Maintenance Task:  Annual professional inspection and service

Most fireplace manufacturers recommend that gas fireplaces have an annual inspection and maintenance by an authorized service dealer.

The service person's work should include:

1. Clean pilot and burners.

2. Check gas pilot safety system.

3. Ensure proper ignition and combustion.

4. Check combustion venting and chimney draw.

5. Paint firebox as necessary.

6. Inspect door gasket.

7. Clean glass.

8. Clean exterior.

9. Check fan operation (if applicable).

The benefits are both safety and energy efficiency.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from "Ask-a-Wizard":

QUESTION from "paulaa": 

I have a Majestic gas fireplace with an automatic pilot that stays lit all the time. It sometimes makes a sound similar to when you are outside using your gas BBQ grill on a very windy day and the breeze effects the flame. I turned the pilot knob and accidentally turned off the pilot light. I know that it can be easily re-lighted but I'm not sure how to do it. I don't have a manual that tells me how to re-light the pilot light. Do I just open the flue, turn on the gas, and then when I turn on the knob for the pilot light, do I manually light it with a long match or lighter?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

paulaa:

Regarding re-lighting the pilot on your Majestic gas fireplace, we found a free video for you on the Majestic website that shows you exactly how to do it. You can see it online at: http://www.majesticproducts.com/ and it is right in the middle of the homepage of the website. The video runs about 2-3 minutes, and shows you the entire procedure in detail. If after seeing the video you are not completely comfortable doing the re-lighting yourself, then you should definately consider bringing in a professional.

If you need more information than you get from the video (since the video is for one particular model of Majestic gas fireplace, and your model may have a different pilot lighting system), then you can download the owner's manual for your particular model of Majestic gas fireplace at:

 http://www.majesticproducts.com/content/support/manuals.cfm?browse=drilldown&categoryid=5

We hope this is helpful for you.
Sincerely,
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Terry":

My propane fireplace comes on with a loud bang when the gas ignites. I've had it serviced twice for the same problem but to date it still exists. Any ideas as to what might be causing this problem. I'm afraid it is going to blow the glass out one of these times.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Terry:

We STRONGLY recommend that you not use your gas fireplace until a qualified service technician has done a full inspection and made the appropriate repairs or adjustments to your unit. It should not be making a bang when you ignite it. There are several things which could potentially be causing this, but without doing a physical inspection of the unit, its not possible to say exactly what it is. It sounds like you have had someone look at your unit before. They may be very qualified, but I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your unit, and ask if they can provide a list of qualified technicians in your area, for your particular gas fireplace.

And again, we suggest not using your unit until the ignition problem is resolved.

Sincerely,
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Bshipperbkbb1":

I have a customer with a gas fireplace and here is the question...he has a 110 live power line coming from the wall switch that he want to install to the igniter and i refuse to do it because i am afraid it may cause serious damage or can result in death.  The box doesn't show a ce mark!  Anyway the gas fireplace came from a company called 'Stuart'.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Bshipperbkbb1:

I think you are VERY wise to be cautious about adding any wiring to a gas fireplace. A gas fireplace should only be installed in accordance with the exact specifications provided by the manufacturer for that particular unit. And you are correct, electricity and gas can become a very dangerous combination.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Julie in Colorado":

My gas fireplace continually has a strong odor when on (kind of like burning urine). We have lived here for 2 years and have not had it serviced. Is it possibly a simple matter of needing a professional cleaning service, or could it be something else, more dangerous?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Julie in Colorado:

No, it is not normal for a gas fireplace to give off a strong smell for this long of a time. The strong "urine" smell could be urethane insulation that is too close to the firebox or vent pipe. Or if you are running on natural gas, it could be the mercaptan odorant in the gas which is leaking.

But regardless, I would strongly recommend that you be safe and shut off your gas fireplace until you have the unit thoroughly inspected by a service technician who is qualified to work on your particular model of gas fireplace.

The technician should inspect whether there is insulation anywhere that is too close to the unit or vent piping. And the technician should also check for any gas or vent piping leaks.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Lezlie":

We have a gas fireplace that has a switch that turns the gas on and off. With the pilot light on. When we turn on the fireplace it runs for awhile and then it quits and sometimes it starts up again in a little while. How do we figure out what is wrong? What type of repair person takes care of this?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Lezlie:

It sounds like your gas fireplace could have a thermostat control, that when the room (or fireplace unit) come up to temperature, that it tells the fireplace to shutdown. Then when the room (or unit) cools down, it tells it to come back on. And it would work like this when the switch for the fireplace was in the "on" position.

A common "complaint" with gas fireplaces is that they are so efficient, that they can heat up a room fairly quickly, and then if they have a thermostat control, they will shut down to keep from overheating the room. One way around this is to turn down the flame settings down as low as possible, but you loose the nice look of the flames in the fireplace. And another alternative, is with some models, you can add piping and a blower that takes heat from the fireplace and has it blow into an adjacent room (if your rooms will allow this configuration). This way the fireplace can run, but not all the heat goes into the room it is in (so the fireplace can run longer).

