A standard standing pilot light burns approximately 600 to 1,800 BTU per hour, depending on the appliance. That translates to 5–12 therms of gas per month, costing roughly $5–$13/month at the 2026 national average gas price of $1.05/therm. Over a full year, a single pilot light costs approximately $60–$156 in gas — and if you have multiple gas appliances with standing pilots (furnace, water heater, fireplace), those costs compound.
Pilot Light Gas Usage by Appliance
How to calculate your cost: Pilot BTU/hour × 24 hours × 30 days ÷ 100,000 BTU/therm × your local $/therm = monthly cost. For a 1,000 BTU/hr pilot: 1,000 × 24 × 30 ÷ 100,000 × $1.05 = $7.56/month.
Multiple Pilot Lights Add Up
Many older homes have 2–3 gas appliances with standing pilot lights. The combined cost is significant:
A home with 3 standing pilot lights could save $200–$300+ per year by upgrading those appliances to electronic ignition models.
Pilot Light vs. Electronic Ignition
Modern gas appliances use electronic ignition (either hot surface ignition or direct spark) instead of standing pilot lights. Electronic ignition uses gas only when the burner actually fires — consuming zero fuel when the appliance is idle.
Should You Turn Off Your Pilot Light in Summer?
For gas furnaces, the pilot light only runs during the heating season (if you shut off the furnace in spring). However, for gas fireplaces and older water heaters with standing pilots, the pilot burns year-round — even when you're not using them.
Gas fireplace: Yes, turn off the pilot in summer. A gas fireplace pilot costs $7–$14/month for zero benefit during warm months. That's $28–$56 saved over a 4-month summer. Most gas fireplaces have a clearly labeled pilot switch.
Gas water heater: Generally, leave it on. The pilot also helps dry out the combustion chamber, preventing corrosion. The savings from turning it off ($4–$8/month) are modest, and relighting can be inconvenient.
Gas furnace: If your furnace has a standing pilot (pre-2010 model), turn it off for the summer. Savings: $7–$9/month × 4 months = $28–$36. When fall arrives, follow the relighting instructions on the furnace.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: The Hendersons — Three Pilot Lights in Cleveland, OH The Hendersons had standing pilots on their furnace (1980s model), water heater (2005), and gas fireplace. Combined annual pilot cost at their local rate of $0.95/therm: $265. They replaced the furnace with a modern electronic ignition model ($5,200), and the water heater was already due for replacement ($1,200 for a new power-vent model with electronic ignition). They also turned off the fireplace pilot in summer. Annual pilot light savings: approximately $215.
Example 2: The Chens — Fireplace Pilot Year-Round in Denver, CO The Chens' gas fireplace pilot burned year-round at 1,500 BTU/hr. At their gas rate of $0.80/therm, the pilot cost $86/year — yet they only used the fireplace about 30 hours during the winter. The gas used by the pilot actually exceeded the gas used for actual fireplace operation. They installed a battery-operated electronic ignition kit ($150 DIY) that eliminated the standing pilot entirely.
Example 3: The Garcias — Mystery Gas Bill Solved in Phoenix, AZ The Garcias noticed their summer gas bill was $35/month even though they weren't heating, cooking minimally, and using solar for water heating. The culprit: a standing pilot on their decorative gas fireplace that they'd never turned off. Turning off the pilot reduced their summer gas bill to $12/month (base charges only). Annual savings: approximately $100.
Key Takeaways
- A single standing pilot light costs $60–$160/year in gas — and most people forget they're running.
- Multiple pilot lights (furnace + water heater + fireplace) can cost $200–$360/year combined.
- Modern electronic ignition uses zero gas when idle — upgrading to new appliances eliminates pilot light costs entirely.
- Turn off gas fireplace pilots in summer — this is the easiest immediate savings ($28–$56).
- Don't leave the furnace pilot running in summer if your furnace has a standing pilot (pre-2010 models).
- Post-2010 furnaces use electronic ignition and don't have standing pilots — there's nothing to turn off.
- When replacing gas appliances, electronic ignition is now standard — but verify if buying budget or older-stock models.
Frequently Asked Questions
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