Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Gas furnace pilot light; conversion to electronic ignition possible?
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slomom
11-10-04, 05:31 PM
Older wall furnace (ca 1975) but adequate for heating small apt. Pilot light consuming quite a bit of natural gas. Is it practical, feasible or possible to convert it to an electronic ignition? (Brand unknown at this writing)
Great service you provide, and I thank you.
Great service you provide, and I thank you.
hvac4u
11-10-04, 05:43 PM
i doubt it, knowing brand and model will help
there is a pilot relight kit available, will spark the pilot back on if it goes out. have not used one in many years, but sure they are still out there
there is a pilot relight kit available, will spark the pilot back on if it goes out. have not used one in many years, but sure they are still out there
slomom
11-10-04, 05:47 PM
Pilot light stays on OK, just using lots of gas. Would like to convert to electronic ignition if possible and practical. Thanks.
hvac4u
11-10-04, 05:50 PM
need make and model to see if it is possible
Sharp Advice
11-10-04, 05:54 PM
Hello slomom. Welcome to the Heating Furnaces forum topic and the Do It Yourself Web Site.
Misconception and contrary to popular belief, pilot flames do not consume much energy. Most provide an unknow and or unseen benefit. They keep moisture of the fireboxes which can rust up. Even in wall furnaces inside a house. Amount used is rather small amount even during heating season.
To answer your questions;
Possible, yes. Possible to convert but not cost effective nor easy.
Feasible, yes but not easily.
Practical, no. Not in my opinion.
Conversion parts and or kits for untis of that ara not available.
Would have to retrofit and customize currently available one to fit.
Not so easy to do.
And electic power is needed. Not likely available at the existing heater. Units in that ara did not have forced air fans like some models of wall heaters have today. Would than have to have electrical power brought to that location by a licensed electrical contractor.
For reasons stated and based upon the information you provided, any conversion would not be cost effective.
Misconception and contrary to popular belief, pilot flames do not consume much energy. Most provide an unknow and or unseen benefit. They keep moisture of the fireboxes which can rust up. Even in wall furnaces inside a house. Amount used is rather small amount even during heating season.
To answer your questions;
Possible, yes. Possible to convert but not cost effective nor easy.
Feasible, yes but not easily.
Practical, no. Not in my opinion.
Conversion parts and or kits for untis of that ara not available.
Would have to retrofit and customize currently available one to fit.
Not so easy to do.
And electic power is needed. Not likely available at the existing heater. Units in that ara did not have forced air fans like some models of wall heaters have today. Would than have to have electrical power brought to that location by a licensed electrical contractor.
For reasons stated and based upon the information you provided, any conversion would not be cost effective.
slomom
11-10-04, 06:26 PM
OK, looks like not a viable option. Thank you very much for your time!
mattison
11-10-04, 07:50 PM
We're here to help.
If you've ever seen an old furnace that was converted from coal to gas then you'de see a waste on pilot gas. Usually they had 2 pilots and they burned about 4-6 inches high and maybe 3/4" diameter.
If you've ever seen an old furnace that was converted from coal to gas then you'de see a waste on pilot gas. Usually they had 2 pilots and they burned about 4-6 inches high and maybe 3/4" diameter.