Have older wall gas heater (stewart warner saf-aire). It does not seem to have a way to turn it off (for the summer). Also am trying to replace the old thermostat. Bought a honeywell heat only simple termostat. Went to install and cannot find a way to turn off power to the thermostat like the directions say I should. Shut off the main breaker and the unit still lights when I turn the temp way up.

Is there a special type of thermostat required?
Could the unit possibly be hard-wired in some way that bypasses the breaker box? (doesn't seem like it could).
Am I wrong in assuming that the power is still on if turning the temp up on the current thermometer causes the unit to come on?

How can I turn this off for summer? It gives off heat all the time, I assume from the pilot, but owner said the neighbor told her there was no way to turn it off. Should I just be looking for a gas valve to shut off so the pilot goes out? I'm assuming that is the heat that is always coming out, even during the summer.
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Assuming hubbie knew some way to turn it off, but he died 3 years ago and room has been mostly unusable since then.

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Originally Posted by tandybear

have older wall gas heater (stewart warner saf-aire). It does not seem to have a way to turn it off (for the summer). also am trying to replace the old thermostat. bought a honeywell heat only simple termostat. went to install and cannot find a way to turn off power to the thermostat like the directions say I should. shut off the main breaker and the unit still lights when I turn the temp way up.

is there a special type of thermostat required?
could the unit possibly be hard-wired in some way that bypasses the breaker box? (doesn't seem like it could).
am I wrong in assuming that the power is still on if turning the temp up on the current thermometer causes the unit to come on?

how can I turn this off for summer? it gives off heat all the time, I assume from the pilot, but owner said the neighbor told her there was no way to turn it off. should I just be looking for a gas valve to shut off so the pilot goes out? I'm assuming that is the heat that is always coming out, even during the summer.
\
assuming hubbie knew some way to turn it off, but he died 3 years ago and room has been mostly unusable since then.

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That is a very old heater but they work well. Your heater does not use household electric that is why you cannot turn it off. It generates its own electric with a mllivolt generator that is next to and has the pilot flame hit it. The flame hits the milivolt generator and it generates a voltage for the gas valve and control system. If you turn the pilot off it will stop generating electric so the controls will not work. You might also need to find a thermostat that says it is compatible with the milivolt system unless the new thermostat says it is. Remember to light the pilot in the fall so the heater will work. If this is to confusing to you then you will need to call for ON SITE help. Good luck.
PS years ago the milivolt generator was also called a thermopile (not to be confused with a thermocouple).

THANK YOU! I could have researched myself on the web forever without finding out this info!!

My elderly friend thanks you :-)

One additional question: Do I understand that I can turn off the pilot and somehow that also will turn off the gas so there is no risk? Is there also some gas valve/control in the unit itself that I should look for to turn off gas? I want to HELP my friend, not blow her up! **LOL**

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tandybear

THANK YOU! I could have researched myself on the web forever without finding out this info!!!!!!

My elderly friend thanks you :-)

One additional question: Do I understand that I can turn off the pilot and somehow that also will turn off the gas so there is no risk? Is there also some gas valve/control in the unit itself that I should look for to turn off gas? I want to HELP my friend, not blow her up! **LOL**

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Turn off the main gas feed to the unit. That is you best bet.