Getting back to your question about a service person, I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your particular brand of fireplace, and ask them for a list of qualified and trained service technicians in your area who they have approved to work on your brand of fireplace.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION from Lezlie on 1/9/2008

Re: Gas Fireplace, that was extremely helpful. Thanks!
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QUESTION from "Shirley":

I have a Majestic gas fireplace with an automatic pilot light that keeps blowing out after a period of time. We tried cleaning it for dust accumulation, but it still blew out. Help

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Dear Shirley:

We are of the firm belief that when it comes to gas appliances, they should be inspected and adjusted by trained professionals.

Here's a link that will give you a list of authorized Majestic fireplace dealers in your area:

http://www.majesticproducts.com/content/wheretobuy/locator/index.cfm?locatortype=dealer

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "billsfishing":

Hi, I have a propane gas insert. I think it is ventless.  The box has no openings in it.  My problem is, it gives off a odor.  I'm not sure how to explain the odor, propane?  I'm not sure, but I don't like the smell.  Help!

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Dear billsfishing:

We recommend not taking any chances with odors from a propane gas fireplace. You should contact the manufacturer of your particular gas fireplace, and get a list of qualified service technicians in your area. And if it were me, I'd be slightly opening a window in the room with the fireplace, to provide fresh air until you know what the source of the smell is.

If your fireplace is brand new, and the smell is somewhat metallic, it could be typical for a unit that is heating up the first several times. But it is better to find out for sure from a qualified service technician for your specific unit.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from schultz6 on 4/16/2008:

Our majestic fireplace is on for awhile and than goes off. Pilot is still on.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM 4/16/2008:

Dear schultz6:

Does your gas fireplace have a thermostat control? If so, it is normal for it to shutoff when the room comes up to the set temperature of the thermostat, and then it automatically comes back on when the temperature in the room drops below the set temperature.

One issue that homeowners sometimes find with gas fireplaces (versus gas logs) is that gas fireplaces are so efficient (especially if they also have a blower) that they heat up a room very quickly and therefore end up cycling on and off frequently. One remedy for this is that some gas fireplaces have attachments that allow you to safely vent heat into other rooms, which allows the fireplace to run longer in the room where it is located.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION from schultz6 on 4/16/2008:

No it does not

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 4/16/2008:

Dear schultz6:

Since you say that your gas fireplace does not have a thermostat, here are some possible things that could be causing your fireplace to cycle on and off:

1) You could have a high limit on your vent pipe, which is there for safety reasons.

2) Your fireplace door could have a switch that must be in the closed position to operate, and if the door isn't fitting snugly, or if the switch is faulty, then the heat of the fire can move the door, causing the switch to go off. As it cools down, it moves back and makes contact with the switch again.

3) There could be a loose wire somewhere in your system.

4) The pilot light sensor may not be reading the pilot light properly when your fireplace is running up at temperature.

With the exception of possibly the door, the other items are fairly complicated to diagnose and correct, and we would suggest that you have a trained professional inspect your unit.

If it helps, here is the toll-free customer service number for Majestic: 1-800-668-5323

Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from mike on 4/13/2008:

can i bleed my own gas lines my gas been shut off four 5 days

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 4/13/2008:

Dear Mike:

When not managed properly, natural gas can be VERY dangerous.

We would suggest that your gas lines only be bled by a licensed profession who has the experience and skills to do this.

Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from simone on 4/6/2008:

hi i have a gas fire and when the fire is switched off, and its windy outside, there a strong smell of gas seems to blow from the fire. this only happens when its windy outside and the fires off. is this normal?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 4/6/2008:
Dear Simone:

No, this is NOT normal. We would suggest that you immediately contact an authorized service techician for your gas fireplace.

When it is windy outside, and blowing across the top of your chimney, it can be causing a pressure differential between the inside of your house and the outside of your house. This could be causing the gas from your fireplace to be sucked into your home. This situation is similar to problems in some homes that show up when an exhaust fan in a bathroom or kitchen causes a negative pressure differential, which can also cause gas from a fireplace to be sucked into the house, rather than venting out the chimney.

You should have your fireplace checked thoroughly for leaks, and whether it needs a fresh air make-up kit, etc.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from sandy_92766 on 3/21/2008:

not sure how to open my majestic gas fire place door to clean the glass

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 3/21/2008:

Dear sandy_92766:

If you look on page 25 of this online guide, it explains how to open the glass of one model of Majestic Gas Fireplace: 

http://www.cfmcustomercare.com/elements/uploads/files/Manual_BDHT36majestic_EN.pdf

However, if you go to this page: 

http://www.cfmcustomercare.com/content/manuals/index.cfm

you can select the exact manual for your particular model of fireplace from Majestic.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from BrendaJ61 on 1/30/2008:

I have a propane gas log fireplace that I use very rarely. I just had the tank filled, but when I turn on the fireplace, the burner lights, but the flame never gets higher than the burner. Any suggestions?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 1/31/2008:
Dear BrendaJ61:

Most gas log fireplaces allow you to adjust the flame height. To see exactly how to do this, you should look at your owner's manual (or go online to get one from the manufacturer of your specific fireplace).

