Leave the pilot light on if you use your fireplace regularly; turn it off if you don't plan to use it until spring

The answer depends on how often you actually light the fireplace. If you use it several times a week or more, leaving the pilot light on means you can start a fire when ready without waiting for the ignition system to work. If you use it rarely or not at all during winter, turning the pilot off saves gas and money. The trade-off is straightforward: convenience versus cost.

Most homeowners who use their fireplace at least once a week find it worth leaving the pilot on. Those who use it once a month or less usually save enough to make turning it off worthwhile. The difference in your gas bill is small either way — typically a few dollars per month — but it adds up over a three-month winter.

Key Takeaways

  • Leaving the pilot light on costs roughly $5 to $15 per month in natural gas, depending on your local rates and how efficiently your fireplace burns.
  • A fireplace with the pilot on will ignite when ready when you turn the knob; without it, you may wait 10 to 30 seconds for the ignition system to light the gas.
  • Turning off the pilot light requires you to locate the control knob (usually on the front or side of the fireplace) and switch it to the "Off" or "Pilot Off" position.
  • If you leave the pilot on, check it monthly to make sure the flame is steady and blue; a yellow or flickering flame means the burner needs cleaning.
  • Restarting a pilot light in spring takes only a few minutes if you follow the manufacturer's instructions, which are usually printed on the control panel itself.

How much does a pilot light cost to run all winter

A pilot light that burns continuously uses between 400 and 600 cubic feet of natural gas per month, depending on the fireplace model and how efficiently it burns. At average U.S. rates of $10 to $15 per thousand cubic feet, that works out to roughly $5 to $10 per month. Over a four-month winter, you are looking at $20 to $40 in gas costs.

The actual number varies by your local gas rates, which differ significantly by region and change seasonally. If you pay $8 per thousand cubic feet, the cost is lower; if you pay $20, it is higher. Call your gas provider or check your most recent bill to find your rate, then multiply your fireplace's monthly usage by that rate to get your real number.

For most households, this cost is small enough that the decision comes down to convenience rather than savings. However, if you have multiple fireplaces or rarely use them, the total can justify turning them all off.

When to turn the pilot light off

Turn off the pilot light if you do not plan to use the fireplace for more than a week at a time. This includes the entire off-season if you live somewhere with warm winters or if you straightforward prefer other heating methods. The process takes less than a minute: locate the control knob on the fireplace (usually a dial or lever on the front or side), turn it to "Off" or "Pilot Off," and wait for the flame to go out completely.

Before you turn it off, make sure you know where the control knob is and that you can read the position labels. If the labels are worn or missing, take a photo of the knob now so you can find the "On" position again in spring. Some fireplaces have the control on the outside of the unit; others hide it behind a removable panel or inside the firebox itself.

If you have a fireplace with an electronic ignition system (rather than a standing pilot), you may not have a pilot light at all — the system lights the gas only when you turn on the fireplace. Check your manual or look inside the firebox; if there is no small flame burning all the time, you have nothing to turn off.

When to leave the pilot light on

Leave the pilot on if you use the fireplace at least once a week during winter. The convenience of when ready ignition usually outweighs the small gas cost, especially if you like to turn on the fire quickly on cold evenings. A fireplace with an active pilot light will ignite within seconds; one without a pilot may take 10 to 30 seconds for the ignition system to work, and some older systems take longer.

Leaving the pilot on also means you do not have to remember to restart it in spring or worry about whether you did it correctly. If you forget to relight it and try to use the fireplace, nothing will happen — you will have to go back outside or to the control panel and start the process over.

If you have a backup heating system and the fireplace is purely for comfort or ambiance, leaving the pilot on is less critical. If the fireplace is your primary heat source or a backup you rely on during power outages, keeping the pilot on ensures you can use it without delay.

