I just moved into a newly built house with a Natural Gas fireplace and the builders left the pilot light on?

Question

Since its summer here, should I turn the pilot light off ?

Someone said I should leave it on for a couple of days at the beginning, but I'm not sure why ?

Answer 1

it stays on if you turn it off make sure the gas valve is off also you will smell gas

Answer 2

Many recommend just leaving it on all year. My builder did. The argument is that dust, spider webs or what ever will build up over the summer and then require a maintenance call back in the fall. I don't think it uses much energy and doesn't put out any perceptible heat.

I have turned mine off during summer but quite frankly haven't thought about it this year nor last year.

Answer 3

Can`t disagree with the answers so far.

To turn it off is more trouble than it`s worth, You would only save a tiny bit of energy.

Answer 4

Leaving the pilot light burn, will keep moisture out of your burners, and will stop any rust from forming: rust that might eventually clog burner ports. The miniscule amount of natural gas used won't cost very much, and could keep other problems from occuring.

Answer 5

Leaving it on will cost $6-$10 per month. It will keep the unit free from dust and moisture, but honestly I tell people if they want to turn it off to go ahead. They're really not hard to re-light.

Answer 6

no big deal to let it run. it doesnt use hardly any gas. also when you need it you don;t want to have to waste time relighting the pilot

Answer 7

it should always run...if you turn out the pilot light, you may have a h**l of a job relighting that bad boy...

it uses next to no gas anyway...so don't mess