The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Fireplace Type and Season
Whether your gas fireplace pilot light should stay on depends on whether your fireplace has a standing pilot or an intermittent ignition device (IID). If you have a standing pilot—the older style that burns continuously—you can turn it off during warm months to save gas, but many people leave it on year-round for convenience. If you have an IID system, the pilot only lights when you use the fireplace, so there is no choice to make. Check your fireplace manual or look inside the firebox: a standing pilot is a small flame you can see even when the fireplace is off, while an IID has no visible flame until you turn the fireplace on.
Key Takeaways
- Standing pilot fireplaces burn gas continuously, so turning the pilot off during summer months can reduce your gas bill by a small but measurable amount.
- Intermittent ignition devices (IID) light only when you use the fireplace, so they have no pilot light to turn on or off.
- Turning off a standing pilot is safe and straightforward—you flip a switch or turn a knob to the "Off" or "Pilot Off" position, then wait for the flame to go out.
- Restarting a standing pilot requires holding down the ignition button while the gas flows, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes.
- Leaving a standing pilot on year-round costs more in gas but means you do not have to relight it each season.
How Standing Pilot Fireplaces Work
A standing pilot is a small flame that stays lit inside your fireplace at all times, even when you are not using it. This flame serves one purpose: when you turn on the fireplace, the heat from the standing pilot ignites the main burner. Because the pilot burns continuously, it uses a small but steady amount of gas—roughly the equivalent of a small kitchen burner running on low for 24 hours a day.
The standing pilot has a safety feature called a thermocouple, a heat-sensitive device that sits in the pilot flame. If the pilot goes out for any reason, the thermocouple cools down and shuts off the gas supply to the entire fireplace. This prevents gas from building up in your home if the pilot flame is extinguished by a draft or other accident.
Turning Off Your Standing Pilot Light
If your fireplace has a standing pilot, you can turn it off by locating the control knob on the gas valve. This knob usually has three positions: "On," "Pilot," and "Off." Turn the knob to "Off" and wait 30 seconds for any remaining gas to clear. The pilot flame will go out. You do not need to do anything else—the fireplace is now safe and will not use gas.
Most people turn off standing pilots in late spring or early summer when they no longer need heat, then turn them back on in the fall. This seasonal approach saves gas during months when the fireplace sits unused. If you live in a mild climate where you rarely use the fireplace, turning off the pilot year-round is also safe.
Before you turn off the pilot, make sure you know how to turn it back on. Write down the steps or take a photo of the control knob and its positions. If you lose track of how to restart it, you can always call your fireplace manufacturer or a local technician for guidance.
How to Restart Your Pilot Light
Restarting a standing pilot is a straightforward process that takes a few minutes. First, turn the control knob to "Pilot." Then locate the ignition button—it is usually a red or black button near the control knob. Press and hold the ignition button while you look through the fireplace viewing window or opening to see the pilot area. You should see a spark or hear a clicking sound as the igniter tries to light the pilot.
Keep holding the button for 30 seconds to two minutes. The pilot flame should appear as a small blue flame in the pilot area. Once it is lit, continue holding the button for another 30 seconds to allow the thermocouple to heat up and sense the flame. Then release the button. If the pilot stays lit, turn the control knob to "On" and your fireplace is ready to use. If the pilot goes out after you release the button, wait five minutes and try again—sometimes it takes a second or third attempt.
If the pilot will not light after three or four attempts, there may be a problem with the gas supply, the igniter, or the thermocouple. At that point, contact a fireplace technician or your gas company for help.
Gas Costs of Leaving the Pilot On
A standing pilot uses a small amount of gas, but over time it adds up. The exact cost depends on your gas rates and how long you leave the pilot on, but most homeowners report a difference of five to ten dollars per month during the off-season. Over a six-month summer period, that could mean thirty to sixty dollars in gas costs. For many people, that savings is worth the minor inconvenience of restarting the pilot in the fall.
If you use your fireplace frequently year-round, the savings from turning off the pilot are smaller because you are using the fireplace anyway. In that case, many people straightforward leave the pilot on for convenience. The choice comes down to whether the small savings matters to your household budget and whether you mind the brief restart process.
Safety Considerations
Turning off a standing pilot light is completely safe. The thermocouple prevents gas from flowing when the pilot is off, so there is no risk of gas buildup in your home. You can leave the pilot off for months without any danger.
However, if you smell gas at any time—whether the pilot is on or off—leave your home when ready and call your gas company from outside. Do not use any electrical switches, lighters, or phones inside the house. A gas smell indicates a leak that needs professional attention.
If you have pets or young children, leaving the pilot off during warm months also means there is no open flame in your fireplace, which reduces the risk of accidental burns if someone reaches into the firebox.
Intermittent Ignition Devices: No Pilot to Manage
Newer gas fireplaces often use an intermittent ignition device (IID) instead of a standing pilot. An IID has no pilot light at all. Instead, when you turn on the fireplace, an electronic igniter creates a spark that lights the main burner directly. Once the burner is lit, the igniter stops. When you turn off the fireplace, everything shuts down—no flame stays on.
If your fireplace has an IID, you do not have a pilot light to turn on or off. The system is fully automatic and uses gas only when you are actively using the fireplace. This design is more efficient than a standing pilot because it eliminates the continuous gas burn. If you are unsure whether your fireplace has a standing pilot or an IID, check your owner's manual or look inside the firebox when the fireplace is off—if you see no flame, you have an IID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does leaving the pilot light on all the time waste a lot of gas?
A standing pilot uses a small but steady amount of gas—typically five to ten dollars per month depending on your gas rates. Over a full year, that could be sixty to one hundred twenty dollars. For many households, that is noticeable enough to turn off the pilot during warm months when the fireplace is not needed.
What if I turn off the pilot and forget to turn it back on in the fall?
Your fireplace straightforward will not work until you restart the pilot. There is no danger—the fireplace will just be inoperable. When you realize the pilot is off, follow the restart steps in your manual. If you cannot get it to light, call a technician.
Can I leave the pilot on during summer if I want to?
Yes, absolutely. Leaving the pilot on year-round is safe and common. Some people prefer the convenience of not having to restart it each season, even if it costs a bit more in gas. The choice is entirely yours.
Why does my pilot light keep going out?
A pilot that goes out repeatedly may have a weak thermocouple, a dirty pilot orifice, or a draft blowing out the flame. If your pilot goes out more than once or twice a season, have a technician inspect it. A faulty thermocouple is an inexpensive repair.
Is it normal for the pilot light to be blue?
Yes, a blue pilot flame is normal and healthy. It means the gas is burning cleanly. A yellow or orange pilot flame can indicate incomplete combustion or a dirty burner and should be checked by a technician.