Why You Should Turn Off Your Gas Fireplace Pilot Light | Butler Plumbing

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Why You Should Turn the Pilot Light Off on Your Gas Fireplace

Save Energy and Money – Don’t Leave Your Pilot Light Always On

As the weather gets warmer, you will be using your gas fireplace less and less. Turning off your gas fireplace seasonally can save you a substantial amount of energy and money.

Gas fireplaces bring coziness and charm to homes, but safety should always be the top priority. A key element of gas fireplace safety lies in understanding how to correctly turn off the pilot light.

It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”. The best way to determine if you have this type of gas fireplace is to look at the control knob of the fireplace. On a fireplace you will normally find the control knob behind the grate or door.

Once you find this knob, you can determine what type of pilot light you have if there is a “pilot” position written on the knob (usually written between on and off). So, if you see the word “pilot” written on the knob, you know that you have a “standing” or “always on” pilot light.

How to Turn Off Pilot Light on a Gas Fireplace

Before you turn the switch to “off”, you should find where the pilot light is located. Knowing where the flame is located will be helpful in double-checking that it has actually been turned off.
The flame may be located in the back or behind some of your logs. If you cannot find the flame, it may already be out.
Once you have located the flame, you can move the knob from the “pilot” position to the “off” position. Depending on your model of fireplace, you may be required to push a little lever out of the way before you can turn the dial. Alternatively, you may be required to push the knob in, and then turn it to the “off” position – double-check your owner’s manual just to be sure.
Once you have turned the dial to the “off” position, check to see if the flame has gone out. If your flame is still on, you may have a faulty valve that will need to be replaced.

If at any time you are unsure of what to do, or you would feel more confident with the help of a professional, give Butler Plumbing a call at 780-432-3947. We are Gasfitting experts and can help you to troubleshoot or answer any questions you may have regarding your fireplace repairs.

How to Relight the Pilot Light in Gas Fireplace

Relighting the pilot light in your gas fireplace is a manageable task with a few simple steps. Follow these essential steps to reignite the pilot light to swiftly restore the comforting glow of your fireplace:

To start the gas fireplace, begin by turning the knob from the “Off” to the “Pilot” position.
Then, push in the pilot knob to manually introduce gas into the system.
Press the igniter button at one-second intervals until the flame ignites. Keep in mind that depending on the duration since the gas fireplace was last used, it might require multiple attempts for successful ignition.

And lastly, don’t forget to schedule annual inspections with one of Butler Plumbing, Heating and Gasfitting’s professional technicians. Regular maintenance not only ensures the safety of your gas fireplace and home, but also enhances its efficiency and lifespan.

We will always schedule a convenient time that works for you.

Please contact us to get a quote on your plumbing repairs.

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