Everything You Need To Know To Operate Your Fireplace
As fall inches closer and the temperatures start to dip, there’s nothing cozier than a warm gas fireplace! Unlike a wood fire, which needs to be built and maintained, gas fireplaces make enjoying an end-of-the-day fire quick and simple.
If you’re ready to embrace BC’s fall and winter months but need a quick refresher on how to turn on a gas fireplace, this step-by-step guide is for you. Understanding how to turn on and use a gas fireplace is important for safe operation, optimizing your fireplace’s energy efficiency, and making the most of those long movie nights by the fire.
Steps for Turning On A Gas Fireplace
Getting Prepped
Lighting your fireplace for the first time in the fall is a wonderful feeling, with the promise of long comfy nights ahead, but make sure you’re familiar with the manufacturer’s manual before firing things up. Specific instructions and safety information for your model will outline how your lighting mechanism operates.
Types of Lighting Mechanisms
There are several ways to light your gas appliance, and here are a few common ignition systems and how they work.
● Standing Pilot Light – a traditional system that uses a continuously burning gas-fuelled flame (pilot light) to ignite the main burner
● Electronic Ignition – an electrically generated spark ignites the gas when the fireplace is started
● Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI) – the pilot light only turns on when the fireplace is started. When the burner is lit, the pilot goes out.
● Millivolt Systems – a thermopile converts thermal energy into electrical energy and generates electricity from the pilot light, which powers the gas valve. Millivolt systems operate without an external power source.
At Heat Savers we have expert knowledge in a huge variety of fireplaces and can help you choose an energy-efficient, convenient, and dependable system.
Familiarize Yourself With The Controls
Maybe you just purchased a brand-new fireplace from Heat Savers, or perhaps it’s been a while since it was used last, but either way, get to know the controls on your gas fireplace! Consult your owner’s manual or remote-control handbook for details. Depending on the ignition system in place for your gas fireplace, you should be able to locate the pilot light, gas valve, and starter.
Turn The Gas On
After you are comfortable with the controls, use the gas control valve to turn the knob to the on position.
Turn The Pilot On
The final step to lighting your fireplace will depend on your model’s ignition system. For Valor models, the two buttons on your remote control connected by the electric bolt are held down simultaneously. You will hear the clicking or lighting sequence begin.
When lighting your fireplace for the first time of the season, or one that hasn’t been operated for a long time, it may be difficult to get going right away as the heavy cold air smothers and ultimately stops the pilot light from staying lit. Typically, though, the warmth generated from a pilot light is enough to prime the chimney and warm the firebox.
Leaving your pilot light on thru the colder winter months will ensure smooth operation, and result in less condensation forming on the glass at burner start up. If you’ve shut your pilot off manually or have a standing pilot that extinguishes after 7-days of inactivity, your pilot may not be burning. Relighting a pilot in a cold fireplace can take several tries, but don’t worry! This is not a defect, and modern gas fireplaces are designed to account for these cold starts. The air will slowly be warmed through multiple attempts to light the pilot, creating the necessary conditions for the pilot to remain lit and the burner to engage. If the temperatures have dropped significantly, you may have to try 12-15 times.
The pilot light is kept on with a Valor gas fireplace by using the flame down button and pressing it until the main burner shuts off (the pilot will remain on). For many other manufacturers referencing the manual should provide you with the necessary information to get your pilot light operating in constant pilot mode.
Note: If the following guide doesn’t match your appliance’s instructions, please reach out to a trained professional at Heat Savers Home Comfort for specific directions on the safe operation of your gas fireplace model.
Heat Savers Home Comfort, Your Go-To Source for Safe Gas Fireplace Operation At Heat Savers Home Comfort, we care about your comfort and safety and we’re here to walk you through choosing the best unit for your needs and answer any questions that come up along the way. Our expert staff can show you how easy it is to operate your gas appliance and maximize its energy efficiency.
Remember most Manufacturers recommend annual service to maintain warranty, longevity, safety and efficiency of your appliance. Visit us online to book your annual service appointment today. Visit our Victoria showroom or contact us online to discover everything you need to know about turning on your gas fireplace and get ready for a comfortable and warm fall and winter ahead!