Author Topic: How much propane does a gas pilot light use? (Read 1015 times)

MillCreek · « **on:** October 27, 2022, 06:28:21 PM »

We don't use the gas fireplace from March to November so I turn off the pilot light to save gas. I just relit the pilot since my wife wanted the fireplace on. So now I wonder: am I really saving enough gas and money to make it worth it to turn it off?

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2022, 06:33:33 PM »

https://welovefire.com/fireplaces/should-i-leave-my-pilot-light-on-year-round/

Sounds like it's about $5 a month you're saving.

Ben · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2022, 07:00:28 PM »

I just keep mine lit. There's 2-3 months, depending on annual climate where I likely won't turn the fireplace on at all, but for another 5 months, I like to have it on once in a while in the evening just for ambience and to take a little chill off the heat pump. For the other 4 months, I often use the gas fireplace (in the living room) to supplement the wood stove (in my reading room off the living room), again, to keep from having to feel the "cool heat" from the heat pump.

K Frame · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2022, 07:45:11 PM »

WHY DO YOU HATE THE MOTHER EARTH GODDESS, YOU SHITLORD WHITE BASTARD?

RocketMan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2022, 12:09:49 AM »

Quote from: K Frame on October 27, 2022, 07:45:11 PM

WHY DO YOU HATE THE MOTHER EARTH GODDESS, YOU SHITLORD WHITE BASTARD?

You just know you have made the big time when Mike calls you a shitlord.

K Frame · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2022, 08:24:48 AM »

Burning even a single dinosaur fossil makes you a horrible, horrible person.

K Frame · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2022, 08:28:28 AM »

To be honest, I'm really surprised that anything is being made with a standing pilot light these days.

A single AAA battery is more than enough to provide all the power needed for the gas valve on just about any gas fireplace insert or heating stove to which line power isn't available, and with pizoelectric ignition you don't need the pilot to ignite the main burners.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2022, 10:20:05 AM »

Some of us prefer the simplicity of a standing pilot. Electronic valve and piezo ignition means electrical connections and extra components. Not much, and certainly not complicated, but it's still extra foofery that can fail. Standing pilot means it works even when the power is out or the battery has leaked itself into a useless lump of goo.

Brad

charby · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2022, 10:21:13 AM »

My parents leave their pilot light on year round with their gas fireplace, if they didn't a birds or wasps will build a nest in the exhaust.

K Frame · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2022, 10:37:39 AM »

Quote from: Brad Johnson on October 28, 2022, 10:20:05 AM

Some of us prefer the simplicity of a standing pilot. Electronic valve and piezo ignition means electrical connections and extra components. Not much, and certainly not complicated, but it's still extra foofery that can fail. Standing pilot means it works even when the power is out or the battery has leaked itself into a useless lump of goo.

Brad

How many devices these days actually have a true manual flow gas valve, as opposed to a thermocouple-activated valve?

I thought manual flow gas valves for heating stoves or gas logs were illegal since the 1970s?

Having helped replace more than my fair share of thermocouples on water heaters and other gas devices... they're not exactly foolproof.

ConstitutionCowboy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2022, 11:02:45 AM »

Quote from: K Frame on October 28, 2022, 08:24:48 AM

Burning even a single dinosaur fossil makes you a horrible, horrible person.

OK, I'll bite. What's the difference between burning "fossil" fuel now compared to those dinosaurs having been cremated when that big meteor wiped them out millions of years ago?

I mean, common now! Look at all the methane farts that never happened once the dinosaurs died and couldn't produce any more gas!

We're good people. We burn all those preexisting farts cleanly now. Left to the dinosaurs, think how bad it would be today!

Woody

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2022, 11:15:14 AM »

Quote from: K Frame on October 28, 2022, 10:37:39 AM

Having helped replace more than my fair share of thermocouples on water heaters and other gas devices... they're not exactly foolproof.

I know, but it's still a simpler circuit than an electric ignitor and valve.

No idea on the manual valve thing. I put gas logs in my old house and it was full-on manual. No electric anything, nor standing pilot. Strike match, turn on valve. I didn't think about checking with local constabulary for illegalness.

Brad

K Frame · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2022, 11:22:08 AM »

Quote from: ConstitutionCowboy on October 28, 2022, 11:02:45 AM

OK, I'll bite. What's the difference between burning "fossil" fuel now compared to those dinosaurs having been cremated when that big meteor wiped them out millions of years ago?

I mean, common now! Look at all the methane farts that never happened once the dinosaurs died and couldn't produce any more gas!

We're good people. We burn all those preexisting farts cleanly now. Left to the dinosaurs, think how bad it would be today!

Woody

You obviously don't understand because you're busy suppressing POC votes!

Jim147 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2022, 02:08:38 PM »

Most of those have a thermopile. It creates it's own voltage when heated.

K Frame · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2022, 02:42:35 PM »

Quote from: Jim147 on October 28, 2022, 02:08:38 PM

Most of those have a thermopile. It creates it's own voltage when heated.

The same with a thermocouple, no?

The function is different between the two based on the amount of electrical energy they produce, but essentially both control the flow of gas in an appliance.