But if you have not had your fireplace serviced for a while by a qualified service technician, then you should definately schedule a visit as soon as possible. I'd be suspicious as to why the flame height has gone down, and whether there are any obstructions. With gas fireplaces it is always best to be on the safe side. A qualified service technician can check things out and make sure that everything is operating properly.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Ryan on 4/21/2008:

I have a RFSDV42 RP propane stove.  It sometimes gives a poof when it shuts down. It has been professionally cleaned and set up twice in the last two years.  The pilot light keeps going out.  5 times in March and April.
Why?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM ON 4/21/2008

Dear Ryan:

I assume from your model number that your gas stove is by Majestic. For the problem you are having with your pilot light, I would suggest that you contact Majestic at their toll-free number: 1-800-668-5323

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Kimberly on 7/16/2008
I recently moved into a home built in the 70's. Has a gas fireplace insert. We have been in for a week now. The room where the fireplace is has no furniture it it so there really has been no traffic except my husband and I opening and closing the blinds in that room. The other day, we went for a walk and came back 20 minutes later to find the fireplace fan on. We hadn't touched the fireplace since we moved in. I emailed the previous owner and he said that has never come on by itself in the 20 yrs they lived there. Now, I did have the blinds open and it was about 7:30 ish when the sun is streaming in the front windows. It is possible, even though I am not aware of a thermostat on it that the fan came on automatically ? Otherwise my husband thinks someone came in the house while we were on our short walk. The fire wasn't on, just the fan. I hope there is an explanation for this. The previous owner said someone would had to have activated it but I was in that room before the walk and would have heard the fan noise.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 7/16/2008
Dear Kimberly:

Yes, this sounds very odd indeed.

First, I would doubt that just sunlight coming in through the windows would be enough to raise the temperature of your fireplace sufficiently high enough for the fan thermostat to turn on.

A couple of thoughts on things that you might check:

1) Since this is a new house to you, is it possible that there is an external control switch for the fan that you might have turned on/off as you left the house thinking that it was a switch for something else?

2) Is there a thermostat that controls the fan? Could this thermostat have been set too low, or be faulty, and this be what caused the fan to come on?

3) When you can back and the fan was running, how did it turn off? Did it go off on its own, or was there a switch that you used? Could this switch be faulty?

4) The last thought is the possibility that the fan itself is faulty, and that it may have been in the "on" position, but stuck from turning on. And then when you, for example, shut the door on your way out, it may have been enough to jar the fan and get it to turn on.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Suzette on 8/11/2008
It's summertime and hot and we just moved into a new place with a gas fireplace; the pilot light is on and I'd like to turn it off completely until November. How do I do this?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 8/12/2008
Dear Suzette:

A couple of things regarding the proper way to turn off the pilot light for your gas fireplace.

First, the exact procedure will depend on the specific make and model of gas fireplace that you have. Each one can be a bit different. What you might try to is going online to the manufacture of your particular unit, and see if you can download a manual for your fireplace.

Second, many fireplace distributers recommend that you leave the pilot light ON, even during the summer. There are two key reasons for this: 1) it helps keep the unit and flue dry, which reduces the chances of problems from condensation; and 2) it helps prevent insects and animals from setting themselves up inside your flue and unit.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from nann on 10/12/2008
We have a vented gas log fireplace. We had our home inspected prior to moving in this past Spring. There were no issues found at that time. I know the home was vacant for some time before we moved in and I don't believe the fireplace has been used for a couple of years. Today I turned on the gas valve and tuned on the switch for the fireplace. Within a 1/2 hour the house smelled strongly of gas. Is this normal, will it go away? Or should we have this checked again. I'm not familiar with gas fireplaces but I don't see any other controls on the fireplace so I don't know if there is anything to adjust or not.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/12/2008
Dear Nann:

If you are smelling a strong odor of gas from your gas fireplace, then IMMEDIATELY shut down your fireplace and open some windows to air your house out. And do NOT turn your gas fireplace back on until you can get it inspected by a trained professional.

When a gas fireplace has been off for a while, it is not unusual that it might have a slight smell from dust than maybe burning off of the elements. But it should NEVER smell like gas, which would indicate some sort of gas leak.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from LeeAnn Martin on 10/21/2008
When we turn the switch on, on our gas fireplace the fireplace does not ignite. The piolit light is on but the gas logs are not buring. The damper is also open. What could be the problem.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/22/2008
Dear LeeAnn:

The possible reasons that the pilot light is on with your gas fireplace, but the fireplace is not burning can include:

1) If your fireplace has a thermostat, the thermostat could be defective, or set at a temperature that is lower than the current temperature in the room.

2) Your fireplace door could have a switch that must be in the closed position to operate, and if the door isn't fitting snugly, or if the switch is faulty, then this could be keeping the gas turned off to your logs.

3) There could be a loose wire somewhere in your system.

4) The pilot light sensor may not be reading the pilot light properly.

5) You could have a high limit on your vent pipe, which is there for safety reasons, and there could be a problem with it.

With the exception of possibly the door, the other items are fairly complicated to diagnose and correct, and we would suggest that you have a trained professional inspect your unit.

