How much gas does a standing pilot light use?
Fairview is propane country — out on these wooded rural lots, homes on gas run propane, not a natural-gas main. So a standing pilot here is a more noticeable trickle than in town: propane costs more per unit, and that nonstop little flame draws down your tank between fills. Many Fairview homes heat with wood, though, and a wood fireplace has no pilot at all.
On propane, the summer shutoff actually saves
Because Fairview sits in propane country rather than on a gas main, a standing pilot's around-the-clock burn is fed by the pricier fuel — so leaving it lit through a warm, unused stretch draws real propane out of your tank for a fireplace you're not lighting. It's still a small flame; the cost is about time, not size. But on propane it's noticeable enough that shutting the pilot off for the summer, or choosing a unit with electronic ignition that burns no standing pilot, genuinely trims what you spend across the off-season.
Wood-burners skip the question entirely
Wood heat is popular on Fairview's wooded lots, and a wood fireplace or stove has no pilot light — so this whole question only touches your gas units. If you burn wood, your seasonal concern is different: creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires out here, so a fall sweep before the burning season matters far more than any pilot draw. We handle both sides — the licensed gas work and the wood-side inspection and sweeping — so you're not stitching it across two companies.
Match it to how you heat
Whether you run propane, wood, or both, we'll set you up for your lot and your tank — and if you keep a standing pilot for its no-electricity simplicity, its small draw buys instant readiness and a dry firebox. Converting or connecting propane is licensed gas work we permit through Buncombe County and pressure-test. We're 15 minutes east. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Fairview
We install and service fireplaces throughout Fairview and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Should I leave my gas fireplace pilot light on all summer or turn it off?
- 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 shut the pilot light off for the summer?
- Does turning the flame down make my gas fireplace use less gas?