Gas fire pilot light

dilbarr

The gas fire spark pilot lighting system has failed and we are informed that the replacement is no longer made. it will cost about £400 to replace the fire and fitter charge, as yet unknown. How much gas is used if the pilot light is left on? 

sandy700

mine used to use 5 kWh a day so approx 60p a day at current prices

MattMattMattUK

dilbarr said:

The gas fire spark pilot lighting system has failed and we are informed that the replacement is no longer made. it will cost about £400 to replace the fire and fitter charge, as yet unknown. How much gas is used if the pilot light is left on? 

Is it allowed to be left on, or will it be condemned as unsafe due to the inability to automatically re-light? 

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Take a photo of the meter before going to bed, shut off all other gas appliances overnight, leave the gas fire pilot light on and take another photo of the meter first thing in the morning.

Multiply the difference in readings by 11.1 if it's a metric meter or by 31.5 if it's hundreds of cubic feet to get a near-enough figure in kWh.  Multiply the kWh usage by the price of a kWh and you'll have the cost of the pilot light for the relevant number of hours.

matelodave

dilbarr said:

The gas fire spark pilot lighting system has failed and we are informed that the replacement is no longer made. it will cost about £400 to replace the fire and fitter charge, as yet unknown. How much gas is used if the pilot light is left on? 

What make and model of gas fire have you got. Have you checked on Google etc to see if the item is available - you may be surprised what is still available if you put a bit of effort in rather than just accepting what the fitted says.

Chrysalis

dilbarr said:

The gas fire spark pilot lighting system has failed and we are informed that the replacement is no longer made. it will cost about £400 to replace the fire and fitter charge, as yet unknown. How much gas is used if the pilot light is left on? 

Mine uses about 3.5KwH a day.  But this I assume will vary from boiler to boiler.

Gerry1

MattMattMattUK said:

dilbarr said:

The gas fire spark pilot lighting system has failed and we are informed that the replacement is no longer made. it will cost about £400 to replace the fire and fitter charge, as yet unknown. How much gas is used if the pilot light is left on? 

Is it allowed to be left on, or will it be condemned as unsafe due to the inability to automatically re-light? 

By definition, pilot lights are designed to be left on.  They usually have a valve operated by a bi-metallic strip or thermocouple so that the supply is shut off if the pilot light goes out.

jvjack

Sounds like you can still still light the pilot. I use a long gas lighter from poundstretchers or anywhere and turn off fire fully till next use. And not use click knob.
My clickable knob failed , the engineer repaired it but said theres only so many clicks of life as the rod wares out..
Not sure why a pilot light would be best to keep on. 
 
 

Mstty

Am I wrong in thinking (I don't have a gas fire) but there is an isolator tap to turn off?

Just turn this off and light the pilot light and hey presto no extra cost?

jvjack

Ah i said "Not sure why a pilot light would be best to keep on." 
Could be to stop waring out that clicking rod.