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how do you turn on an old gas fireplace

by Marc Cremin Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

  • 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. Depending on how long it’s been since the gas fireplace was last used, ignition may take multiple attempts.
  • After the pilot lights, keep the pilot button held down about 15 to 30 seconds to warm up the thermocouple and ensure that the flame stays lit. ...
  • Release the pilot knob. If the flame stays lit, rotate the knob to the “On” position.
  • Adjust the flame to the desired position with the “High/Low” switch or knob, if available.
  • Reattach the cover or screen over the 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. Depending on how long it's been since the gas fireplace was last used, ignition may take multiple attempts.

How do you start a gas fireplace?

how does your gas fireplace start? When you flip a wall switch, click on your remote control or the thermostat calls for heat, the gas valve on your fireplace will open. Gas valves generate their own electricity and operate on millivolts, a very small amount of electricity.

How do I Turn on my gas fireplace?

You can follow these troubleshooting tips to try and pinpoint the problem:

  • Your remote isn’t turning on the fireplace: Check the batteries first. ...
  • The blower is making a lot of noise: When your system is turned off, look for any displaced wires that might be hitting the fan blades. ...
  • The blower is not heating up: Try turning up the thermostat. ...

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How do you turn on a gas fireplace?

Instructions

  • Locate Gas Valve Knob. Find the gas valve knob on the wall or floor. ...
  • Open Front of Fireplace. Open up the glass doors or screen to the fireplace.
  • Locate Ignition Area. ...
  • Prepare Ignition Source. ...
  • Place Key in Gas Valve. ...
  • Light Ignition Source. ...
  • Slightly Turn on Gas Valve. ...
  • Turn Gas Valve on Full. ...
  • Remove Wall Key. ...
  • Turn off the Gas Fireplace. ...

How to start a gas fireplace?

Occasionally, it's important to take the opportunity to vacuum the inside of the gas fireplace. Dust, pet hair, small insects and other particles accumulate there. Inspect ceramic logs to make sure they are intact, often these pieces start to deteriorate.

How do you use an old gas fireplace?

0:062:46How To Light A Gas Fireplace In Your Home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we actually have to use a little extension lighter hue which is to the left here. And once weMoreSo we actually have to use a little extension lighter hue which is to the left here. And once we have the gas on we're going to light it with the extension ladder just like a barbecue.

How do I manually start my gas fireplace?

0:401:40How to Manually Light a Gas Fireplace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm going to do is. Light this match. And place it as deep into the fireplace. Keep a coupleMoreSo what I'm going to do is. Light this match. And place it as deep into the fireplace. Keep a couple of matches. As. I can where I know the gas is going to move over the lighter alright it's burning.

Do old gas fireplaces have a pilot light?

Gas fireplaces traditionally used a standing pilot light where, once lit, the pilot flame would remain on even between fires. Many more modern gas fireplaces use electronic intermittent pilot ignition where the pilot light turns off when the main burner flames go off.Aug 28, 2021

How do you turn a fireplace on?

0:231:49How to Light a Gas Fireplace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor some fireplaces you have to use the key to light and turn it off for ours we just use the key toMoreFor some fireplaces you have to use the key to light and turn it off for ours we just use the key to turn it off.

How do you turn on gas fireplace with wall switch and key?

InstructionsLocate Gas Valve Knob. Find the gas valve knob on the wall or floor. ... Open Front of Fireplace. Open up the glass doors or screen to the fireplace.Locate Ignition Area. ... Prepare Ignition Source. ... Place Key in Gas Valve. ... Light Ignition Source. ... Slightly Turn on Gas Valve. ... Turn Gas Valve on Full.More items...•Dec 21, 2021

Where is the pilot light on a gas fireplace?

1:043:46How to light the pilot on a gas fireplace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay next if you have this shutoff valve and you should turn it so that the handle the lever here isMoreOkay next if you have this shutoff valve and you should turn it so that the handle the lever here is perpendicular with the pipe itself it's going along with the pipe that's allowing the gas to come

Why won't my gas fireplace light up?

If gas is coming out of the pilot but it still won't light, the spark igniter could be the problem. You should clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple. Blowing compressed air into the pilot area, waiting a couple minutes, then trying again could help to fix the problem.Feb 16, 2022

How does gas fireplace switch work?

Gas Fireplace Wall Switch: What, Why & How Simply put, a fireplace wall switch is a toggle switch that opens or closes the circuit between the thermopile and the gas valve. It operates at millivolts, meaning it is able to operate at very low-voltage electricity(350-1000 millivolts).

Where to Find the Gas Valve Knob

The gas valve knob is the junction between the main gas pipe and the gas fireplace. When closed, the gas valve knob acts as a gate to prevent gas from flowing to the fireplace. When opened, gas will flow. The valve can be opened partially or in full.

Safety Considerations

Flammable and potentially dangerous, natural gas is colorless and odorless. To help with detection, gas companies treat natural gas with trace amounts of mercaptan, a pungent odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur.

Troubleshooting Turning on a Gas Fireplace With a Wall Key

Wall key gas fireplaces do not have pilot lights. Manually lighting the fireplace substitutes for the pilot light. Gas fireplaces that operate with wall switches do have standing pilot lights, though.

Instructions

Find the gas valve knob on the wall or floor. Place the key nearby. Do not place the key in the valve yet.

