How do I shut the pilot light off for the summer?
On a standing-pilot unit there's a gas control knob — usually behind the lower louver or access panel — with an OFF position that shuts the pilot down for the season. Because every valve and model differs, and because this is gas, follow your unit's owner's manual for the exact steps, or simply let us shut it off at your annual service. Electronic-ignition fireplaces have no standing pilot to turn off.
Where the control lives
The gas control valve on a standing-pilot fireplace is tucked behind the lower grille, louver, or a removable access panel at the base of the unit. You'll find a knob marked ON / PILOT / OFF and, nearby, the manual shutoff valve on the gas line itself. The exact sequence to move from PILOT to OFF varies by manufacturer — a Heat & Glo valve isn't identical to an older millivolt setup — which is why we point you to your specific model's manual rather than one-size-fits-all steps.
What we won't walk you through
We'll point you to your manual for turning a pilot off, but anything past that — relighting a stubborn pilot, adjusting the valve, chasing a thermocouple that won't hold, or touching the gas line — is licensed work in North Carolina, and it's ours, not a DIY job. If your pilot won't stay lit, or you ever smell gas, that's not a summer-shutdown task; leave the area and call us. Never force a valve or improvise.
The easier route
Honestly, the cleanest way to close out the season is to fold the pilot shutdown into your annual maintenance visit. We come out in late summer or early fall, shut the pilot down properly if you want it off, clean the burner and pilot assembly, clear any spider nests, and leave the unit ready to relight the moment you need heat. One visit, done right. Call (828) 545-0525 to book — or if you'd rather keep the pilot lit all summer, that's fine too.
Related questions
- Should I leave my gas fireplace pilot light on all summer or turn it off?
- How much gas does a standing pilot light use?
- Does the pilot light give off enough heat to warm up the room in summer?
- Are there benefits to leaving the pilot lit year-round, like keeping moisture and spiders out?
- How do I completely shut off the gas to my fireplace, and where is the shutoff valve?
- How do I light the pilot light on my gas fireplace?
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