How to check if your pilot light is burning correctly

Check your pilot light once a month during winter to make sure it is burning safely and efficiently. Look inside the firebox and find the small flame — it should be steady, about 1 to 2 inches tall, and blue in color. A blue flame means the gas is burning completely and efficiently. A yellow or orange flame means the burner is dirty or the air-to-gas ratio is wrong, and the fireplace is not burning as cleanly.

If the flame is yellow or flickering, turn off the pilot light and wait five minutes. Then turn it back on and check again. If it is still yellow, the burner likely needs cleaning. Most fireplace burners can be cleaned by gently brushing away dust and debris with a soft brush or compressed air. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, a fireplace technician can clean it for $100 to $200.

If the pilot light will not stay lit and keeps going out, the thermocouple (a safety device that senses the pilot flame) may be failing. This is a common issue and usually costs $150 to $300 to repair. Do not ignore a pilot that will not stay lit — it is a sign that something needs attention.

How to restart the pilot light in spring

Restarting a pilot light is straightforward if you follow the steps on your fireplace's control panel. Most fireplaces have instructions printed directly on the knob or on a label inside the firebox. The basic process is: turn the knob to "Pilot," hold down a button or lever to release gas, light the pilot with a long lighter or match, hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears, then turn the knob to "On."

If the instructions are not visible or readable, check your fireplace manual or search the manufacturer's website using your fireplace model number (usually found on a label inside the firebox or on the back of the unit). Most manufacturers post PDF manuals online for free.

If the pilot will not light after you follow the steps, or if it lights but goes out when ready when you release the button, do not keep trying. This usually means the thermocouple needs replacement or the gas line has an issue. Call a fireplace technician rather than troubleshooting further on your own.

Pilot light safety and maintenance

A properly functioning pilot light is safe to leave on all winter. The flame is small and contained, and the fireplace is designed to handle it. However, you should never leave anything flammable within 3 feet of the fireplace opening, and you should keep the area around the fireplace clean and free of dust and debris.

If you smell gas near the fireplace at any time, turn off the pilot light when ready, open windows to ventilate, and call your gas provider's emergency line. Do not try to find the source of the smell yourself. A gas leak is a serious safety issue that requires professional attention.

Have your fireplace inspected by a professional once every two years, or annually if you use it frequently. A technician will check the pilot light, the burner, the venting system, and the safety controls to make sure everything is working correctly. This typically costs $100 to $200 and can catch problems before they become dangerous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does leaving the pilot light on increase my risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

No, if your fireplace is vented correctly. A properly vented fireplace sends all combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, up the chimney and out of your home. The pilot light produces very little carbon monoxide compared to a full fire, and it is all vented away. However, if your chimney is blocked or your fireplace is not vented at all, any fire — including the pilot — can be dangerous. Have your venting system inspected if you are unsure.

Can I turn the pilot light off and on multiple times during winter?

Yes, you can turn it off and on as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can restart it, and doing so does not wear out the system. If you want to turn it off during a warm spell and back on when it gets cold again, that is fine. Just follow the restart instructions each time.

What if I cannot find the control knob on my fireplace?

Check inside the firebox first — many control knobs are on the front or side of the burner unit itself. If it is not there, look for a removable panel or cover on the fireplace face. Some fireplaces have the control hidden behind decorative trim or inside a cabinet below the firebox. If you still cannot find it, check your manual or contact the manufacturer with your fireplace model number.

Will turning off the pilot light damage the fireplace?

No, turning off the pilot light does not damage anything. Fireplaces are designed to have the pilot on or off, and switching between the two is a normal part of seasonal maintenance. The only thing you need to do is make sure you know how to restart it when you want to use the fireplace again.

How long does it take to restart a pilot light?

The entire process usually takes 2 to 5 minutes from start to finish. Most of that time is waiting — you hold the ignition button for 30 to 60 seconds to let the thermocouple heat up and sense the flame. If the pilot does not light on the first try, wait a few minutes and try again, as residual gas may be blocking the ignition.