Yes, you can leave the pilot light on, but whether you should depends on your fireplace type and how often you use it

Most gas fireplaces are designed to run with the pilot light on continuously during the heating season. The pilot—that small, steady flame you see inside the firebox—stays lit all the time, and you ignite the main burner by turning a knob or flipping a switch. This is the normal operating mode for traditional standing pilot systems, and manufacturers expect them to work this way.

However, newer fireplaces often have electronic ignition systems instead of standing pilots. These systems light the main burner on demand without keeping a pilot flame burning constantly. If your fireplace has electronic ignition, you do not need to leave a pilot light on at all—the system will light itself when you want heat.

The decision to leave a standing pilot on year-round comes down to three factors: safety, cost, and convenience. Understanding each one helps you choose what makes sense for your home and your fireplace.

Key Takeaways

  • Standing pilot fireplaces are designed to run with the pilot light on continuously during heating season, and this is the safest way to operate them.
  • Electronic ignition fireplaces do not need a pilot light on at all—they light the burner on demand, which saves gas and is the default mode.
  • Leaving a standing pilot on costs roughly $10 to $20 per month in natural gas, depending on your utility rates and whether you have a thermostat controlling it.
  • Turning a standing pilot off in summer saves money but requires you to relight it in fall, and you risk carbon monoxide buildup if the pilot does not relight properly.
  • If your fireplace has a thermostat, it automatically cycles the pilot on and off based on room temperature, which balances cost and convenience.

How standing pilot systems are designed to work

A standing pilot is a small flame that burns continuously inside your fireplace, fed by a steady trickle of gas. The pilot heats a thermocouple—a heat-sensitive device that tells the gas valve it is safe to deliver fuel. When you turn the fireplace on, the main burner ignites from the pilot flame. When you turn it off, the main burner shuts down but the pilot stays lit, waiting for the next time you need heat.

This design has been the standard for decades because it is reliable and requires no electricity to ignite the main burner. The downside is that the pilot uses gas continuously, even when you are not using the fireplace. Manufacturers assume you will leave the pilot on during the months you might want heat, then turn it off in summer to save money.

The pilot flame is small—typically the size of a match tip—so the gas consumption is modest. But over weeks and months, it adds up. Many homeowners leave the pilot on year-round out of habit or convenience, accepting the extra cost in exchange for not having to relight it each season.

The cost of running a standing pilot continuously

A standing pilot uses roughly 400 to 600 BTU per hour, depending on the fireplace model and how the pilot is adjusted. To translate that into dollars, you need to know your natural gas rate, which varies widely by region and utility company. In most of the United States, natural gas costs between $0.80 and $1.50 per therm (100,000 BTU), but this fluctuates with market prices and season.

At an average rate of $1.00 per therm, a standing pilot running 24 hours a day costs roughly $3 to $4 per month, or $36 to $48 per year if left on continuously. However, if you run the pilot only during the heating season—say, October through April—the cost drops to roughly $18 to $24 per year. The difference between leaving it on year-round and turning it off in summer is real but modest.

If your fireplace has a thermostat that cycles the pilot on and off based on room temperature, the cost is even lower because the pilot does not run when the house is warm. Check your utility bill or contact your gas company to find your exact rate, then multiply your pilot's BTU rating by the hours it runs and your rate per therm to get a precise number.

Safety considerations for standing pilots

The main safety concern with standing pilots is carbon monoxide (CO) buildup if the pilot goes out and you do not notice. When a pilot light extinguishes—due to a draft, a clogged burner, or a faulty thermocouple—unburned gas can accumulate in the firebox and vent into your home. If you then try to relight the fireplace without clearing the gas first, you risk a small explosion or CO poisoning.

For this reason, if your standing pilot goes out, you should not attempt to relight it yourself without reading the manufacturer's instructions. Most fireplaces have a purge procedure: you turn the gas valve to "off," wait several minutes for gas to clear, then follow the lighting steps. If the pilot will not stay lit after two or three attempts, stop and call a service technician. A pilot that keeps going out usually signals a thermocouple problem or a gas valve issue that requires professional repair.

Leaving the pilot on continuously actually reduces this risk because the flame is always present and the system is operating as designed. The danger comes from turning the pilot off and on repeatedly, or from a pilot that extinguishes unexpectedly. If you choose to turn off your standing pilot in summer, do it once and leave it off until fall, rather than cycling it on and off frequently.

