Turning off Boiler

TR

Josh,

I am just a homeowner but here is a quick summary of what I have learned from the experts on HH.

1) Shutting down the boiler/pilot light may not save you all that much money. I shut off the pilot light on my 16 yr old boiler and I save about $25 per month - which I will put toward the cost of the annual service.
2) Leaving the pilot on is good for the boiler. It prevents rust and keeps bugs out of the boiler where they like to build nests.
3) If you do shut down you may have problems when you restart your boiler. Leaks, pilot clogged, etc.

My suggestion: use the Find a Professional section under the Resources tab and have someone clean/tune/check out your entire system. They will know where you can save real money and remain "safe at night". You have an old boiler that may not have been looked at in years.

TR

Joshua Sunshine_2

Turning off AGP boiler

Hi,
I just moved into a new house last month. I have a very old AGP (American Gas Products) boiler, powering a hot water heating system. The heat is off on the thermostat, but the boiler is make a lot of noise and is warm to the touch. Is there an off switch I can use for the summer months? What would it look like? There is a black electrical box with a fuse inside that seems to be attached to have cables running to it from the boiler. This black box has an external lever labeled on/off. I tried switching it off earlier and nothing seemed to happen (I waited about 10 seconds before switching it back on). Should I also remove the fuse? Is there something else I should be looking for.

Steamhead (in transit)

What you probably hear

is the pilot light. Back in the 1920s which is when I think your boiler might have been made, pilot lights were HUGE. Fuel was cheap back then.

I'd look at having that boiler replaced with something more efficient. If it's what I think it is, it's a favorite of gas utilities.

Your contractor should do a heat-loss calculation of the house to select the size of the replacement boiler, so it won't be oversized. Oversizing wastes fuel.

How about taking a pic of the boiler and posting it here?

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Joshua Sunshine_2

Pictures and Question

Pictures are attached of the boiler, the black electrical box, and two parts on the gas line. Which do I need to turn in order to shut off the pilot?
-Josh

Shark

turning off the pilot..

Hi Josh, if you really want to shut off the pilot take a look at your second picture (0661) You'll notice a small valve with the letter "B" on it .. right now its in line with the silver colored pilot tubing, turn the "B valve" one quarter turn. You will notice the noise from the pilot flame will stop. I'd also turn off the power in the black box. If you have any further questions let us know.

Joshua Sunshine_2

Why not turn off the pilot?

Thanks! Shark, you say in your message "if you really want to shut off the pilot then..." Is there any reason not to turn off the pilot? Is it hard to get the boiler up and running again if the pilot is off?
-Josh

Joshua Sunshine_2

Really old is different

Thanks for the response TR. I'm concerned that my case is very different from yours. My boiler is MUCH older than 16 years old (the best guess of the inspector was that it was original to the house ... almost 80 years old). I also suspect that my pilot is costing me more than $25 a month. Does someone in this forum know these old AGP boilers and know if it is okay to turn off the pilot?
-Josh

oil-2-4-6-gas

yes turn off the pilot,turn off the main gas --disconnect electrical,disconnect piping,remove flue pipe and REMOVE the Boiler --replace with a correctly sized boiler --the difference in energy usage with a more efficient,correctly sized boiler will pay for it self in a few years --