QA

Question: How To Use Gas Log 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.

How long can you run a gas log fireplace?

If you own a fireplace that is fully-vented and equipped with a sealed glass front, this type of unit can operate continuously. On the flip side, if your fireplace unit is vent-free and equipped with front doors that can open – this unit should only operate for a maximum of three hours at a time.

Do you have to open the flue on a gas log fireplace?

That hole is the fireplace flue pipe. One caution, though: Fireplaces with installed gas logs are required to have the damper open at all times. That’s either because a pilot light is constantly burning under the logs or because the homeowner might forget to open the damper when he or she turns on the fire.

Is it OK to run gas fireplace all day?

You can run a vented gas fireplace all day with little concern for anything other than gas usage.

Are gas fireplaces safe to run all night?

No, you should not leave your gas fireplace on overnight as you risk carbon monoxide poisoning. Although it’s never recommended, if your gas fireplace has been properly maintained and designed to run continuously, it may be safe to leave it on.

What happens if you forget to open the flue?

People often forget to open their chimney dampers when they build a nice warm fire. Unfortunately this can cause serious problems, as it blocks the use of the chimney. Your room will soon fill up with smoke, and even worse, you can start a chimney fire.

Can you close the damper when pilot is on gas fireplace?

If you have installed gas logs in your fireplace, the damper should never be closed. If you have a pilot light constantly burning under your gas logs, shutting the damper puts you, your family and your pets at severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do you have to vent gas logs?

Vented gas logs must be vented through a functional chimney in order to move all burning by-products outside the home. Vented gas logs produce the most realistic flames but put off less heat than their vent-free counterparts due mostly to the fact the chimney flue must be open when the fireplace is in use.

Why is my gas fireplace not lighting?

If gas is coming out of the pilot, but it still won’t light, the spark igniter could be the problem. Alleyne says to look for and clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple. The pilot lighting, but not staying lit, indicates that the thermocouple is worn out, Worthen says.

How do I light the pilot on my fireplace?

Lighting a Gas Fireplace With a Control Panel Turn the knob from the “Off” to the “Pilot” position. Push in the pilot knob, which manually sends gas into the system. Push the igniter button once every second until it lights.

How much gas does a gas fireplace use per hour?

The average price of natural gas in the US in 2020 was around $11 per thousand cubic feet 1, equating to about $1.06 per therm. That means that a 38,000 BTU gas fireplace costs approximately $0.40 an hour to run.

How much does it cost to run gas fireplace for an hour?

#1 How Many Hours Per Day Do You Run A Gas-Powered Fireplace? Daily Running Hours (Hours/Day) Small Gas Fireplace (10,000 BTU) Standard Gas Fireplace (20,000 BTU) 1 hour $0.15/day $0.29/day 2 hours $0.30/day $0.58/day 4 hours $0.60/day $1.16/day 8 hours $1.20/day $2.32/day.

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

Operating a furnace for one hour at 75,000 -100,000 Btu cost a homeowner $1.12 – $1.49 based on last month’s national average natural gas rate. By comparison, a natural gas fireplace running at 30,000 Btu per hour cost only 45 cents.

Can I get carbon monoxide poisoning from my gas fireplace?

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.

Is it safe to sleep with the fireplace on?

Can I go to sleep with a fire in the fireplace? You should never go to sleep while a fire is in the fireplace. It may seem safe—after all, the fire is small and controlled behind a metal grate. Before going to bed, make sure the fire is completely extinguished.

Is it safe to leave a fireplace unattended?

Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, you should make certain to fully extinguish the fire. Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them — ashes can take several days to cool completely. Never empty ashes directly into a trash can.

How long after a fire can I close the flue?

A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are done burning. Smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house. Once the ember bed is completely out, close the damper.

How do you know if the flue is open or closed?

Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.

How does a fireplace flue work?

The flue directs exhaust gases and debris from a fireplace upward to vent outdoors into the atmosphere. The flue is effective because it makes use of the stack effect that happens when there’s a significant temperature differential between the indoor and outdoor ends of the flue.