Keep Your Gas Fireplace In Peak Condition

As the cooler months approach in the fall, it’s wise to start thinking about gas fireplace maintenance. Regular maintenance will help keep your fireplace operating at its best, ensuring your home’s comfort and safety. 

Gas fireplaces provide a convenient and environmentally- friendly way to heat your house, offering instant warmth and ambiance with the flick of a switch. Proper upkeep enhances the fireplace’s efficiency, reduces energy costs, and safeguards against potential hazards. 

At Heat Savers Home Comfort, we know that a well-maintained gas fireplace provides homeowners with ease of use and peace of mind. Our comprehensive maintenance services ensure that your fireplace remains in optimal condition, delivering reliable performance and safety for you and your loved ones.

Come along as we explore the details, providing a comprehensive guide to gas fireplace maintenance and its importance in keeping homes safe and warm.

Getting To Know Your Gas Fireplace

1. Natural Gas vs. Propane:

• Natural Gas Fireplaces: These fireplaces are connected to a home’s natural gas supply line. They are convenient and typically have a continuous fuel supply as long as the gas service is uninterrupted. 
• Propane Gas Fireplaces: Propane fireplaces use propane gas stored in tanks on the property or nearby. They offer flexibility in installation since they do not require a direct connection to a natural gas line. 

Why Maintenance is Crucial

Regular maintenance of gas fireplaces is extremely important for ensuring their safe operation and keeping them running as efficiently as possible, reducing gas bills and avoiding costly repairs that could occur from unchecked malfunctions.

5 simple tasks that homeowners can do to help in the upkeep of their fireplace include: 

1. Clean the glass and interior surfaces: Use a non-abrasive glass cleaner specifically designed for fireplaces to avoid scratching the glass.
2. Inspect and clean the logs or media: Check the ceramic logs for damage and gently clean them to remove dust and debris.
3. Vacuum the fireplace interior: Use a brush attachment to remove dust, pet hair, and other debris from the fireplace interior. 
4. Test the igniter and pilot light: Ensure the igniter is functioning correctly and the pilot light is burning steadily.
5. Replace batteries in the remote and thermostat: Ensure the batteries in the remote control and thermostat are fresh. Weak batteries can affect the operation of these controls, leading to inconsistent performance.

It’s Wise To Call A Professional

Although there are a few things homeowners can take on themselves when it comes to maintenance, it’s essential to recognize that when dealing with a complex appliance like a gas fireplace (something that could directly impact your health and safety), choosing to have your fireplace serviced by a professional is the safest and most effective option.

A professional service inspection from Heat Savers Home Comfort takes an in-depth look at all of the ins and outs of your gas fireplace and ensures it’ll function correctly and safely for years to come. Some of the details that will be addressed in a gas fireplace maintenance check are:

• Checking the clearance to combustibles and the vent for blockage
• Checking for carbon or soot build-up on the glass, burners and logs
• Inspecting the gasket on the glass and pilot assembly
• Check the main burner flame and pilot light flame
• Check the air shutter and Restrictor settings
• Dust and clean the firebox chamber
• Check pressure relief doors
• Check thermopile/voltage production
• Clean the blower and check the blower snap disk 
• Check rheostat operation
• Check remote control and thermostat operation
• Do a systems voltage check on millivolt value
• Check for gas leaks
• Remove, clean and replace ceramic glass

As you can see, the checklist of tasks for professional servicing is long and detailed. If not properly maintained gas fireplaces can present safety concerns, therefore, annual professional maintenance is highly recommended. 

Neglecting regular maintenance can also lead to several mechanical problems and an inefficient operating fireplace;

• The burner orifices can become clogged with soot or debris, resulting in uneven or weak flames. 
• The ignition system, including the pilot light and igniter, can malfunction, making it difficult to start the fireplace. 
• Valves and seals can wear out or become damaged, causing inefficient gas flow and reducing the fireplace’s overall performance and heat output. 

Heat Savers Home Comfort: Keeping Your Home Safe And Cozy 

Choose Heat Savers Home Comfort for your gas fireplace servicing and experience unparalleled expertise and reliability. Our certified technicians are dedicated to ensuring your fireplace operates safely and efficiently.  In addition to maintenance, we can assist with ordering replacement parts for any of the appliances we sell.

With years of industry experience in fireplace sales, installation, and maintenance, as well as heat pump sales and installation, we are committed to keeping you comfortable in your home with our exceptional customer service. 

Heat Savers Home Comfort is the best choice for all your gas fireplace needs. Visit us at our showroom in Victoria, schedule a service or book a consultation online today. You can enjoy peace of mind, knowing your fireplace is in the hands of the experts who care.