How much gas does a standing pilot light use?
Many Mills River homes run on propane out among the farmland and forest, and on a tank a standing pilot is a more noticeable trickle than on a gas main — propane costs more per unit, so that nonstop little flame draws the tank down between fills. It's still small, and the outdoor gas features popular here rarely add a second 24/7 pilot.
On a propane tank, the trickle is a bit more visible
Out on Mills River's rural large-lot properties, propane is common, and propane runs pricier per unit of energy than natural gas — so a standing pilot that never goes out shows up a little more against your tank than it would on a city main. It's the same tiny flame, just costing a bit more to feed. That's why propane homeowners here are the most likely to shut the pilot down over a mild stretch, or to choose a fireplace with electronic ignition that carries no standing pilot at all and lights only on demand.
Outdoor features don't usually add a pilot
Mills River's open valley is made for outdoor living, and we install plenty of gas fire pits and patio heaters here — best planned in late spring before entertaining season. Good news for your propane bill: most outdoor gas features light on demand, by electronic spark or manually, rather than running a standing pilot around the clock, so they don't add a second continuous draw the way an indoor pilot does. Your one indoor pilot, if you even have one, is the whole story on the tank.
Sizing it to your tank
Whether to leave the indoor pilot lit comes down to how much you value instant readiness versus a little propane saved — a call we're happy to help you make, with no pressure to change anything that's working. Converting to electronic ignition, or connecting a new propane fire feature, is licensed gas work we permit through Henderson County and pressure-test. We're 25 minutes south. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mills River
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mills River and the rest of Henderson County — just 25 minutes south 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?