And if you smell gas at all, we suggest that you immediately turn off your fireplace, and open a window to air out your room. And you should contact a trained professional.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION from Cheryl Bender on 10/24/2008
Thank you for your quick response. I am using natural gas for both the fireplace and the oven. The poofing from the fireplace comes after it's been on for a while and continues the entire time it's on. Is that also due to irregularities in the gas supply or would that be something else? If it is the gas supply, do I call a repair man or the gas company? Something else I noticed is that the glass is very very dirty even though it was cleaned less than 6 months ago and has only been used 5 or 6 times since then. We have had the pilot light on the entire time. My last fireplace did not get this dirty even after daily use. Any relation to my poofing problem?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/24/2008
Dear Cheryl:

Given that you are running natural gas and seeing soot forming on your glass, I would say that your sooting and "poofing" are likely both caused by your gas fireplace being out of adjustment (or having some blockages) which is causing the fuel-air mixture of your gas fireplace to be incorrect. Soot is produced when incomplete combustion occurs. The flame does not burn efficiently, and carbon particles (soot) are produced. A good indicator of this is if the flames in your fireplace are more yellow than blue.

Regarding who to help you with inspecting and adjusting your gas fireplace, I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your fireplace, and ask them for a list of trained technicians in your area. Many manufactures will have this information available on their websites.

To be on the very safe side, I would not recommend running your gas fireplace until it is properly adjusted.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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FOLLOW-UP COMMENT from Cheryl Bender on 10/24/2008
You are super-duper!!! Thank you so much for helping me out. I definitely appreciate it.
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QUESTION from Gerald R Jenkinson Sr on 5/29/2008
Is there a gas fireplace intert unit available that is equips with co detector to shut down automatically?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 5/29/2008
Dear Gerald:

Yes, there are gas fireplace units that are equipped so that they will automatically shut down the fireplace if CO levels in the room get too high.

What you should look for are gas fireplace units that are approved by the American Gas Association ("AGA"), and that are equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS). This sensor can tell how much oxygen is left in the air near the bottom of your floor. The way it works is that as carbon monoxide starts to build up in the room, it dilutes the amount of oxygen in the room. And this then activates the sensor and the gas shuts off to the logs.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Chris on 11/28/2008
I have a circuit in my new house (constructed in 2007) that includes a gas fire place. I added a dimmer switch in the kitchen and needed to test a few breakers to find the right circuit and now the circuit with the gas fire place is out, even though all the breakers are in the right "on" position. The separate circuit that I installed the dimmer on works fine. I suspect that there may be a GFI breaker somewhere around the fire place. Any idea if I am on the right track? Do gas fire places come with a GFI and do I just need to find it, or is something else going on? If the GFI box is in/near the fire place where would it be? Could it be that one of my breakers has failed? Any suggestions?
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 11/28/2008
Dear Chris:

Yes, some models of gas fireplaces do have a built-in GFI in them, but they are usually outdoor models. If you have the owner's manual for your fireplace, it should tell you whether or not it has one. Or you can maybe download an owner's manual for your particular unit from the manufacturer's website.

But when you say you needed to test a few breakers, what did you do to test them? Did you just turn the breakers off and then right back on?

Depending on what you did to the circuit that the gas fireplace is on, it is possible that it may have damaged the circuit breaker. Here is a webpage that describes how to test a circuit breaker:

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Testing_Circuit_Breakers-Electrical_Boxes_and_Wiring-F2234.html

Please note that you should be VERY CAREFUL working around any of the electrical wiring in your home. And unless you are completely confident in what you are doing, we recommend bringing in a trained professional.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from robin edghill on 12/5/2008
I have a NVC36RN majestic fireplace. the pilot light is on but the logs don't light up when switched to on. I had a local service man come out and he said it was a bad gas valve. he said the that it would cost $800.00 to repair it. is this repair amount sound reseanable to you?
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/5/2008
Dear Robin:

Without having inspected and examined your gas fireplace and piping situation myself, and seeing what is involved in replacing your particular gas valve and other items that may have been included in this service person's quote, it is very difficult to comment on whether $800 is reasonable or not.

I would suggest that you contact at least one other local service person who is qualified to work on a Majestic brand gas fireplace, and have them come out and inspect your fireplace and to provide comparison quotes. They can also help confirm that it is actually the gas valve that is causing your problem.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from judy on 12/5/2008
our propane ventless fireplace insert pilot light goes out after a few minutes of burning. we have to continually keep lighting the pilot
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/5/2008
Dear Judy:

It could be that you are low on propane, or that dust or debris has built up on your sensor (which can be carefully cleaned off with a vacuum cleaner or gentle brushing), or have a bad thermocouple, etc.

However, we would STRONGLY suggest that when it comes to a gas fireplace, that it is best to have a local trained service technician thoroughly inspect your fireplace and correct any problems.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Jack on 12/10/2008
I have a Heat & Glow 6000 TRX gas fireplace and the pilot light went out over the summer. How do I light the pilot light?
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/10/2008
Dear Jack:

Here is a link to an owner's manual for Heat & Glow gas fireplaces that describes how to light your pilot:

http://www.heatnglo.com/customerCare/ownerManuals/gasManual.pdf

Please note that as you read the manual, that the specific lighting procedure will depend on the type of ignition system that you gas fireplace has. If you need it, here is a link to Heat & Glow's website where you request specific product information: http://www.heatnglo.com/contactUs/questions.asp

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Mike on 12/12/2008
My gas fireplace pilot light stays on but the switch when on doesn't ignite the main fire,what happened?
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/12/2008
Dear Mike:

The possible reasons why your pilot could be working but your main fire will not ignite, are:

1) If your fireplace has a thermostat, the thermostat could be defective, or set at a temperature that is lower than the current temperature in the room.

