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Heating
The Simple Comfort of a Gas Fireplace
It’s so easy to add heat to your home in the with a gas fireplace. Just flick a switch or press a button for immediate heat.
Unlike a woodburning fireplace, there’s no need for firewood or sweeping up ashes. But like any other natural gas appliance, these fireplaces need routine tune-ups to help them run efficiently and avoid malfunctions.
If your gas fireplace isn’t working properly, see if our Troubleshooting Tips below help. If not, the Experts at Total Home Comfort can take care of any model and get the warmth and beauty of your fireplace back in your home.
These Tips May Help Get Your Gas Fireplace Working
Fireplace Won’t Start
If Your Fireplace Won’t Start
There are a variety of issues that can keep a fireplace from starting. Try these tips, and if they don’t get your fireplace going, we can help. Remember that accessing some of your fireplace’s parts and controls will require you to remove the ornamental plate beneath your fireplace.
- Tripped breaker? See if there are thrown breakers in your home’s electrical panel.
- Is the gas shut off? Make sure the valve is in the “open” position.
- Is the pilot light extinguished? If so, reignite it according to manufacturer instructions. Tighten the vent cap to stop drafts from extinguishing it.
- Pilot light won’t stay on? There could be a problem with the thermocouple, the metal safety sensor that controls gas flow.
- Pilot light is on, but fireplace won’t light? It could be the thermopile, a metal piece that changes heat to electricity to open the gas valve.
If the thermocouple or thermopile seems to be the problem, contact us to help.
If your fireplace is making odd sounds or smells
- Rumbling or roaring noises? Adjust the flame; if that doesn’t solve it, let the burners fully cool and then vacuum them.
- Grinding or shrieking sounds? Trust Total Home Comfort to fix your blower or install a new one.
- Odd smells? If you smell burning wires or something like rotten eggs, shut off the fireplace, open windows in your home, and call us immediately. Otherwise, try cleaning the fireplace’s interior and flue using the steps below.
Our Advice for Cleaning Your Gas Fireplace
Follow these regular cleaning steps to help your gas fireplace run more efficiently and to avoid costly breakdowns. Cleaning may possibly even extend its life.
- Confirm that your fireplace is completely cool.
- Rotate the gas valve to the “off” position.
- Take out the gas logs to examine them for cracks. Clean them with a soft-bristled brush.
- Remove the lava rocks, vacuum them separately, and use your brush to dust off the soot.
- Vacuum the interior of the fireplace using a hose attachment.
- Clean the internal edges with a wet cloth, using warm, soapy water to remove dust and soot accumulation.
- Return and resettle lava rocks, then the logs.
- Clean the glass casing with a product specially formulated for fireplace glass and let it dry. Products like Windex are not recommended; they can scratch the glass or cause it to shatter.
- If you have a vented gas fireplace, check the outside vent and clear any debris such as leaves or bird nests.
- Ensure that your carbon monoxide detector is working correctly.
Schedule Annual Maintenance Today
Once your fireplace is heating again, schedule regular maintenance with us. These checks can potentially find trouble before they begin. We’ll test your components for damage. We’ll also make certain there aren’t any leaks and that pressurization levels are right.