says that the building and gas system are safe.

What causes a pilot light to go out?

Improper Venting & Airflow

Sometimes a pilot light can go out as a result of some source of wind or air simply blowing it out. If this happens, there could be an issue with how your flue pipe is set up or how your system is venting.

How much gas does a pilot light use in a month?

We have calculated that a standard pilot light uses 416.88 cubic feet of natural gas or 4.723 gallons of propane per month.

Does a pilot light use much gas?

Just how much gas does a pilot light consume? Most pilot lights will consume about 600 BTU's of gas/hour. With 24 hours in a day, that's roughly 14,400/BTU's each day. Figuring 30 days, a pilot light will use approximately 432,000 BTU each month.

Is it OK to leave pilot light on gas fireplace overnight?

It's not safe to leave it on. Why Isn't It Safe? The biggest reason is that gas fireplaces can release deadly carbon monoxide gas, which is odourless and can go unnoticed until a person dies from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is best to not leave your fireplace on for more than three hours at a time.