Isn't the pilot light really wasteful?

Ken68

allan673 wrote: »

i was told £50 per year by the gas fitter whos just swapped my boiler.
a lot of money for a pilot light being on.

...plus £20 to keep the 3 way port in condition, plus £60 for an half hour visit to service the boiler, beginning to sound like a fit up.

1carminestocky

It's a nice little earner for the energy companies, isn't it? Extracting wonga from their customers even when they aren't actually 'using' their product. Surely in these technologically advanced times the need for a bloody naked flame to be burning all the time even when the appliance it is supposed to be used for isn't actually being used at all seems somewhat 'behind the times'?

Fred_Bear_2

About 10 years ago I checked the cost of my pilot light when I went on holiday. I calculated it cost £26 per year but I forget what the price of gas was then. HTH

Cardew

1carminestocky wrote: »

It's a nice little earner for the energy companies, isn't it? Extracting wonga from their customers even when they aren't actually 'using' their product. Surely in these technologically advanced times the need for a bloody naked flame to be burning all the time even when the appliance it is supposed to be used for isn't actually being used at all seems somewhat 'behind the times'?

The latest boilers don't have a pilot light!

More technology to go wrong!

mech_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

It's a nice little earner for the energy companies, isn't it? Extracting wonga from their customers even when they aren't actually 'using' their product. Surely in these technologically advanced times the need for a bloody naked flame to be burning all the time even when the appliance it is supposed to be used for isn't actually being used at all seems somewhat 'behind the times'?

That's because many peoples' boilers are behind the times. Modern boilers are likely to have electronic ignition. That maybe covers boilers built within the last 10 years. But then there's standby electrical consumption also costing money. I think mine uses about £9 of electricity a year that way.

Surely it's only of concern in summer anyway? In winter the pilot flame helps heat the house.

Cardew

mech wrote: »

Surely it's only of concern in summer anyway? In winter the pilot flame helps heat the house.

Except mine is an outside boiler room:mad:

However you are completely right about it not being wasted heat for many people for much of the year.

The same argument applies to losses from a Hot Water tank, the 'lost heat' equating to 1kWh to 2kW per day is not really lost as it warms the fabric of the house, and is why they are often situated in an airing cupboard.

mluton

I think its also because its better for a system to start from warm, rarther than cold. I dont think the boiler would be as efficient to start from cold everytime you needed to use it.

I know our combi boiler at the flat we rented, ignighted on use, but the house we rent the pilot light is always on, so I could be wrong.

1carminestocky

Cardew wrote: »

The latest boilers don't have a pilot light!

More technology to go wrong!

I genuinely didn't know that, so thanks. My boiler is probably 15 years old (it's still got the old London telephone prefix of the manufacturer on a sticker so it's actually probably older ) but I really don't see the point in spending 3 grand on a shiny new one to hopefully recoup the costs in 10-15 year's time.

Agreed about the technology and going wrong aspect of it all. Anyone here had an electric window on their car stuck in the 'down' position? :eek:

Booradley_2

Wow. £40 pa. I only use my house once a week (work away). Should I turn the P. light off?

Boo

slinga

I leave my pilot light on when I'm away from the house for 6 months over the winter period.
In fact I turn it up quite high because I think it will keep the water luke warm ish and therefore maybe give some heat to the house and other pipework to stop freezing.

Say it was to cost £50 over the 6 months winter period am I correct in doing this or does the heating effect make no difference and I'm wasting my money?