2) Your fireplace door could have a switch that must be in the closed position to operate, and if the door isn't fitting snugly, or if the switch is faulty, then this could be keeping the gas turned off to your logs.

3) There could be a loose wire somewhere in your system.

4) The pilot light sensor may not be reading the pilot light properly.

5) You could have a high limit on your vent pipe, which is there for safety reasons, and there could be a problem with it.

With the exception of possibly the door, the other items are fairly complicated to diagnose and correct, and we would suggest that you have a trained professional inspect your unit.

And if you smell gas at all, we suggest that you IMMEDIATELY turn off your fireplace, and open a window to air out your room. And you should contact a trained professional.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Harish on 12/12/2008
Hello There,

I have a and we lost the power today and gas fire place still worked ok when I flipped the electrical switch.

I am just curious to findout how this works. How does the valve open when there is no electricity and what does turning on electrical switch is actually doing?

Thank you,
-harish
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/13/2008
Dear Harish:

Yes, this is one of the really nice things about most gas fireplaces, that they can still work even though the power to your house is out. However, if you have a blower on your gas fireplace, unfortunately, the blower will not operate during a power outage.

To answer your question, if your gas fireplace has a standing pilot light, then it doesn't need to use household electricity for the flame. These type of gas fireplaces use what's called "millivolt" systems. A millivolt system has a device that produces enough electricity from the heat of the pilot light that it can operate millivolt switches for turning the fireplace on and off.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Joe on 12/27/2008
we just had the blower on the fan of our gas fireplace replaced. Howerver, after one day of working the blower does not circulate warm air into the room.
Also the thermostat that is controlled by a dial has stopped working.WE just paid $800 to have the blower replaced--are these problems connected--or do we now need a new thermostat?
Your advice would really be appreciated.

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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/27/2008
Dear Joe:

To understand your problem better, I'll need to ask you a couple of questions:

1) When you say that the blower on your gas fireplace "does not circulate warm air into the room", do you mean that the blower is not blowing strong enough? Or is it not turning on at all?

2) When you say "the thermostat . . . has stopped working", do you mean that when you turn the dial all the way up, that your fireplace doesn't turn on? Or is it just the blower that does not turn on?

3) Have you checked the fuse or circuit-breaker for your blower / fireplace?

Just let us know about these, and then we can help you further.

Home-Wizard.com
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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION from Joe on 12/27/2008
Thank you so much for you reply to our problem.

The blower does not seem to be turning on at al although it did work for about a day after the new one was installed on Monday of this week-the thermostat also does not turn on even when it is turned all the way up-

we checked all the circut breakers but can't find one that doesn't seem to be working-a technician from Direct Energy is on the way over here and hopefully it is only a circut breaker-but we don;t know where the breakers for the fireplace are-we just paid Direct Energy almost $900 to have the blower replaced.

Thank you for answering -Joe
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QUESTION from Joe on 12/27/2008
Thank you, problem solved

The techincian that installed the blower had unplugged the fan for his light and he forgot to put the plug back in after he had finished testing and checking his work.Phew-glad that's taken care of.

Much appreciation for your trying to solve our problem. 

I am bookmarking you in case of future problems. Good to know that you are "nearby".

Happy Holidays.
Joe
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/27/2008
Joe:

Glad to hear that your problem is resolved. I had the feeling that somehow your unit wasn't getting power.

Just let us know if we can help you in the future.

Regards,
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Joe on 12/27/2008
Its great to know that you are available.

Sincere appreciation for your taking the time to reply to our problem. 

You are bookmarked!

Thank you and happy holidays.
Joe
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QUESTION from CHRIS on 12/28/2008
I have had a Thelin Co. Parlour Direct Vent Gas Stove for about 5 years that is DV wall-vented (outside tube supplies fresh air & inside tube is for exiting gas); where, I will have the active flame & pilot GO OUT during the high and FREQUENT mountain wind gusts here in Breckenridge, CO (80424) at an altitude of 9800'. This is a 'pot-belly' stove that vents out the top 3' vertically w/ a 1' horizontal pipe to the outside wall w/ a square horizontal cap. The stove is in the basement, so a vertical rise to roof height (1 & 1/2 stories) is not possible. During high winds, I can observe the flame getting 'larger' w/ high wind gusts, then getting smaller as wind ceases, w/ the flame finally blowing out w/ continued high wind gusts. If I open the front (flame/pilot are OUT, stove is "OFF" & stove has vented gas) during these gusty times, you can feel significant cold air coming in the house from the outside w/ sufficient force to prevent a 'manual' lighting of the pilot (matches will be actually be 'blown out'). I usually use the 'pilot starter', just so you know.