Electronic ignition fireplaces do not need a standing pilot

If your fireplace has an electronic ignition system, you have no standing pilot to worry about. These systems use a spark or hot surface igniter to light the main burner when you set up the fireplace, then shut everything down when you turn it off. The burner does not stay lit between uses.

Electronic ignition fireplaces are more efficient because they use gas only when the fireplace is actually running. They also do not require a thermocouple or a continuous pilot flame, so there is no risk of a standing pilot going out. The trade-off is that electronic systems depend on electricity—if your power goes out, you cannot light the fireplace manually without a backup battery or a manual override valve.

Check your fireplace manual or look inside the firebox: if you see a small, steady flame at all times, you have a standing pilot. If there is no flame visible when the fireplace is off, you have electronic ignition. The manual will also state which type you have and whether the pilot should be left on or off.

When to turn off a standing pilot and how to do it safely

If you want to save money during warm months, you can turn off a standing pilot from May through September, then relight it in October. To turn it off, locate the gas control knob on the fireplace (usually on the front or side of the unit) and turn it to the "off" position. Some fireplaces have a separate pilot valve; check your manual to be sure you are turning off the pilot and not the entire fireplace.

Before you relight the pilot in fall, read the manufacturer's lighting instructions carefully. Most standing pilots are lit by holding the gas knob in the "pilot" position while pressing an igniter button or holding a lit match to the pilot burner. You will hear a click (electronic ignition) or see a spark, and the pilot should light within a few seconds. Once it is lit, hold the knob in for 30 to 60 seconds to let the thermocouple heat up, then release it. If the pilot stays lit, you are done. If it goes out, wait a few minutes and try again.

If the pilot will not light after two or three attempts, or if it lights but goes out when ready when you release the knob, do not keep trying. This usually means the thermocouple is faulty or the gas valve needs service. Call a technician rather than risk gas buildup in your home.

Thermostats and automatic pilot control

Many modern gas fireplaces have a built-in thermostat that automatically controls the pilot light. When the room temperature drops below the set point, the thermostat turns the pilot on. When the room warms up, it turns the pilot off. This system balances convenience and cost: you do not have to manually turn the pilot on and off each season, and the pilot does not run when it is not needed.

If your fireplace has a thermostat, check whether it is set to "on" or "auto." The "auto" setting lets the thermostat control the pilot; the "on" setting keeps the pilot running continuously regardless of room temperature. For the best balance of comfort and cost, set it to "auto" and adjust the temperature setpoint to match when you typically want the fireplace available.

Some thermostats are mechanical (a dial you turn), while others are digital (a display with buttons). Your manual will explain how to set yours. If you have lost the manual, search the manufacturer's website by your fireplace model number, which is usually printed on a label inside the firebox or on the back of the unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will leaving the pilot light on all year damage my fireplace?

No. Standing pilot fireplaces are designed to run continuously during the heating season, and many homeowners leave them on year-round without problems. The only downside is the extra gas cost. However, if your pilot light is cycling on and off frequently or going out unexpectedly, that signals a problem that should be checked by a technician.

What should I do if my pilot light goes out?

First, turn the gas knob to "off" and wait five minutes for any gas to clear. Then follow your fireplace manual's relighting procedure. If the pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob, or if it will not light after two attempts, stop and call a service technician. Do not keep trying, as this can allow gas to build up.

Can I leave the pilot on if I am away for the winter?

Yes, but it is not necessary. If you are leaving for several months, turning off the pilot saves money and eliminates the small risk of it going out while you are away. Just make sure to relight it properly when you return, following the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Does leaving the pilot on increase my carbon monoxide risk?

A properly functioning standing pilot actually reduces CO risk because the flame is always present and the system is operating as designed. The danger comes from a pilot that goes out unexpectedly or from trying to relight a fireplace without clearing gas first. If your pilot goes out, follow the manual's procedure and stop if it will not stay lit.

How do I know if my fireplace has a standing pilot or electronic ignition?

Look inside the firebox when the fireplace is off. If you see a small, steady flame, you have a standing pilot. If there is no flame visible, you have electronic ignition. Your manual will also state which type you have. If you cannot find the manual, search the manufacturer's website using your fireplace model number.