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Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burner’s modern furnaces. One can still purchase a gas furnace or water heater with the old standing pilot ignition systems. These systems have been proven reliable and safe over time.
However, why would someone want to purchase a gas furnace or water with a standing pilot ignition system rather than purchase a gas furnace or water heater with an electronic ignition system? Let’s define the two different types of gas furnace or water heater ignition systems. Then we will surmise based on that why someone would purchase a standing pilot gas ignition system over an electronic ignition system.
Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot
Standing Pilot Gas Systems
White Rodgers Electronic Ignition Module
Standing pilot ignition systems use a pilot light that is lit 24/7 to ignite the main burners. A standing pilot ignition system has a pilot light assembly and a thermocouple or thermopile. The two, thermocouple and thermopile are different but produce the same result. That is always proving the flame. The flame keeps the thermocouple or thermopile hot. When heat is applied to a thermocouple or thermopile they produce a very small amount of electrical current. That keeps a solenoid in the gas valve open via a pilot light that stays lit 24/7.
If the fire or pilot light ever goes out on the thermocouple it stops producing this small amount of current. The valve in the gas valve closes preventing any gas from being delivered to the main burners. Sometimes it is the thermocouple however, sometimes it is something else that causes the pilot to go out. It can be something as simple as a breeze that blows the pilot out.
Thermocouples and Thermopiles | Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot
Most often, if there is a problem with the standing pilot gas ignition system, it is with the thermocouple or thermopile. These flame-proofing components need to replacing when that happens. However, there are situations where the pilot gas line gets fouled or clogged with debris or trash. In that case, the blockage will not permit the proper amount of gas to the pilot tip. A thorough cleaning of the pilot assembly is in order in this situation.
Once complete, they relight the pilot light and the furnace is returned to service. Simple enough and plenty of spare parts available when needed. Nearly every HVAC Tech and plumber carries thermocouples. Thermocouples are also available at most hardware stores. Or you can purchase a spare thermocouple here.
There are also those rare occasions when the gas valve goes bad and needs replacing. That can happen, especially when the gas valve for the standing pilot gas ignition system gets submerged underwater. Or it is located in moist spaces. Places where corrosive effects from moisture can occur on the gas valve. Gas valves are durable, but if submerged underwater or overly excessive moisture conditions, they will corrode. That is the case, with most metals or any gas valve will, in conditions of that nature.
Time-Tested Reliability | Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot
The standing pilot gas valve, the thermocouple, and the thermopile are all time-tested components. They are reliable and effective to safely light the main burners of a gas furnace, boilers, or water heaters. While the standing pilot gas ignition systems are prone to problems with proper maintenance, the standing pilot gas ignition systems are reliable for many years. Especially if proper and routine maintenance happens on these systems.
The downside to the standing pilot, gas ignition system, is they require a pilot light all the time to function. That means the standing pilot gas ignition system needs to use gas all the time. Another downside to the standing pilot, gas ignition system, is it adds heat to the system even in the summer. This will cause your air conditioner to work a little harder to remove the heat. The heat added by the continuously burning flame of the standing pilot light inside the furnace.
In conclusion, the standing pilot gas ignition system is a safe method of flame proving. The standing pilot gas ignition system is reliable and time-tested with few problems. Especially with proper maintenance. The standing pilot ignition system is not as efficient as an electronic gas ignition system. It uses gas even during off cycles of the main burner. The standing pilot ignition system also adds heat to the system even in the summer. That causes the overall system to suffer when it comes to efficiency.
Electronic Ignition Systems | Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot
Electronic Ignition has also been proven safe and reliable for igniting the main burners. Safe and reliable ignition for a gas furnace, water heater, or boiler system which uses gas. Electronic ignition only utilizes energy when the furnace, boiler, or water heater calls for heat.
Most modern electronic ignition systems use direct ignition to the main burner. However, there are indirect electronic ignition systems that will automatically light a pilot. Once that pilot flame proves, the electronic ignition system turns the gas onto the main burners. The pilot light can then light the main burners.
An electronic gas ignition system utilizes solid-state controls for igniting the flame and proving the flame. Electronic ignition gas systems do not use a thermocouple or thermopile to prove the flame. Electronic ignition gas ignition systems use a flame sensor that measures microamps to prove the flame. When the flame sensor becomes fouled, it can prevent the proper amount of microamps from being read by the electronic control.
In this case, the flame sensor needs cleaning. The electronic ignition gas ignition system has been proven to be reliable and safe. It provides ignition in many furnaces, boilers, and water heaters all over the world for gas ignition.
Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - The Final Analysis
Electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient than standing pilot gas ignition systems. The electronic ignition gas ignition systems utilize energy only when needed. These systems only utilize electronic ignition only on a call for heat or a call for the gas furnace, gas-fired boiler, or gas-fired water heater to fire. That makes electronic ignition gas ignition systems more efficient than standing pilot systems.
After this, the conclusion is that the electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient and just as reliable as the standing pilot gas ignition system. Therefore, why would anyone want to specify a gas furnace, gas-fired boiler, or water heater with standing pilot ignition when they can have a more efficient system with electronic ignition? We can only surmise, but here are the possibilities:
- Cost – a standing pilot gas ignition system is cheaper versus the electronic ignition system
- Technical – the standing pilot gas ignition systems are easier to troubleshoot.
