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View Full Version : Pilot light size on gas boiler.


t56tr
Nov 28, 2009, 10:59 PM
I have a 110k BTU peerless gas hw boiler, from 1990.

For some reason I have become curious as to if the pilot size is normal as of late.

One thing I have noticed is that you can hear it - Pffffffffffffffft (once you get about 2 feet from the boiler). Sounds kind of like a propane torch set very low.

Also, it seems big. Like an inch by an inch (or perhaps a bit more). Color is about 97% blue with a little yellow in it. It flares out of some kind of jet, and there is a small rod in the middle of it glowing cherry red.

Finally, on my gas meter, one of the dials is labeled "half foot". With nothing else using gas except the pilot of the hot water heater, you can actually see the needle move (verrrry slowly though).

So is this normal or is something up?

hvac1000
Nov 29, 2009, 02:14 AM
Actually it is normal and the top of the flame will have a small yellow tip on top of a nice blue flame so it must be adjusted correctly.

There are change over kits to convert your boiler or any standing pilot furnace over to spark ignition. This will prevent the pilot from burning all the time and save a few bucks on gas. I only suggest that they be installed by a true HVAC professional since modifications to the pilot and wiring has to be done to install it.