Additionally, if I place the stove in 'pilot only' mode (not "ON"), the pilot will most always stay lit during high winds (but not always): The stove has an auto-gas shutdown feature when the pilot goes out (you hear a 'click' when the gas service is terminated). When this flame blow out occurs, we smell gas for a brief period - I believe there is so much wind coming into the stove from the outside that it is pushing the residual gas into the home following blow-out of the flame.

I'm wondering if the Air Shutter in the documentation needs adjustment by a service technician?

I noticed on Simpson's DuraVent web site that they now supply a 'high wind' horizontal cap, but I'm wondering if this will be sufficient to solve the problem?
http://www.duravent.com/pdf/dvp_caps2007.pdf

Otherwise, how can I have a service tech mitigate winds continually blowing out the flame?

I can be reached via email or my CELL (number removed for security reasons).

THX for your assistance here
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/28/2008
Dear Chris:

First, I want to thank you for sending in such a detailed explanation of your problem. I wish that everyone who submitted questions took the time that you have to thoroughly describe their situation. It really helps us to understand what your specific problem is, and how we can best assist you in resolving it.

Second, your instincts are correct, and yes, we would strongly recommend that you bring in a trained service technician who can physically examine your gas fireplace and how it is located in your house, and who can make the necessary changes to stop the problems that you are having from high winds.

The reason I suggest that you have someone who can physically see your situation, is that there a three challenging situations with locating gas fireplaces:

1) High altitudes.

2) Basement locations.

3) High winds.

. . . and you have all three of these challenges together!

For example, regarding you being at a high altitude, some direct vent gas fireplaces require that when installing the unit at an elevation above 2000 feet that it may be necessary to decrease the input rating by changing the existing burner orifice to a smaller size. And for these, the input should be reduced 4 percent for each 1000 feet above sea level. However, if the heating value of the gas has been reduced, this general rule may not apply. But regardless, it is always best to check with local authorities for assistance in determining the proper orifice for a particular location.

But you are operating your gas fireplace at an altitude of almost 10,000 feet !

And regarding having your gas fireplace in your basement, this creates another challenge for your vent pipe to have a long enough vertical rise to get a good draft, but still being able to be clear of windows to meet regulations.

And the third challenging situation is high winds which can disrupt air flows around your intake/vent pipes.

Given that you have all three of these challenging situations together, I would definitely suggest that you contact an authorized Thelin dealer in your area (here is Thelin's webpage for locating a dealer in Colorado: http://www.thelinco.com/dealers.htm ), and find a trained Thelin service technician who can physically evaluate your installation and make the appropriate suggestions that will enable you to operate your gas fireplace safely for your particular situation.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Tony Symon on 12/29/2008
How do I inspect a fireplace flue And damper for problems, and how to correct any existing problems. My Fireplace is a very old wood & gas burning built in stone with a chimney.
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/29/2008
Dear Tony:

Here is a webpage that walks you through the steps for how to inspect a fireplace flue and damper:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/chimneys/Chimney_Inspection.htm


Hope this is helpful. If you still need additional information, just let us know. 
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Anthoney Lowry on 1/1/2009
We have a natural gas vented fireplace that we use almost daily. Twice in the last ten days there has been a strong odor, kind of like burning plastic, coming from it that sets off the carbon monoxide detector. The flue is open and clean all the way to the top of the chimney which runs straight up from the top of the fireplace. The first time i found half of a bird behind the logs and thought that may have been the problem. But this time nothing was in the fireplace that is not supposed to be there. The logs have also started to soot up, something that hasn't happened before either. Any ideas what might be the problem? Thanks.
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ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 1/1/2009
Dear Anthoney:

It sounds like something has definitely changed with your vented gas fireplace. Setting off CO monitors and sudden sooting are NOT good signs.

I would suggest that you not take any chances, and contact your natural gas supplier about having a trained service technician come out to do a visual inspection of your fireplace, burner, pilot and flue. In the meantime, I would strongly suggest not running your fireplace.

Probably not the answer you were hoping for, but it is best to play it safe, especially a vented gas fireplace in your home.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-wizard.com
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QUESTION from Paul on 9/11/2009
I recently bought a home that has a gas fire place that is operated by an on/off switch. I found out that there is a small blue flame all the time and that is even keeping the glass window covering the area slightly warm. Is this normal, to have a continuous flame., (the glass window enclosing the fire place seems to be closed shut) Thanks, Paul.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 9/11/2009
Paul:

Yes, this continuous blue flame is normal. It is the pilot light that stays lit even when the switch for your gas fireplace is in the "off" position. And yes, the sealed glass on the front of the fireplace will feel slightly warm.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from HVACgirl on 9/26/2009
I have a GDS50 Napoleon fireplace insert and a Regency P-36 fireplace insert. Both run on propane. Both are 9 years old and the pilot light was on both this morning. I cleaned them as I do each September, and now the pilot won't stay on for either. I am convinced based on my internet searches that this is a thermocouple problem. 

Can you explain to me how to remove the thermocouple (esp. on the Regency) ?

Also, where can I find a replacement? Both of these companies require you to be a dealer in order to buy from them.


ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 9/27/2009
Dear HVACgirl:

Yes, because your gas fireplace is running on propane, it will tend to burn up thermocouples much faster than if you were running on natural gas.

None of here at Home-Wizard have been trained on either Napoleon or Regency gas fireplaces, so unfortunately we cannot advise you on the procedure for replacing their thermocouples.

However, what I've done personally, is that I hired someone to replace the thermocouple who had agreed to allow me to watch them do it (so that I could do it myself in the future), and then they brought out several extra thermocouples with them which they sold me.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Ken on 9/30/2009
I have a peterson real-fyre gas log set (vented) that has been in place for about three years. It recently started creating a lot of soot in the room. I was wondering what might cause this and what can be done to remedy this.

Thanks

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/13/2009
Dear Ken:

First, if you are seeing soot coming into the room from your gas log fireplace, you should stop using it until you have your chimney checked.

Here is a webpage from Hearth.com that discusses gas log sooting problems:

http://hearth.com/econtent/index.php/QA_Templates/info/1944/

As you will read in this webpage, the causes of gas log sooting can be: 1) that your chimney needs cleaning; and/or 2) that your gas logs need to be serviced. Either if these can lead to serious safety problems.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from steveme4ever on 10/13/2009
I just moved into an apartment with a gas fireplace. I lit the pilot, but the knob will not move from the "pilot" position to the "on" position after the pilot is lit. Would it work to light it when it is in the on position in the first place. or is it not working because that is some kind of safety thing.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/14/2009
Dear steveme4ever:

When it comes to gas fireplaces, it is always best to careful. I would suggest that you contact (or find the website of) the manufacturer of the specific model of gas fireplace that you have, and get the operating manual which describes exactly the procedure for lighting your particular gas fireplace. Do NOT try to light it in the on position (although most models will turn off the gas supply when the pilot is off).

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Colleen on 10/17/2009
I have a Majestic Fireplace, model 36BDVR. It is a builder model. I need to clean the glass however I do not know how to remove the glass. How does the glass come off?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 10/17/2009
Dear Collen:

I'm not familiar with the particular Majestic model 36BDVR. But here is a link to the Majestic website that shows the operating manuals for the fireplaces that they manufacture: http://www.majesticproducts.com/index.asp?rgn=USA&nav=Y&pag=support/specs.asp

I didn't see the 36BDVR model listed. Is the 36BDVR possibly an older model? There is a contact page on their website, and also a local dealer locator. And you can contact them to find out specifically how to remove, clean and properly re-install the glass on this particular model of fireplace.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Bill on 11/7/2009
My gas fireplace won't light when the electric switch is turned on. In fact when the switch is flipped on, the gas pilot light slowly goes out. There is a click noise when the switch is flipped, then the flame goes out. But if I hold the pilot light knob in when the switch is flipped, the pilot light stays on, but nothing happens. What part should I be replacing?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 11/8/2009
Dear Bill:

First, we believe that when it comes to gas fireplaces, that for safety reasons that they should be inspected and serviced by trained technicians who can actually see your unit and have been trained to make the appropriate changes.

With that said, from what you have described, it sounds like your gas fireplace may have a problem with its thermocouple. If your unit is fired with propane, which burns hotter than natural gas, then your thermocouple will tend to burn out more often.

Here is a webpage that describes how to diagnose problems with a thermocouple:
http://hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/how_gas_works 

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard
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QUESTION from Patricia on 11/9/2009
We have a regency gas fireplace with a wall thermostat. It has a poof when it turns off. We wonder if it is getting too much air or not enough air? We had a service man install a new blower a few months ago and he adjusted the air flow and we have had the problem since then. I keep trying to readjust the air and can't seem to get it right. Do I need more air or less air?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 11/9/2009
Dear Patricia:

Is your gas fireplace operating on propane or natural gas? If you are running on propane and your gas fireplace makes only a small "poof" every once in a while, then this is probably due to slight irregularities in your gas supply, and should not be a problem. 

However, if you are referring to it making the "poof" sound when it FIRST comes on, then this could be caused by something like a small ember blocking your pilot light, causing a delayed ignition problem. To correct this, the pilot light area just needs to be cleaned out.

As always, we recommend any work on a gas fireplace should be done by a trained service person who can physically inspect your unit and who has been trained to work on your particular model of gas fireplace.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Patricia on 11/9/2009
The fireplace operates on natural gas and the poof is when it turns off. I think it's in the air adjustment, but I don't know if it needs more air or less air. The service person we had readjusted the air flow and it's been poofing ever since.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 11/9/2009
Dear Patricia:

That is odd that you get the poof when you turn your gas fireplace off. And depending on how the service tech adjusted the air flow, they may have adjusted the damper position in the flue stack, so adjusting the flow may require more than just changing the positions of the knobs from the front of your unit (depending on your particular model).

If it would help you, here are a couple of things:

1) a link for finding a local Regency gas fireplace dealer near you, who will be familiar with your particular model of fireplace: http://www.regency-fire.com/Dealer_Locator/index.php.

