Should a person turn off the gas to the furnace in the summer?

Question

I've heard it can cause problems trying to re-light it in the fall but it really doesn't make sence to me. It takes gas to keep the pilot light going and in turn that builds up some heat. Is it a good idea to turn of the gas shutoff or not? Also, wouldn't that help conserve gas (even a small amount)?

Answer 1

There's a good reason to turn the pilot light off in the summer.  The products of combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide and water.  The water comes off as steam but quickly condenses into liquid water in the cool flue of your furnace.  This moisture buildup promotes rusting in the flue and internal furnace parts.  In winter, when the main burner operates, the heat evaporates the moisture and it is exhausted to the outside.

Answer 2

The heat from your pilot will on some furnaces prevent summer time condensation on the heat exchanger that in turn cause's rust that in turn shortens the life of the furnace. How ever if you live in a dry area yup shut it off.

Answer 3

Not unless you know how to turn it back on...properly.

The amount of gas used to keep a pilot light is dismal.

Answer 4

yes, you should. It's much better for the ozone layer than using an air conditioner

Answer 5

go for it. you'll save a couple bucks, on the gas, but the heat isnt a big deal.

Answer 6

Why turn it off? I live in a cold climate, but turn the heat off in summer. Besides turning the valve off usually constutes the gas company coming out to turn it back on, or so I've heard.  I don't know what gas prices are like in your neck of the woods, but my average over the 3 month summer is $7 a month.

Answer 7

I doubt it would cause problems...It wouldn't hurt, because there may be a leak, so yes, it probably would help conserve gas. Thank you for being consciencious! (sp?)

Answer 8

it isn't DISMAL. maybe she meant minimal.

Answer 9

Here is an article that cites the advantages of turning off the pilot light.

It states that a pilot light will burn 1,000 btus per hour and I have seen that statement in other articles.  A cubic foot of gas is equal to 1,000,000 btus, so that would be 1,000 hours or 42 days per cubic foot.  Based on your local gas cost, you can determine the dollars (more likely cents) it will save.

I think that the cost of replacing a thermocouple that burned out would be more than the gas savings.

But, if each household saved 3 cubic feet of gas per year times the number of households in the country, we could be talking some interesting numbers.

And the cost to shut off the pilot valve is "nothing", so can't image why not do it.

Answer 10

It's a pretty small difference.  But you can avoid the decision.

The next time you have to buy a furnace, get an energy efficient one.  It will save large amounts of energy.  

As a bonus the issue will go away.  Electronic ignition has replaced the old fashioned pilot light.

Answer 11

Relighting a burner can be a simple thing or a disaster, but it is not rocket science.   It is important that you be sure to completely shut off the gas line to the pilot or you may have an unnatural disaster on your hands.

I like my new furnace with electronic ignition.  It doesn't use a pilot and that seems like progress to me.

Answer 12

I always turn of the pilot during the summer.  In 20+yrs never had a problem relighting the pilot.  

Do you save a huge amount on gas?  Probably not but even if it is not alot it is still wasteful just to leave it on if you don't use it.