- Some people don’t want to try new technology. They have grown comfortable with the older and reliable standing-pilot gas ignition systems
- A standing pilot requires no power to operate. The thermocouple or thermopile provides the power to the gas valve. When the power goes out, you can still have hot water. Possibly heat, but only if you have a steam boiler with a gravity-fed condensate piping return for the boiler. If you have a standing pilot hot water boiler or furnace, you are out of luck. Just as you would be for the electronic ignition under any circumstances for a power failure.
Conclusion
These are the possibilities. For those who prefer to have a standing pilot gas ignition system versus the electronic ignition gas systems. If you have other valid reasons why people select a less efficient but reliable standing pilot gas ignition system over an electronic system leave your comment below. Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot comments below this article.
Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Additional Resources
Check out or Gas Furnace’s category for more information on electronic ignition systems for gas furnaces.
Questions from our readers:
What is a standing pilot ignition system?
The thermocouple device, when heated, provides a small amount of voltage to a pilot solenoid valve. If the flame goes out, the voltage stops, and the pilot valve closes. That is a method of proving flame. With no safe method of proving a flame, it is possible to allow large volumes of gas into the area around the furnace. Thus the name, safety pilot.
What is a millivolt ignition system?
Can you convert a standing pilot ignition system to electronic ignition?
Yes, you can convert those systems. We have covered this in another article. How to convert standing pilot to electronic ignition.
Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot
The Standing Pilot keeps the water heater from freezing while I am away from my mountain cabin for weeks at a time in the winter months? I drain the pipes in the cabin when I leave, but I don’t have to drain the water heater. The pilot’s flame is enough to keep the water in the tank from freezing.
I read that the electronic igx systems that have automatic dampers may be more efficient but if used on a masonry chimney they can damage the flue since when pilot goes off and the damper closes flue gases in the chimney will cool and condense water vapor in the flue. I think it will also cause the condensed water to be acidic due to the flue gas components.
Flue gases are acidic and every masonry chimney should have a liner inside it. It is code in many jurisdictions to have a chimney liner in masonry chimneys that are connected to gas appliances for the very reason you describe.
I have a standing pilot hot water heater installed in my attic and my house survived the Texas winter power outage of Feb. 2021. My house was without power for 55 hours with the outside temp dipping down to 11 Deg F one night. I did not lose water or gas and was still able to keep hot water flowing in the house and a fireplace running steady. Between the standing pilot HW heater and the fireplace keeping the house above 50 deg., my pipes did not freeze and burst. I was extremely on cold but being able to shower and cook made it tolerable if not survivable.
My hot water heater is 26 years old and I will be replacing it with a standing pilot type for sure.
Same experience. But now I need to find another new standing pilot 50 gallon replacement. Does anyone still make them?
I did not know our supplier installed a new hot water heater with electric igniter (still has a gas pilot). I can tell you why NOT to have one – one more thing to go wrong. Our old hot water heater was easy to relight when the pilot went out. Went down to relight today and it won’t light (it’s only 6 months old)! Not good to have to take a cold shower for work in the morning when it’s 20 degrees outside.
I have read that a standing pilot adds just enough heat to lower humidity and reduce corrosion during idle periods. That reduces corrosion and can add years to the life of a furnace. The lifetime extension offsets the cost of gas through the summer. My observations seem to bear this out.
Thanks.
No one is mentioning what if your electricity goes out. Mine has been out for 5 days so far. Pilot light systems still provide heat as usual. Electronic ignition systems = no heat without electricity.
Only for a water heater. With no electricity, a furnace or boiler will not work. Furnace needs a blower and a boiler needs a pump.
Does a pilot light help to heat water in the tank? Or does the draft suck heat out the chimney?
My old furnace ran more than 20 years with a pilot light, the new furnace needs the ignitor replaced, which I couldn’t buy.
The new water heaters have a flammable vapor sensor, which are possibly too sensitive, and I can not buy them at local dealers, if at all. I varnish some wood every winter, so the windows are closed, and have read that even the cat’s litter box will cause this failure.
Thoughts?
The pilot light adds a negligible amount of heat. The rest of the things you describe are safety features based on problems from the past. Call your local plumber or HVAC company for help.
Where can I purchase a standing pilot hot water heater
Lowes, Home Depot, your local plumber, your local hardware store.
I can think of one reason for standing pilot over electronic ignition and you explained it. A standing pilot does not require power to operate. Given that one major detail the standing pilot would be preferred because in some areas, hurricanes, snow etc the power goes out. The standing pilot would still give you hot water for baths and other things that would require hot water.
Yes, absolutely correct, that would work for hot water but not a forced-air furnace.
Will need to replace standing pilot 50 gal. water heater soon. Why pay utility for a pilot light burning 24/7? Have Generac standby power in case of electronic ignition systems failure due to power outage. Furnace has electronic ignition. No failure in 7 years. Stove has electronic ignition for each burner and oven. Every thing runs on NG.