2) a link to the Regency customer service webpage, if you want to contact them: http://www.regency-fire.com/Contact/

3) a link to where you can download the operating manual for your particular Regency gas fireplace: http://www.regency-fire.com/TechDocuments/Manuals/

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from rcdave on 11/24/2009
I have a Majestic DVBR 42" direct-vent gas fireplace with a clear glass panel front. Can I take the glass off, or is it required to stay on?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 11/24/2009
Dear rcdave:

Here is webpage on Majestic's website that has owner's manuals for their direct vent gas fireplaces:

http://www.majesticproducts.com/index.asp?rgn=USA&nav=Y&pag=support/specs.asp

I could not find your particular model, but if you look on page 44 of this model of their direct vent gas fireplaces, it shows how the glass can be removed:

http://www.majesticproducts.com/product/manuals/74D0010%20DVBL%20REV%2010.pdf

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Randy campbell on 12/1/2009
Is it ok to run fireplace without the fan running?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/2/2009
Dear Randy:

I assume that you are referring to a gas-fired fireplace. And yes, it is fine to run a gas fireplace without the fan running, provided however that it has been installed properly with the appropriate clearances around the unit and above it. These areas may get very hot when the fan isn't running, but again, as long as the clearances are correct, you should be alright.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Barry Z. on 12/2/2009
Hi, I have a Majestic Model HE32 gas insert that recently quit working. I removed the glass door and relit the pilot light and, while it works fine without the door, it shuts down (pilot light too) when I reinstall the door. There is a slight odour when it's going that I'm assuming is a result of the door not being on. Any ideas? Thanks.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/13/2009
Dear Barry:

From what you've described, it sounds like you may have a blockage somewhere in the exhaust system of your fireplace. Whenever the flow of exhaust gases up a chimney of a gas fireplace is impeded by either a blockage, wind, or atmospheric conditions, then exhaust gases build up in the fire box until the pilot flame is extinguished from lack of oxygen. As soon as the pilot goes out, the thermopile cools and stops generating the millivolt of electrical current that is required for the valve to open that allows the flow of gas to the burner. And when this valve closes, then the main flame for your gas fireplace goes out too. 

This is a safety precaution, to prevent the poisonous gases created by the fire from entering your breathing space whenever anything interferes with the flow of exhaust up your chimney. 

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from carole on 12/9/2009
our fireplace is propane - it stays lit for from 15 minutes to an hour and then just goes out and won't relight. the company is out of business - my husband thinks it is the gas supply and it is partially stopped up. The outside tank is full. help !!

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/13/2009
Dear Carole:

I would suggest that you have a trained professional physically inspect your gas fireplace.

From just your description, it sounds like the problem could be an obstruction in your gas fireplace's vent system. Whenever the flow of exhaust gases up a chimney of a gas fireplace is impeded by either a blockage, wind, or atmospheric conditions, then exhaust gases build up in the fire box until the pilot flame is extinguished from lack of oxygen. As soon as the pilot goes out, the thermopile cools and stops generating the millivolt of electrical current that is required for the valve to open that allows the flow of gas to the burner. And when this valve closes, then the main flame for your gas fireplace goes out too. This is a safety precaution, to prevent the poisonous gases created by the fire from entering your breathing space whenever anything interferes with the flow of exhaust up your chimney.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Jeff on 12/11/2009
We have a new vent-free gas log set. The pilot light is loud and the gas makes a loud sound when the logs are lit. The gas sound is even louder when you turn the flame down. What could be causing the loud gas sound?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/13/2009
Dear Jeff:

I would suggest that you have a trained professional come out, who can physically inspect your gas log fireplace. From what you've described, the problem could be that the flow to your pilot light may need to be adjusted downward, and that the sizing of the lines to your fireplace may not be correct. But again, you really need to have someone who can come out and physically hear and inspect your fireplace.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from cmeyer on 12/11/2009
We have A Heat and Glo 600TV Oak gas fireplace. There are two switches, one on either side. The left one ignites the unit, but don't know what the right does. Is it for the blower? The blower doesn't turn on, even after running for 30 min.s or so and seems very hot on the glass. Does it have a thermostat that just takes longer to turn on the blower? I'll called the manuf. and they said that we must not have a blower, but then why the switch? Am I missing something? Is the unit just for show?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/13/2009
Dear cmeyer:

If you do have a blower in your gas fireplace, the problem could be that the temperature sensor that activates your blower may have gone bad. Most gas fireplaces with blowers are designed so that the temperature of your fireplace has to be raised to a certain temperature before turning on, so the unit doesn't blow out cold air. If your sensor has gone bad, then the blower will never start.

And it is possible that your unit may not have a blower, but that it still has a dummy switch on the panel. I looked online for you, and I couldn't find a model "600TV" made by Heat & Glo, so I could not tell if your unit was designed with a blower.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Lois on 1/6/2010
I just purchased a home that has a Heat-n-Glo gas fireplace. How can I tell if it has a blower?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 1/6/2010
Dear Lois:

If you have the model number, here is a link to find a Heat-n-Glo fireplace dealer near you:

http://www.heatnglo.com/dealerLocator/index.asp

And with the model number, they should be able to tell you whether it has a blower, or how you can determine if one has been added to it.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION from Lois on 1/7/2010
Thank you very much for your timely response. I will contact the dealer.

Thanks again.
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