To help consumers conserve energy, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) and its members have begun a three-year initiative to phase out the use of continuous pilot lights (standing pilots) in newly manufactured vented gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts.

Continuous pilot lights have provided an automatic, reliable mechanism for stopping the flow of gas when no flame is present, but consumers have always had to remember to extinguish pilot lights manually when they weren’t needed—until now.

Technologies on the market now eliminate this step for consumers, offering increased ease of operation while eliminating unnecessary energy consumption when appliances are not in frequent use. Ryan Carroll, HPBA director of government affairs, says, “The HPBA is always looking for ways to ensure that our industry’s standards are evolving with consumers’ needs. That’s why we are working to ensure that the certification standards for vented gas fireplaces, inserts, and stoves are revised for the further support of energy conservation.”

On June 2, the HPBA submitted a proposal to CSA Group, the entity setting the technical standards worldwide for gas fireplace products. The proposal seeks to amend the certification standards to disallow continuous pilots on newly manufactured products after the effective date of the amended standard.

The HPBA is an active member of CSA Group. Its participation has led to other standard updates benefiting consumers, including amendments requiring certain gas fireplaces manufactured after December 31, 2014, to have protective barriers installed to help reduce the risk of burns from hot glass.