Gas fire has permanent pilot light - should we use it?

laxeylady

We have been in new house a year now and the gas fire in dining room would not light yesterday so we found instructions for it, only to find it has a permanent pilot light. The chap we bought it off showed us how to light the fire, and we have been following his method - igniting it each time. Is it safe to leave the pilot lit? I remember when I was a kid our gas cooker had one and if it went out the spot stunk of gas. Do you leave yours lit? Hubby gave it a clean out yesterday so its back to lighting nicely, and we have left the pilot on when we are in house, but wary of leaving it on all the time.

ormus

there should be a failsafe device fitted. if the pilot light goes out, the gas valve shuts off.

27col

The pilot light on our gas wall fire has been on since it was installed at least 8 years ago. the fire has only been used about twice. It would never have occurred to me not to have it alight all the time. A bit wasteful of gas, but what the hell.

paddedjohn

due to lack of use it would be advisable to get the fire serviced/checked out by a gas safe engineer before you use it.

gas4you

Your pilot will be wasting approx 75p-£1 a week gas if you leave it on all the time.

laxeylady

Thanks chaps - will get it serviced then start using it. I guess that igniting it twice a day for lord knows how long could have caused wear and tear on the ignition thingy that is only meant to be used to relight the pilot?

Sorry Gas4you our posts crossed -so you would not recommend it? Just from a cost perspective?

gas4you

Yes thats all.