When to Call a Professional

Call a licensed plumber for any issues relating to the gas line within the house. Not all plumbers are equipped to work with gas lines, so check with them in advance. If you smell a gas leak outside of the house, call the gas company immediately.

How it Works

To understand its use, you’ll first need to know how it works and why it may stop working.

Igniting A Gas Fireplace With the Control Panel (Turning On & Off)

Does your gas fireplace have a control panel from where it’s lighted? If it does, understanding such controls isn’t difficult at all. Such controls are likely hidden below a decorative screen or panel.

Igniting A Gas Fireplace with Remote or Switch

Do you have a gas fireplace with a wall switch or remote? If you do, operating the controls isn’t as difficult as you think. These controls are mostly operated with electricity.

Igniting A Gas Fireplace with A Key

Is your gas fireplace operated with a key? Variants are having such provisions. If yours belongs to this category, there should be no difficulties whatsoever in its operation.

What does a gas fireplace do?

Written by Kirstin Harrington in Housekeeping. Having a gas fireplace not only makes your home look more elegant, but it also gives a cozy and inviting feel. There’s nothing better than making a cup of hot cocoa and snuggling up to the fire. If you’ve moved into a new home with a gas fireplace or you’re installing one yourself, ...

How long to wait to clear gas line on a gas fireplace?

Be sure that the pilot knob is in the “off” position. Wait five to ten minutes to allow any excess gas to clear out of the line.

How to ignite a flame when a switch is flipped?

All you have to do for this is push the button or turn the switch to the “on” position. If you do this and the flame doesn’t ignite, you might need to do it manually.

How long do you hold down the pilot light on a gas fireplace?

After the pilot lights, you’ll want to be sure to hold down the pilot button for around 30 seconds. This allows the thermocouple to warm up and ensures the flame stays lit. Depending on which gas fireplace you have, you may have to hold the button down for a longer period of time.

What colors do LED fireplaces come in?

Some LED fireplaces allow you to switch the flames to colors like blue, pink, green, or red.

What is the most common type of fireplace?

There are a variety of different styles and price points. Some give an incredibly realistic view of a fire, but you need to be close to feel the warmth of an electric fireplace.

Why is the pilot light on my fireplace?

It shows that there is the slightest amount of gas running to the unit at all times. If there’s a battery backup , the pilot light could be on without any gas going to the fireplace.

How to get gas out of a fireplace?

If you smell a small amount of gas, remove the lighter and open your windows and doors to air the room out. If you smell a lot of gas, remove the lighter and exit the house immediately. Then, contact your natural gas provider. If neither are available, contact 911 or your local fire department. Replace the fireplace’s outer cover immediately.

How to ignite a gas fireplace?

Turn the gas key. With the lighter activated, move the gas valve knob about half a turn counter-clockwise. This will release gas into the fireplace, causing the pilot light to ignite. Be prepared to move back quickly in case the fire ignites stray gas particles and flares out into the immediate surrounding area.

How to keep gas from escaping from fireplace?

To keep any excess gas from escaping into the room, cover your fireplace with the front panel you removed earlier. Once the cover is secure, you can safely control the fireplace using the gas valve key, turning it counter-clockwise to increase the flames and clockwise to decrease them.

What to do if you smell gas?

If you smell a faint amount of gas, open your windows and doors to ventilate the area. If you smell a large amount of gas, leave the house immediately and call your natural gas provider. If you can’t get a hold of either, call 911 or your local fire department.

How long do you hold the control knob down?

To keep the flame alive, you’ll need to hold the control knob down for a minimum of 30 seconds, possibly even longer. This will give the thermocouple, a safety device that stops the gas flow if the pilot light shuts off, a chance to heat up and register that the pilot is back on.

Can you put a fireplace key in the wall?

Some fireplaces may have this key permanently installed in the wall. If you do not have a key, you can purchase a replacement at most home improvement stores.

Do gas fireplaces have a front cover?

For both safety and aesthetic reasons, gas fireplaces come with a front cover separat ing the fire chamber from the rest of the room . To ignite the pilot light, you’ll need to open or completely remove this cover. These panels are typically made of glass, so lay yours in a safe area to prevent unnecessary damage.

Preparing to Light a Gas Fireplace

Before you light a gas fireplace, make sure you’re familiar with the unit. Look for the control panel. It is usually around the base of the fireplace behind the decorative fireplace screen. There are several things to consider about how to use a gas fireplace.

Lighting a Gas Fireplace With a Control Panel

A gas fireplace control panel usually has a red igniter pilot knob and a control dial. The pilot knob should have the options “Off,” “Pilot” and, in some models, “On.” Here’s how to light a gas fireplace with a control panel.

Lighting a Gas Fireplace With a Key Valve

Some types of fireplaces have a round, decorative slot for controlling the gas valve. It's usually located near the fireplace, usually to the immediate left, right or on the floor. You will control the gas flow with a fireplace key (sometimes called a hex key) as you light the fireplace.

Using a Wall Switch to Turn On a Gas Fireplace

It’s easy to know how to turn on a gas fireplace with an electronic ignition wall switch. 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.

Turning Off a Gas Fireplace

Knowing how to light a gas log fireplace means you also know how to turn it off. Even without a fire going, a standing pilot light uses a minor amount of fuel. Knowing how to turn off a gas fireplace valve can reduce your gas bill.

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