pilot vs. electronic ignition

T. Hunt

I'm a general contractor not a plumber but interested in the lore of other trades. I replaced a steam boiler recently and though I requested electronic ignition (works great on my stovetop) the plumber recommended I go with a pilot light and leave it on all summer. Seemed odd to me. He said you can get condensation inside the boiler during the summer which can lead to rusting, the lit pilot prevents this. Was he pulling my leg?

Brad White_5

I have heard that

but discount it. The only condensation you would get is when the surface of the boiler exposed to the air has a lower temperature than the dewpoint of that air. Sure, might happen. But how often and for how long. Cast iron does rust but only to a point. (Manhole covers are cast iron and seem to last.) The surface and embedded graphite seem to protect the surface with only minor protective oxidation.

By contrast, I had a Burnham Series 2 hot water boiler for years. Electronic ignition and flue damper. Condensation? Not that I could tell or that ever made a problem.

Good news about having a standing pilot though is that in a power outage you will still have heat. Hope that helps.

Mitch_4

only if its a powerpile and a gravity system..

> but discount it. The only condensation you would

> get is when the surface of the boiler exposed to

> the air has a lower temperature than the dewpoint

> of that air. Sure, might happen. But how often

> and for how long. Cast iron does rust but only to

> a point. (Manhole covers are cast iron and seem

> to last.) The surface and embedded graphite seem

> to protect the surface with only minor protective

> oxidation.

>

> By contrast, I had a Burnham Series

> 2 hot water boiler for years. Electronic ignition

> and flue damper. Condensation? Not that I could

> tell or that ever made a problem.

>

> Good news

> about having a standing pilot though is that in a

> power outage you will still have heat. Hope that

> helps.



otherwise it means you have a pilot light in a powerfail.

24v valves still require electricity as do circulator pumps.

Just to clarify.

Mike

Mitch_4

only if its a powerpile and a gravity system..

otherwise it means you have a pilot light in a powerfail.

24v valves still require electricity as do circulator pumps.

Just to clarify.

Mike

Boilerpro_3

He's right on

I live in the humid midwest and there is a great difference in rust buildup on heat exchangers and then debris on the burners and burner tray when there is a pilot light. I have a large number of standing pilot steam boilers shich stay nice and clean year after year. I have one electronic ignition (all they had in stock midwinter) and it always has rust debris. I find this the case with water boilers too. I've looked at boilers with 3 years of use and no rust whatsover with standing pilot and stack damper. Rust build up on the heat exchanger and debris can only reduce efficiency. Also moisture and electronics don't get along well either.

Boilerpro