The gradual phasing out of pilot lights in gas appliances began in the late 1970s and continued through the 1980s and 1990s. The primary reason for this change was the need for more energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Pilot lights were small flames that burned continuously in older gas appliances to ignite the main burner whenever the appliance was turned on. These pilot lights consumed gas constantly, even when the appliance was not in use, leading to wasted energy and higher utility bills.
As technology advanced, manufacturers developed more efficient ignition systems, such as:
Standing Pilot with Electronic Ignition: This system used a continuously burning pilot light, but instead of relying on a thermocouple to sense the pilot flame and activate the gas valve, an electronic ignition module was used to spark the pilot light when needed. This reduced the gas consumption compared to traditional pilot lights.
Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI): This system introduced in the 1980s used an electronic spark or glow plug to ignite the pilot flame only when the appliance was turned on, eliminating the need for a continuous pilot light. This further improved energy efficiency.
Direct Ignition: In the 1990s and beyond, many gas appliances moved to direct ignition systems, where the main burner is lit directly by an electronic spark or hot surface igniter, without the need for a separate pilot flame at all. This eliminated the need for a pilot light entirely, saving even more energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The transition away from pilot lights to more efficient ignition systems was driven by energy efficiency regulations and consumer demand for appliances that were both environmentally friendly and cost-effective to operate. Today, modern gas appliances typically use electronic ignition systems, and pilot lights are becoming increasingly rare in new appliances.