How Much Gas Does a Standing Pilot Light Waste?
Published: July 23, 2026 — BC Wide Home Services Ltd, doing business as BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning — Greater Vancouver, BC
Pilot Light Consumption
A standing pilot light consumes approximately 600-900 BTU per hour, or about 500-800 cubic feet of natural gas per month (5-8 GJ annually). At current FortisBC rates including carbon tax, that is $60-120/year for a flame you may not need.
Electronic Ignition Savings
Modern electronic ignition furnaces use zero gas when not heating. The intermittent pilot lights only when needed, saving the 5-8 GJ/year that standing pilots waste. The savings alone do not justify furnace replacement, but they are a factor when your furnace needs replacement for other reasons.
Pilot Light Safety
The pilot light serves a safety function — it is also used to generate power for the thermocouple that keeps the gas valve open. Do not extinguish the pilot light on an older furnace unless you understand the safety implications. Some pilots also power the thermostat circuit.