Stop Wasting Money on Pilot Lights!

Up until recently, pilot lights were used on almost all of your gas appliances. There were found on furnaces, water heaters, many fireplaces, stoves, ovens and pool heaters. Recently more manufacturers are moving towards direct ignition, but they aren't totally gone. In fact, most fireplaces still have a pilot light as the standard option. Not to mention base model pool heaters and some water heaters.

So quickly, let's talk about the difference between a pilot light system and direct ignition. With a pilot light, your appliance lets out a trickle of gas 24/7. Just enough to keep a tiny flame lit. When your appliance turns on, the flood gates open and tons of gas starts coming out, turning the little flame into 1 or many big flames. Whether it is your hot water heater, furnace, fire place or stove, it's all about the same. And as soon as the appliance turns off, all of the gas turns off except for that small trickle that keeps the pilot light running.

With direct ignition on the other hand, the gas stays completely, 100% off until the appliance needs to turn on. At that time, an electronic spark is created (or many sparks which is why it sounds like rapid clicking) that lights the gas that comes out. When the appliance turns off, so does all of the gas.



Now to the interesting part...How much do you think that little tiny pilot light costs you in gas each month? Give up??? Estimates show that a pilot light uses 5 to 12 therms per month. Even at the low low rates of $0.75 per therm, you're paying $3.75 - $9.00 per month + tax on something that gives you 0 benefit. That's $45-$108 per year + taxes and fees! Meanwhile, when I bought my fireplace last year, it came with a pilot light standard. I asked how much more it would be to upgrade to direct ignition. The cost was only $250 to upgrade. That'll pay for itself in 3-5 years. Less if/when gas prices go up. So why doesn't everyone insist that their appliances be direct ignition?

My answer is builders...Builders put the cheapest products in houses that they are building because they don't have to live in them. They know that the average home buyer won't notice whether a fireplace has a pilot light or not, what SEER the A/C is and how many gallons the hot water heater is. And they won't pay any extra for a house with these features. Home buyers would rather see nice hardwood floors, trim and big windows and could care less about the "behind the scenes" things. But meanwhile, the house is built to sell, but not built to be lived in.

If you are looking to build, definitely spend time researching your products. It's not worth it to save a few hundred dollars on the front end and then pay it back (and then some) on lost efficiency.

If you are stuck with the pilot lights, look at turning them off during months when you know they won't be used (like pool heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces that only get used for a few months per year). Once you get the hang of it, it only takes a minute or 2 to re-light them at the beginning on the season. Also, see if it is possible to adjust the size of the flame. If so you may want to see how low you can turn it down without it going out accidentally.

Good luck!