Energy Conservation | Pilot Lights | Continuous | Standing | HPBA

Energy Conservation

Pilot Light

HPBA has been advancing a revision to the voluntary industry standards for vented gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts that would achieve energy conservation, while considering the unique attributes, functions, and technical considerations of each appliance category. The CSA Group, setting technical appliance standards worldwide, has accepted HPBA’s request for change to phase out continuous pilot lights, sometimes referred to as “standing” pilots, by mid-2019––several years earlier than would be achievable through federal regulation. The standards are being revised independent of federal regulatory efforts, and will disallow continuous pilots on newly-manufactured products currently covered under the ANSI Z21.50 and Z21.88 standards. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) had been considering a regulatory action for banning continuous pilot lights on all heating and decorative gas appliances. On July 20, 2017, DOE published the semi-annual Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, with the rulemakings on gas hearth appliances listed as “withdrawn.” 

New technologies now exist that can more adequately replace continuous pilots, which provided an important safety feature, but have required consumers to manually extinguish the pilot on their gas appliances. This phase out saves homeowners money and achieves energy conservation when appliances are not in frequent use. Plus, homeowners can now focus solely on enjoying the warmth and/or ambiance of their gas fireplaces, stoves, or inserts among family and friends with added convenience.

View HPBA's position statement.

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