Pilot light gas usage

freddi_2

My OH was feeling cold at the weekend so I lit the pilot light for the gas heating just in case it needed to be put on when I wasn't there.

OH can never get it to light, :eek: me, first time every time:j
The heating hasn't been used yet other than to test it was working and I then read the meter.

The pilot light has been burning away quite happily by itself so I decided to read my gas meter to see how much gas it was using.

6 kWh a day averaged over the past 5 days. Is this normal?

lemontart

not sure if normal but I have heard estimates of costing approx 50 quid a year just for piliot lights

davidgmmafan

It does cost a fair old bit, I thought I had a gas leak before someone enlightened me. Personally I turned it off until recently and will only leave it on when its cold more often. Fortunately my 70's boiler is pretty good at lighting, and my OH is comfortable using the gas fire as she's not got the hang of lighting it.

Gotta marvel at the design, you only way I can see if the pilot light is lit is by lying on my right side and looking at it with my left eye. No other position, eye or angle allows me to see it.

Premier_2

freddi wrote: »

...6 kWh a day averaged over the past 5 days. Is this normal?

6kWh a day? You probably won't need the heater if the pilot lamp burns that much

As lemontart posted, a pilot light can typically cost about £50 a year (it does vary) but your appears to be double.

Cardew

freddi wrote: »

My OH was feeling cold at the weekend so I lit the pilot light for the gas heating just in case it needed to be put on when I wasn't there.

OH can never get it to light, :eek: me, first time every time:j
The heating hasn't been used yet other than to test it was working and I then read the meter.

The pilot light has been burning away quite happily by itself so I decided to read my gas meter to see how much gas it was using.

6 kWh a day averaged over the past 5 days. Is this normal?

Several threads on this and your usage is a bit more than average - but not massively more.

Of course much of the time the heat is not wasted as it warms the fabric of the house. Do you not use your boiler for Hot Water in the summer?

freddi_2

So that is a bit high then?

I wonder if I can turn it down a little, I shall look for the instructions.

lemontart

freddi wrote: »

So that is a bit high then?

I wonder if I can turn it down a little, I shall look for the instructions.

If it is burning high then I would suggest you get it looked at - do you have any other gas appliances at the property if so are the flames normal on those. Do you have it serviced or do you have an homecare or similar coverage.

The piiot light is not something you personally can turn down.

Let me have the answers to above and I should be able to direct you further

Cardew

lemontart wrote: »

The piiot light is not something you personally can turn down.

Why not?

You are not breaking any gas connection.

On both my boilers it states what the length of the pilot flame should be and which way to turn the adjuster screw.

Perhaps my wife cannot turn up the gas burner underneath her saucepan?;)

freddi_2

The piiot light is not something you personally can turn down

The instructions instruct otherwise.

Cardew

When I checked mine it was like a flame thrower(after a Corgi fitter had serviced) so I turned it down about 4 years ago and halved the consumption.

lemontart

in the words of a gassafe compentant person only and manuals say not to as lets face it how many people actually know it they have done it right, gas is not something you mess with flames at incorrect size or not normal could be an indication of other problems be it a fault with the appliance or supply to appliance or supply to property and a suitably qualified person can test that. also in messing around you could be causing other probles and putting yourself , your loved ones and property at risk......................it is not worth the risk.

Flames to large on an appliance can put you at risk of co poisioning as the appliance has jets designed for a certain level to allow safe combustion and if too much coming through it may not burn properly hence co risk. low flames and the thing has other issues. So you have more pressing concerns that the cost the gas being used.

Get a suitably qualified person to look at it, not a risk I would take and one I would strongl advise against ,