Electric Gas Fireplace Pilot Light

Most gas fireplaces have a standing pilot light which is a small flame that burns even when you aren t using the fireplace.

Electric gas fireplace pilot light.

Mercaptan is a chemical gas companies add to the gas which gives it a pleasant odor. If the on switch is left on for more than 60 seconds and the pilot does not light the fireplace will go into lock out mode. Because that system does not use external electricity the fireplace works if the power goes out. Even without a fire going a standing pilot light uses a minor amount of fuel.

Newer generations of gas fireplaces use an electronic ignition system requiring electricity to start up. When you turn the pilot light off the pilot tubes of your fireplace still contain trace amounts of gas molecules. Knowing how to turn off a gas fireplace valve can reduce your gas bill. When the gas fireplace pilot light goes out make sure that your pilot head is screwed or clipped to the burner pan.

Your fireplace should have a mode where a pilot light stays lit continuously and the switch only switches the flame from the gas log burner. Spiders also like the smell and they tend to build webs in the burner tubes and the pilot when the gas is turned off. This makes the fireplace easy to start when it s cold outside but when it warms up it s a good idea to shut off the pilot to conserve gas. If the fireplace has a control panel turn the control knob to off.

If this is the case a standard line voltage thermostat can be substituted for the switch. If it s too close to the burner you ll burn it out. On the other hand placing it too far away will cause a large poof of a flame whenever you want to turn it on. Don t worry heat glo provides helpful step by step directions for relighting your pilot light.

If the pilot does not light within 45 seconds turn the on off switch back to the off position and wait 15 seconds. Repeat this step as necessary until the pilot ignites. Gas fireplaces have traditionally used a standing pilot light to ignite the flames.