If you're staring at your furnace or water heater and wondering, "should i turn off pilot light in summer," you're definitely not the first person to ask. It feels like one of those tiny household chores that could either save you a bunch of money or end up being a massive headache when the first cold snap hits in October. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some pretty solid pros and cons to weigh before you go reaching for that gas valve.
Most modern furnaces don't even have a standing pilot light anymore—they use electronic ignitions that only spark when they need to. But if you've got an older unit, or you're looking at a standard gas water heater, that little blue flame is burning 24/7. Let's break down whether it's worth it to blow it out for the season or just let it ride.
The Case for Turning It Off
The most obvious reason people want to kill the pilot light is the bill. Even though that flame is tiny, it's constantly consuming gas. It's essentially a small burner that never stops. Depending on where you live and what your gas rates look like, a standing pilot light can cost you anywhere from $5 to $15 a month. Over a long, hot summer, you might be looking at fifty bucks or more just to keep a flame going that you aren't even using.
Then there's the heat factor. A pilot light doesn't put out a ton of heat, but it does produce some. If your furnace is located in a small utility closet or a basement that tends to get stuffy, that constant heat source can actually raise the temperature of the immediate area. In the dead of summer, when you're paying a fortune for air conditioning, the last thing you want is your furnace fighting against your A/C, even if it's just by a tiny margin.
Finally, there's the "peace of mind" aspect. Some people just don't like the idea of a live flame burning while they're away on summer vacation. While modern systems have safety features like thermocouples—which shut off the gas if the flame goes out—some folks feel better knowing the gas is completely off at the source.
The "Hidden" Dangers of Turning It Off
While saving fifteen bucks a month sounds great, there are some weirdly specific downsides to turning off a pilot light that most people don't think about until it's too late. The biggest one involves a very specific type of roommate: spiders.
Believe it or not, certain types of spiders are actually attracted to the smell of the chemicals added to natural gas (mercaptan). When you turn the pilot light off and the tube cools down, these spiders find the small, dark pilot tube to be the perfect place to build a nest. When you try to relight the furnace in the fall, the gas won't flow because the tube is clogged with spider webs. Cleaning that out is a pain and usually requires a service call, which will cost way more than the $50 you saved on gas.
Then there's the moisture issue. A pilot light keeps the inside of the combustion chamber just a little bit warmer than the surrounding air. This prevents condensation from forming on the metal components. If you live in a humid climate and you turn that flame off, your furnace's heat exchanger can actually start to rust from the inside out because of the damp summer air. Rust is the silent killer of furnaces, and once it starts, you're looking at an expensive replacement down the line.
Safety and the Thermocouple
If you're worried about gas leaks, it's worth understanding how your pilot light actually works. Almost every gas appliance with a standing pilot uses a thermocouple. This is a little sensor that sits right in the flame. As long as it's hot, it tells the gas valve to stay open. If the flame blows out, the thermocouple cools down in seconds and physically snaps the gas valve shut.
So, if you're worried that the wind might blow the flame out while you're at work and fill your house with gas, that's actually quite unlikely with a functioning unit. The real "risk" is usually just the inconvenience of having to relight it. However, if your equipment is very old and you aren't sure if the safety features are working properly, turning it off might feel like the safer bet.
Is It Hard to Relight?
This is the big question for many homeowners. If you have an easy-to-reach furnace or water heater with clear instructions printed on the side, relighting a pilot light takes about two minutes. You just turn the knob to "Pilot," hold it down to let the gas flow, hit the igniter (or use a long lighter), and keep holding the knob for about 30 seconds until the thermocouple heats up.
But let's be honest—some of these units are located in crawlspaces that require a yoga degree to access. Others have covers that are stuck or knobs that are incredibly stiff. If your furnace is a nightmare to get to, you have to ask yourself if the physical struggle of relighting it in October is worth the small savings in July. If you're older or have mobility issues, or if the furnace is just a cranky old beast that hates being relighted, you're probably better off leaving it alone.
What About Water Heaters?
Everything we've talked about so far mostly applies to furnaces, but water heaters are a different story. You obviously use hot water all summer long, so you shouldn't turn off the pilot light on your water heater unless you're leaving the house for several weeks.
If you are going on a long vacation, many water heaters have a "Vacation Mode." This keeps the pilot light lit but turns the main burner temperature way down so you aren't wasting energy heating a tank of water that nobody is using. This is usually the best middle ground because it keeps the spiders out and the rust away while still cutting your bill.
The Final Verdict: To Flip the Switch or Not?
So, should you actually do it? Here is a quick rule of thumb to help you decide.
You should probably turn it off if: * You live in a very dry climate where rust and humidity aren't big concerns. * Your gas rates are sky-high and every dollar counts. * The pilot light is easy to access and you're comfortable relighting it. * Your furnace is in a living area where the extra heat is actually noticeable.
You should probably leave it on if: * You live in a humid area where things tend to rust or get damp. * You have a history of spiders or insects getting into your appliances. * The furnace is in a hard-to-reach spot or is temperamental to start. * You simply don't want to deal with the chore of relighting it when the first cold day of the year arrives.
At the end of the day, it's a personal preference. Most HVAC technicians are split on the issue. Some will tell you to save the money, while others will tell you that the "exercise" of keeping the unit warm is better for its longevity.
If you do decide to turn it off, just make sure you know exactly where the gas shut-off valve is and that you have a long-reach lighter ready for the fall. And maybe, just maybe, give that pilot tube a quick look-over for spider webs before you try to click that igniter back on in October. It might save you a cold morning and an expensive phone call to a repairman.