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Posted: March 7, 2022
If you have an older gas furnace, your heating unit relies on a small blue flame known as a pilot light to ensure the ignition of the burners. Water heaters, gas fireplaces and old gas stoves often have similar pilot lights. If your furnace has a round knob on the gas valve with the words OFF/ON/PILOT/, you have what’s known as a standing pilot ignition.
As you probably know from experience, the biggest drawback to pilot lights is that they will get extinguished at times, causing you to lose your heat. Common reasons include a nearby draft, dirt buildup, or a malfunctioning thermocouple.
Another pilot light drawback is energy waste. Since the pilot light needs to remain active, your furnace is always consuming some gas. It’s not a lot—usually just a few therms of gas a month–but that obviously adds up over time.
There is a safety issue as well. Pilot lights can develop problems that cause them to burn inefficiently. When this happens, a small amount of carbon monoxide can be released into your home.
All of these problems are not an issue when you have a modern gas furnace, which uses electronic ignition instead of an old-fashioned pilot light.
Most furnaces with electronic ignition have a device called a hot surface igniter. This is a small electronic device that receives an electrical current whenever your thermostat calls for heat. The ignition heats up to a temperature that is hot enough to ignite the gas to your burners, and then it shuts off after it has done its job.
Another type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot light. This uses a small flame to ignite the burners just like a conventional pilot light. The difference is that the flame is only lit (by an electronic spark) when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. When the pilot light is not needed, it is completely off, saving you money on gas.
If you would like to read more about furnaces, please go here. And if you would like to explore your options in new gas furnaces further, please ask us for a free estimate.
Contact Wilson Oil and Propane to learn more about propane and our other services. We have an expert team of technicians who can take care of propane appliance installation and maintenance in our Delaware Valley service area. You can read more about propane by going here.
Founded in 1926, Wilson Oil and Propane strives to provide excellent service to our customers every single day. In addition to prompt, professional expert HVAC services, heating oil and propane delivery, we offer our customers many ways to lower their energy costs and enhance their comfort. Become a customer today!
