Turn off the pilot light during warm months, but leave it on during the heating season unless you have a specific reason to shut it down

The pilot light on a gas fireplace burns continuously by design, using a small amount of gas to stay lit so the fireplace can ignite quickly when you want heat. Turning it off saves gas and money, but only makes sense when you won't need the fireplace for several months. Most homeowners turn off the pilot light in late spring and relight it in early fall, treating it like a seasonal appliance.

Leaving the pilot light on year-round costs money and wastes fuel, but it also means you never have to relight it manually or wait for it to ignite. The trade-off is straightforward: convenience and when ready heat versus lower utility bills. Your choice depends on how often you use the fireplace and whether you mind the small extra cost of keeping it burning.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning off the pilot light during months you don't use the fireplace reduces gas consumption and lowers your utility bill.
  • Relighting a pilot light requires finding the ignition switch, locating the control knob, and holding it in the ignition position for 30 to 60 seconds—a task that takes five minutes but must be done correctly.
  • If your fireplace has an electronic ignition system instead of a standing pilot, you can turn off the gas supply entirely without worrying about relighting.
  • Leaving the pilot light on year-round costs roughly $10 to $20 per month in gas, depending on your local rates and fireplace design.
  • If you turn off the pilot light, write down the exact steps for your model before you do, because the process varies by manufacturer.

How much gas a pilot light actually uses

A pilot light on a gas fireplace burns between 400 and 600 BTU per hour, which translates to roughly 10 to 15 cubic feet of gas per day. At average U.S. natural gas rates, that amounts to somewhere between $10 and $20 per month, depending on your local utility rates and the specific design of your fireplace. Propane pilot lights cost slightly more because propane rates are higher than natural gas rates in most regions.

Over a six-month period when you don't use the fireplace—say, May through October—leaving the pilot light on costs $60 to $120 in wasted gas. That is money spent for heat you are not using. For many households, that savings justifies the effort of turning it off and relighting it when the weather turns cold.

The steps to turn off and relight a pilot light

Turning off the pilot light is straightforward: locate the control knob on the fireplace (usually labeled "Pilot," "On," and "Off"), turn it to the "Off" position, and wait a few minutes for any remaining gas to clear. Some fireplaces have a separate valve you must turn; check your manual to know which one controls the pilot specifically.

Relighting requires more care. Turn the control knob to "Pilot," then press and hold the ignition button (a small red or black button near the knob) while holding a long lighter or match to the pilot opening. Hold the button down for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears—this allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensing device) to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open. Release the button slowly. If the flame goes out, wait five minutes and try again. Once the pilot stays lit, turn the knob to "On" to restore normal operation.

The exact location of the ignition button and the pilot opening varies by manufacturer. Before you turn off the pilot light, take a photo of the control panel or write down the steps from your owner's manual. Trying to relight a pilot without clear instructions often leads to frustration and wasted time.

Electronic ignition systems versus standing pilots

Not all gas fireplaces have a standing pilot light. Newer models often use electronic ignition, which means the pilot only lights when you turn on the fireplace. If your fireplace has electronic ignition, you can turn off the gas supply to the entire unit during warm months without any relighting hassle—just turn the control knob to "Off" and you are done.

To tell the difference, look at the control panel. A standing pilot has a knob with "Pilot," "On," and "Off" positions, and the pilot burns continuously. An electronic ignition system usually has only an "On" and "Off" switch, or a remote control, and no visible pilot flame when the fireplace is off. Check your manual if you are unsure; it will specify which type your fireplace uses.

Reasons to leave the pilot light on year-round

Convenience is the main reason. If you use the fireplace unpredictably—on cold evenings in spring or fall, or during unexpected cold snaps—leaving the pilot on means you can turn on heat when ready without waiting for ignition. You also avoid the small risk of making a mistake during relighting, which can happen if you forget the exact steps or if the ignition button sticks.

Some homeowners leave the pilot on because they use the fireplace frequently enough that turning it off and on multiple times per year costs more in time and frustration than the gas savings justify. If you use the fireplace more than a few times per month year-round, the cost of the pilot light is negligible compared to the gas you burn when the fireplace is actually running.

When to turn off the pilot light for safety reasons

If you smell gas near the fireplace, turn off the pilot light when ready and do not attempt to relight it. A persistent gas smell usually means the thermocouple is failing, the gas valve is leaking, or the pilot assembly needs cleaning. Call a gas fireplace technician to inspect the unit before you use it again.

If you are leaving your home empty for an extended period—more than a month—turning off the pilot light reduces the risk of undetected gas leaks. A small leak that goes unnoticed for weeks can create a hazard; turning off the pilot eliminates that risk entirely. You can relight it when you return.

Do not turn off the pilot light if you suspect a problem with the ignition system or if you have never done it before and cannot find clear instructions. A technician can turn it off safely and show you how to relight it correctly.

Pilot light won't stay lit after relighting

If the pilot light goes out within a few seconds of relighting, the thermocouple is likely dirty or failing. The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it gets coated with dust or corrosion, it cannot sense the heat from the flame, and the valve closes automatically.

You can try cleaning the thermocouple yourself: turn off the gas, wait five minutes, then locate the thermocouple (a thin rod near the pilot opening) and gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth or fine steel wool. Relight the pilot and hold the ignition button for a full 60 seconds. If the pilot still will not stay lit, the thermocouple needs replacement, which requires a technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off the pilot light damage the fireplace?

No. Gas fireplaces are designed to have the pilot light turned off and on seasonally. Turning it off causes no wear or damage to the unit. The only risk is making a mistake during relighting, which you can avoid by following the steps in your manual carefully.

Can I turn off the pilot light if I have a remote control fireplace?

It depends on the model. If your fireplace has a standing pilot (a flame that burns continuously), you can turn it off using the control knob on the unit itself, even if you also have a remote. If it has electronic ignition, the remote controls the whole system and there is no standing pilot to turn off. Check your manual to confirm which type you have.

How long does it take to relight a pilot light?

The actual process takes about five minutes: locating the control knob, finding the ignition button, holding a lighter to the pilot opening, and holding the ignition button for 30 to 60 seconds. If the pilot does not light on the first try, add another five minutes per attempt. Most people succeed on the first or second try once they know the steps.

What if I turn off the pilot light and forget how to relight it?

Your owner's manual has the exact steps for your model. If you cannot find the manual, search online for your fireplace brand and model number—most manufacturers post manuals on their websites. You can also call a gas fireplace technician to relight it for you, though this costs $75 to $150 for a service call.

Is it cheaper to turn off the pilot light or just leave it on?

Turning it off saves $60 to $120 over a six-month off-season, which is worth doing if you are comfortable with the relighting process. If you use the fireplace frequently or find relighting inconvenient, the savings do not justify the effort. The choice is yours based on your usage and comfort level.