Gas burner question.

[First-light]

I have a multi family rental in Corning. My lower tenant insists on turning off the pilot light on the burner when the heat isn't needed in the warm months. He says it saves him money. I'm ok with this but it seems for the last two years when he goes to light it in Sept/Oct there is a problem and I have to call the serves and it costs $125 bucks. 

What do you guys think the savings is on nat gas by turning off the pilot light? (warm months when heat is not needed)

[letinmfly]

If you're paying for the service call then obviously no savings for you by turning it off.  Give your tenant the bill to pay and see if he does it again. 

I don't use gas in my house for heat but I can't believe that keeping the pilot on can be that expensive of an endeavor.  I use gas for my dryer and that costs me around $20 for the month. 

Edited September 13, 2014 by letinmfly

[Paula]

The savings on doing that is minimal, but not for you of course. If the basement is a damp then maybe in the long run it could hurt your furnace. If pilot is on then that kinda keep furnace dry. Know what I mean? So if you have not called for service question the service guy about it and the put it in the lease that the tenant will have to pay for the service call.

I just sold my rental a few months ago and I am thrilled!

[First-light]

Yes the basement is slightly moist. I can see why having the pilot on may keep things dry. He is a great tenant so I don't want to come down on him. I will ask him in the future to keep the pilot light on and see how it goes. Thanks everyone.

[tommyc50]

leave it on the themal lead has to stay heated[ its the saftey device where the boiler wont go on w/ out the pilot lit]i work for the gas comp. i know . it 'll take a longtime to light the pilot

[wooly]

I sent you some insider secrets Burt.

Let me know when you get them so I can send you the bill!

[SteveB]

Shouldn't take but less than a minute to light a pilot.

Having it off for the summer should not cause any issue with the unit other than not knowing how to relight it. Another thing to remember - all heating appliances should have a yearly service performed. Late summer is a great time to schedule.

[Kot2B]

I sent you some insider secrets Burt.

Let me know when you get them so I can send you the bill!

C'mon now the rest of us wanna know!!

[Kot2B]

BTW the natural gas meter bill usually covers 3 therms, there will not be a difference in the bill on or off for a pilot.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Kot2B

[Bowshotmuzzleloader]

How Much Gas Does My Pilot Light Use

Your pilot light on your furnace or fireplace is a flame a little larger than what a candle would put out, but your pilot light is hotter. Your pilot light on your furnace or fireplace will consume 600 – 900 BTUs! Some would try to argue saying there is no way a pilot light consumes 600 – 900 BTUs, but it does.

How Much Money Does a Pilot Light Cost

This will depend on how much your pilot light consumes and how much you actually pay for your natural gas. This is usually printed on your gas bill. But on average 600 – 900 BTUs would cost you around $0.08 – $0.11/day. Which would be $2.44 – $3.35/month, or $29.22 – $40.18/year!

How Much Money Will I Save Turning Off Gas to Furnace

This depends on where you live. Here I could probably turn off the gas and electric to my furnace 6 months of the year. So I would save $14.61 – $20.09/year just by turning off the gas to my furnace during the summer months.

- See more at: http://gogreeninyourhome.com/how-to-save-electricity/turn-off-your-furnace-in-the-summer-time-save-gas/#sthash.EOuBRoRb.dpuf

[oblivitar]

what ends up happening is, is that the pilot orifice is about as small as a needle if not smaller and now that there isn't gas going thru it.....it doesn't take much to clog them up. usually all we do is take off the pilot assembly from the gas valve and and blow them out with a C02 cartridge or a broach. takes 10 mins

[Kot2B]

20-40 bucks or a $125 service call..... Tell the tenant to eat it or pay the service call. Like I said there is a 3 therm minimum charge so short of them using a ton of natural gas there is no savings. Plus 40 bucks on 6 months is 6.67 a month. If things are that tight there is something wrong.

[First-light]

Wow great information. The gas company has said the orifice is clogged and needs to be cleaned, $125.00! I guess a can of compressed air will do nicely, Wooly I'm scared to look at my PM.

[First-light]

Damn, 3 tree stands, 4 bottles of code blue and 2 doe tags. Wooly is a wheeler and dealer,

and a hell of a nice guy;)