Posted by Harold Kestenholz - Hydronic Network on August 20, 2001 at 18:42:27:
In Reply to: Standing Pilot or Intermittent Pilot? posted by jr on August 20, 2001 at 14:20:48:
There is a small penalty in gas usage when using a standing pilot, perhaps $50 per year. However, this expenditure can often be a savings, as electronic ignitions often fail within 5 years and can cost $200 or more to replace. A standing pilot keeps spiders and other creatures away and does have a drying effect by making the dew point of the metal a little higher so moisture does not settle. There is hardly a price advantage in either - it is a personal choice. If the boiler also makes hot water in a tankless coil, there is no advantage to the electronic ignition.