The pilot position on a gas fireplace is the position on the fireplace controls that is used to start the pilot flame. The pilot position is typically set on the control dial with either the dial depressed and turned, or used with a separate spark button to light the pilot flame.
How do you know if you have a standing pilot light?
Inspecting the Pilot Light Flame
A bluish-green flame can also result from rust or dirt. To inspect the operation of the standing pilot light. Remove the furnace cover panel, which should expose the burner assembly and pilot. You should be able to see the flame of the pilot light.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace?
Electronic ignition is when the pilot light on a gas fireplace/insert/stove is only running when the fireplace is on, this means that the unit is likely to have a battery backup as well. A standing pilot is always on, always using a small amount of gas to run constantly unless the gas is physically turned off.
What is a standing pilot light?
The standing pilot light is the traditional ignition source for most natural gas-fueled combustion heating systems. It is comprised of a small burner, a gas valve to supply the burner, and a thermocouple.
What color should a gas fireplace 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.
How big should a pilot light be on a gas fireplace?
A pilot flame should be blue with a yellow tip and strong enough to cover 1/2 inch at the end of the thermocouple tip. If the flame is too strong and adjusted wrong, it will be noisy and cause improper furnace operation.
How does a standing pilot fireplace work?
With a standing pilot system, the gas fireplace appliance uses a thermocouple and thermopile; the pilot flame remains in contact with the thermocouple or thermoplie to keep it hot, as this heat causes them to generate a small amount of electric current, keeping the gas valve open and ready to light the appliance flame
Will gas leak if pilot light is off?
When the pilot light goes out, it does not leak carbon monoxide gas. However, if the light goes out frequently there could be other issues.
How much does it cost to keep the pilot light on a gas fireplace?
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. Sophisticated fireplace manufactures like Travis Industries have developed Intermittent pilot light systems.
How big should my pilot light be?
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.
What are the two types of pilot lights?
There are two types of electronic ignition, intermittent pilot and hot surface ignition. An intermittent pilot system generates a high voltage electrical spark whenever the thermostat calls for heat. This spark ignites a gas pilot, which then works just like the standing pilot light did.
Do gas fireplaces burn a lot of gas?
Based on the currently available models, gas log sets burn anywhere from 60,000 – 90,000 BTUs of gas per hour. On the other hand, the more efficient gas fireplaces use 10,000 – 70,000 BTUs/hour. In comparison, the average furnace requires around double the amount of gas.
