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Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
#6839041
07/30/17 09:46 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257 |
Should you leave the pilot light on your central air furnace on or off during the off season?
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6839085
07/30/17 10:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,246
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,246 |
My A/C guy said I should turn it and the gas off all summer... I usually don't...
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6840011
07/31/17 05:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,777
nak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,777 |
Gas off until you get close to needing heating. When it gets cool and you are thinking about lighting it, that is the best time for annual maint on the inside unit. Bleach down the drain to clear away the slime that has formed over the summer, clean the blower cage and the AC coils, lube the blower motor (if it has oil ports), inspect the vent pipe and heat exchange, give the ducts a look over from leaks and kinks.
We all need to practice Whoa more.
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6842205
08/02/17 01:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
LFD2037
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952 |
If it's your only device that uses gas you may as well turn it off. If you have other devices that use gas then turn the valve off to the unit. No sense in putting all that extra use on the thermal coupling and other parts. Just my opinion and I'm not a professional gas guy.
R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten! 10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6842268
08/02/17 02:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,833
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,833 |
If it is old enough to have a standing pilot, it is has exceeded its life expectancy.
Water is a byproduct of combustion. If the pilot is left burning, the moisture from the pilot flame, under certain conditions, can cause rust on the main burner and heat exchanger.
It is usually a combination of events that caused this theory.
IE. Fuel rich pilot flame, low cooling set point causing return air to be below dew point, furnace located in unconditioned space.
Therefore it is generally considered best to turn pilot off and deal with relighting in fall.
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Lazyjack]
#6842666
08/02/17 06:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
LFD2037
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952 |
If it is old enough to have a standing pilot, it is has exceeded its life expectancy.
Water is a byproduct of combustion. If the pilot is left burning, the moisture from the pilot flame, under certain conditions, can cause rust on the main burner and heat exchanger.
It is usually a combination of events that caused this theory.
IE. Fuel rich pilot flame, low cooling set point causing return air to be below dew point, furnace located in unconditioned space.
Therefore it is generally considered best to turn pilot off and deal with relighting in fall.
Drops mic. Moonwalks off stage.
R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten! 10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6843085
08/02/17 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
Off. That small flame produces a lot of heat. Thermocouple needs to be checked and unit cleaned every fall.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: LFD2037]
#6843088
08/02/17 11:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
If it is old enough to have a standing pilot, it is has exceeded its life expectancy.
Water is a byproduct of combustion. If the pilot is left burning, the moisture from the pilot flame, under certain conditions, can cause rust on the main burner and heat exchanger.
It is usually a combination of events that caused this theory.
IE. Fuel rich pilot flame, low cooling set point causing return air to be below dew point, furnace located in unconditioned space.
Therefore it is generally considered best to turn pilot off and deal with relighting in fall.
Drops mic. Moonwalks off stage. Yep. Just got a new one the other day with electronic ignition...SWEET.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6864078
08/21/17 09:30 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,527
ssgp2
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,527 |
If it has a steady pilot light, it does not have an inducer blower with a proving switch that would prevent the main burner(s) from lighting should the flue pipe (or cap) become restricted due to bird/hornet nests. A standing pilot light will prevent said nests. Needless to say that lit main burners with a restricted/clogged flue will result in carbon monoxide within the living space (I can personally attest to this scenario). This becomes a maintenance issue: leave the pilot on and decrease the life of the thermocouple and the heat exchanger or be dang sure and vigilant to ensure an unrestricted flue /vent system. Best and safest thing to do is replace that type of old gas furnace.
Friend, I wouldn't harm thee for all the world, but thou art standing where I am about to shoot.
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6864096
08/21/17 09:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
Stays on... sensors around it just in case
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Re: Furnace pilot light- on or off during the off season
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6869066
08/26/17 02:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856
REALKILLER
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856 |
Not sure, but a water heater has vac on the dial for a reason. Vacations!! My buddy left his on high and came back from a hunting trip to a flooded house. The metal water heater exploded because it could not release its heat pressure.
Recently got a gym membership, strange folks! I like to show up the roid zombies with my full motion curls with the 55lb. bells. Not their cheater short stroked light weights. It's holarious.
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