When the cold season is upon us most homeowners are anxiously awaiting the moment they can turn on their fireplace and cozy up by the fire. But what happens when you go to turn on your gas fireplace and it won’t start?
There are several reasons why your fireplace may not be working and is in need of repair, and it is important to know the source of the problem and how you can fix it.
Making sure your gas fireplace is in the best working condition not only helps to keep your home warm and cozy during the cold but also helps to prevent any harm from coming to your home and your family as well.
Some possible problems that you may be experiencing include:
Depending on the type of gas fireplace you have you might have a receiver or a remote that is powered by batteries. If for some reason the batteries in either one of these components are dead, it could be the cause of your fireplace problems. Testing your batteries and replacing them regularly will help ensure that this is not the source of your issues.
One reason that your gas fireplace won’t start is that the gas valve is closed. You should make sure that your gas valve is open and on in order to ensure gas flow to your fireplace. This valve should be located inside of the firebox on newer models and in older models, there should be a key in the floor or wall near the fireplace.
One issue that may be causing problems with your gas fireplace that many people don’t think to look at is their thermostat. If your fireplace isn’t working you should take a moment to make sure that your thermostat is set properly. Oftentimes when the thermostat is set lower than the temperature in the room it can cause a problem with the gas ignition. Taking a moment to adjust the temperature in the room could solve the issues you are having with your gas fireplace.
Sometimes when the electrical wiring throughout your house has too much current running through it, it can cause your circuit breaker to trip. This means that the flow of power has been cut off in order to prevent the circuit from overheating. If your gas fireplace isn’t working checking your thermostat may be an easy fix to the problem.
These components are extremely important when it comes to your gas fireplace running properly so let’s break down what each piece is responsible for.
The thermocouple is a metal probe that controls the gas valve. It works to sense the temperature and generates the electricity to ignite the gas when necessary. If your gas fireplace isn’t working, checking to make sure that your thermocouple is screwed in tightly and in the correct position may be the solution.
The thermopile also is a temperature sensor that generates electric voltage. This component is typically found within newer gas fireplace models instead of the thermocouple. If you have gone down the list of possible causes to your gas fireplace not working and this is all that is left it is important to bring in the professionals. Our team at ETA will test your thermocouple or thermopile to ensure that this is not the source of your problems and if it is they will fix it or replace the part completely.
If your gas fireplace is fueled by a propane tank, it is important to make sure that it is in the on position and delivering gas to your fireplace. There is typically a knob on the top of the of the tank that controls the gas flow, if the knob is in the on position and the gas flow is non existent, it may be time to contact your propane supplier for a new tank.
If your gas fireplace isn’t fueled by a propane tank, that means you most likely have natural gas lines running to your home. If you think that this may be the source of your fireplace’s issues you will need to call your utility company to see if the gas in your area has been shut off.
The pilot light on your gas fireplace is the piece that ignites the gas as it is delivered to your fireplace. The pilot light on your system can be blown out or interrupted from even just a strong draft blowing through which is why it is the common source of problems with some gas fireplaces. When you are relighting the pilot light it is important to make sure you follow the manufacturers guidelines exactly and carefully.
Another problem that you may be facing with your ignition is a dirty pilot light orifice. This is caused by a buildup of dirt and soot throughout the orifice and needs to be cleaned throughly.
The pilot light on your gas fireplace is the piece that ignites the gas as it is delivered to your fireplace. The pilot light on your system can be blown out or interrupted from even just a strong draft blowing through which is why it is the common source of problems with some gas fireplaces. When you are relighting the pilot light it is important to make sure you follow the manufacturers guidelines exactly and carefully.
Another problem that you may be facing with your ignition is a dirty pilot light orifice. This is caused by a buildup of dirt and soot throughout the orifice and needs to be cleaned throughly.
Our team at Express Tech Air never wants you to be left out in the cold. If you are having issues with your gas fireplace give us a call! We will send one of our trained technicians to make sure you and your home are safe and warm for the remainder of the winter season.
