The pilot light should stay on in most cases, but the answer depends on your appliance type and season
For gas water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces, the pilot light is designed to burn continuously during the months you use the appliance. Turning it off and on repeatedly wastes gas and creates wear on the ignition system. However, if you have a modern appliance with electronic ignition (a spark or hot surface igniter rather than a standing pilot), you don't have a pilot light at all—the system lights the burner only when heat is needed.
The real question is whether to turn off your pilot light seasonally. In warm months when you don't need heat, turning off the pilot on a furnace or water heater saves a small amount of gas. On a gas fireplace used only for ambiance, you can safely turn it off year-round when not in use. The trade-off is convenience: relighting takes a few minutes and carries a small risk of user error.
Key Takeaways
- Gas water heaters and furnaces should keep the pilot light on during months when the appliance is in use, because continuous burning is more efficient than repeated ignition cycles.
- Turning off the pilot light in summer months on a furnace or water heater saves gas, but the savings are modest—typically a few dollars per month.
- Modern appliances with electronic ignition do not have a pilot light and light the burner only when needed, so there is no on-off decision to make.
- If you turn off a pilot light, follow the appliance manual's exact steps for relighting, because improper technique can allow gas to accumulate before ignition.
How a pilot light works and why it stays lit
A pilot light is a small, continuous flame that burns inside a gas appliance. Its job is to ignite the main burner when the thermostat or control calls for heat. Because the pilot is already burning, the main burner lights when ready and reliably—no delay, no electronic spark needed.
The pilot stays lit because turning it off and on repeatedly is harder on the system than letting it burn. Each ignition cycle creates a small surge in the ignition mechanism. Over time, frequent cycling wears out the thermocouple (the safety device that keeps gas flowing to the pilot) and the igniter itself. Continuous burning avoids this wear.
Seasonal shutdown: water heaters and furnaces
If you heat your home with a gas furnace, you can turn off the pilot light in late spring and relight it in fall. The same applies to a gas water heater if you have a second heat source in summer or plan to use less hot water. To shut down the pilot, locate the control knob on the appliance (usually labeled "Pilot," "Off," and "On"), turn it to "Off," and wait five minutes for any remaining gas to clear.
The gas savings from a seasonal shutdown are real but small. A pilot light on a furnace or water heater uses roughly 400 to 600 BTU per hour—equivalent to a few dollars per month during the off-season. If you live in a climate with a long, warm summer, the savings add up. If your off-season is short, the savings barely cover the effort of relighting.
Before you relight in fall, read the appliance manual for the exact procedure. Most require you to hold the control knob on "Pilot" while pressing an igniter button or holding a lit match to the pilot opening. You may need to hold the knob for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot lights to allow the thermocouple to heat up and sense the flame. Releasing too early will cause the pilot to go out.
Gas fireplaces and decorative appliances
A gas fireplace used only for decoration or occasional warmth can have its pilot light turned off without concern. Unlike a furnace or water heater, a fireplace is not a critical system—if you forget to relight it, you straightforward don't have a fire that evening. The ignition system in a fireplace is usually more robust than in a water heater, so repeated cycling causes less wear.
Many modern gas fireplaces have a remote control or wall switch that turns the pilot on and off electronically. If yours does, use that control rather than the manual knob. If you have only a manual knob, turn it to "Off" when you don't plan to use the fireplace for weeks or months. Relight using the same procedure as a water heater: hold the knob on "Pilot," press the igniter, and hold steady for a minute after the flame appears.
Electronic ignition systems: no pilot light to manage
Many gas appliances made in the last 15 to 20 years use electronic ignition instead of a standing pilot. These systems have a spark igniter or a hot surface igniter that lights the burner only when the thermostat calls for heat. Once the burner is lit, the igniter shuts off. When heat is no longer needed, the burner goes out completely.
If your appliance has electronic ignition, there is no pilot light to turn on or off. The system manages itself. You will know you have electronic ignition if you see a spark or hear a clicking sound when the burner lights, or if the control panel has a digital display. Check your appliance manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure.
Safety considerations when relighting a pilot
The main safety risk when relighting a pilot is allowing gas to accumulate in the appliance before ignition. If you turn the control knob to "Pilot" but the pilot does not light on the first or second try, stop and wait five minutes with the knob on "Off." This clears any unburned gas. Then try again, following the manual's steps exactly.
Never use a lighter or match to light a pilot if the manual says to use the igniter button. The manual's procedure is designed to control the flow of gas and may support safe ignition. If the pilot will not light after three or four attempts, do not keep trying. Call a service technician instead. A pilot that won't light may indicate a problem with the gas line, thermocouple, or igniter that requires professional repair.
Deciding whether to turn off your pilot light
The decision comes down to three factors: how long your off-season is, how much you value the small gas savings, and how comfortable you are relighting the pilot. If you live in a climate with a six-month heating season and a six-month off-season, turning off the pilot in summer makes sense. If your off-season is two or three months, the savings are minimal and may not be worth the hassle.
If you are uncertain about relighting or uncomfortable with the procedure, leave the pilot on. The extra gas cost is small, and you avoid the risk of improper relighting. If you decide to turn it off, write down the exact steps from your manual and keep them near the appliance so you can follow them accurately when you relight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does leaving the pilot light on all summer waste a lot of gas?
No. A pilot light uses roughly 400 to 600 BTU per hour, which costs a few dollars per month depending on your gas rate. Over a three-month summer, you might save $10 to $20 by turning it off. Whether that savings is worth the effort of relighting is a personal choice.
What if I turn off the pilot and forget to turn it back on in fall?
Your furnace or water heater straightforward won't work until you relight the pilot. You will notice when ready—no heat or hot water. Relight following the manual's steps, and the appliance will resume normal operation. There is no damage from the pilot being off.
Can I leave the pilot light on if I'm away for a month?
Yes, it is safe to leave the pilot on while you are away. The pilot is designed to burn continuously without attention. If you are concerned about gas use, turning it off before you leave and relighting when you return is an option, but the savings for one month are minimal.
How do I know if my appliance has a pilot light or electronic ignition?
Check your appliance manual or look at the control panel. If you see a knob labeled "Pilot," "On," and "Off," you have a standing pilot. If the control panel is digital or you hear a spark or clicking when the burner lights, you have electronic ignition and no pilot light to manage.
Is it dangerous to relight a pilot light myself?
No, relighting a pilot is safe if you follow the manual's steps exactly. The main risk is allowing gas to accumulate before ignition, which you avoid by waiting five minutes between attempts and following the procedure as written. If the pilot won't light after a few tries, call a technician rather than continuing to attempt it.