QA

How Does Gas Fireplace Work

A vented gas fireplace functions using a combustion and exhaust system that creates highly safe, efficient heating. The unit is a sealed chamber that brings in fresh air from the outside for use in the combustion process and then channels gaseous byproducts back out to the exterior of the building.

How do you use a gas fireplace?

How to Operate a Gas Fireplace Look over the user manual included with your fireplace. Remove your fireplace’s outer cover. Put a fireplace key into the device’s gas valve knob. Hold a long lighter up to the burner and ignite it. Turn the gas key. Replace the fireplace’s outer cover immediately.

Is it OK to run gas fireplace all day?

The main concern with a gas-burning appliance is the exhaust of carbon monoxide and leaving the unit on overnight is simply risky. The fact is, most gas units are safe and do not emit carbon monoxide at levels that are toxic.

How does a gas fireplace turn on?

Using a Wall Switch to Turn On a Gas Fireplace Many gas fireplaces come equipped with a wall switch control panel for activating the unit and adjusting the level of the flame. Simply push the “On” button and the pilot should ignite.

How do gas fireplaces give off heat?

Gas fireplaces give off heat as a result of a real flame combusting the gas supply to the fireplace. Heat is a by-product of the combustion process of burning the fuel within a gas fireplace.

How many hours can you run a gas fireplace?

In general, you should not run an unvented fireplace for more than three hours at a time. If you are using natural gas, you can usually run your fireplace for up to four hours before needing to refuel. If you are using propane, the limit is typically two hours.

Do gas fireplaces work without power?

Gas & wood fireplaces will continue to work safely during a power outage. These fireplaces do not require electricity for venting and can be used safely during a power outage.

Do gas fireplaces have an automatic shut off?

Nearly every new gas fireplace comes equipped with safety features such as a 100% fail-safe shut-off valve. If the pilot flame goes out, the gas flow will automatically turn off. This device automatically shuts the gas off if the temperature in the fireplace gets too cold or if too much carbon monoxide builds up.

Can I sleep with my gas fireplace on?

An overall rule for safe gas fireplace usage is to not let your fireplace—no matter which style—operate throughout the night. Unmonitored gas fireplaces can lead to dangerous, often fatal, outcomes. The two most concerning outcomes of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long are a house fire or a gas leak.

Can gas fireplaces explode?

Although convenient, these home gas fireplaces pose significant risk of explosions and house fires if they are improperly installed or maintained. Gas Fireplace leaks can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, but can also result in explosions that can level an entire neighborhood block.

Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?

Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.

Are gas fireplaces safe?

Gas fireplaces are far safer than their wood-burning counterparts—no matches, no smoke, no sparks, no backdrafts, no soot—but that doesn’t mean owners should ignore basic precautions.

Do gas fireplaces have real flames?

The natural look of real flames A gas fireplace has real flames, and this is simply not a possibility with electric units. With gas fireplaces you can also choose the type of material beneath the flames, with styles ranging from realistic driftwood to modern glass or stones.

Is it cheaper to run a gas fireplace or the heat?

Is it cheaper to run a gas fireplace or a furnace? A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.

Does gas fireplace keep house warm?

1. Gas fireplaces are easy to enjoy. Heat the area of the home where you spend the most time (often the great room or basement) with a gas fireplace by turning the thermostat down and the fireplace up. This keeps those rooms warm and comfortable and reduces the amount of money spent heating rooms that aren’t in use.

Do gas fireplaces use a lot of gas?

Depending on the age of a gas fireplace and its maximum heat output, a gas fireplace can use a relatively large amounts of gas if used at max settings for a number of hours per day. However, gas fireplaces be a very cost-effective form of heating, especially if using natural gas rather than propane.

Do gas fireplaces cost a lot to run?

Gas fireplaces are pretty inexpensive to run. That’s primarily because the price of natural gas and propane are very (about $1.09 per 100,000 BTU) low compared to the price of electricity (about $3.87 per 100,000 BTU). Standard 20,000 BTU gas fireplace costs $0.29 per hour to run.

Can a gas fireplace make you sick?

Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. An improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace can create incomplete combustion, creating carbon monoxide, and causing this toxic gas to linger—putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.