A gas fireplace is a wonderful addition to any home. They add warmth and ambiance, but they also need to be lit with a pilot light before you can enjoy the flames. A pilot light is lit by flipping on your gas valve and using a long lighter or matchstick to ignite it. But what if your fireplace won’t stay lit? If this has happened, don’t worry! This article will provide instructions on how to get your fire going again in no time flat.
Gas fireplace pilot lights are an integral part of the gas fireplace system. This guide will help you understand how they work, and what to do if they don’t light!
What is a Gas Fireplace Pilot Light?
A pilot light is an ignition source used to ignite gas for your fireplace. It uses a small amount of natural gas at all times, which means you do not need to use it often or wait for the system to warm up before turning on your fireplace. Pilot lights are especially useful during winter months when temperatures drop and people want to spend time indoors by their fireplaces.
- If your pilot light goes out, you can re-light it quickly and easily. However, if it continues to go out or is hard to ignite, the problem may be a faulty thermocouple (the safety switch). You will need to contact a professional for assistance in these cases.
- It’s important that flames are blue when starting up your fireplace; this indicates there isn’t too much gas flowing through – which could cause an explosion!
- If you notice yellow flames, turn the gas supply off and contact a professional to come over.
- They will determine whether the thermocouple is faulty or there are other issues.
- You can adjust the height of your gas fireplace’s flame by using your remote control. The first step is to turn on the pilot light. You will know it is lit when you see blue or orange flames coming out of the top of the unit, depending on what type of model you have. Once this has been done, press and hold down one of the buttons so that they are all illuminated at once; then release them after about five seconds.
Pressing these buttons again turns off each individual burner (the number corresponds with which button was pressed). To decrease or increase how large your fire appears in comparison to its surroundings, use only two fingers to press the top or bottom buttons, respectively. Please note that this does not affect how hot your fire will burn; it simply controls its size and intensity. Use these buttons to find a comfortable balance between warmth and ambience in your room!
How to Check the Gas Level
To check the gas level, first turn off the pilot light. Using a ladder or step stool, reach up to inspect the burner pipe where it meets with your fireplace’s decorative facade. If you find any soot on this area of your chimney system, wipe away excess dirt and debris before continuing. Once all visible traces are gone from around the pipes, slowly unscrew each connection until gas begins to leak out in small amounts (the key here is to not release too much air at once). The point of doing this is that upon inspection you can determine if there is still an adequate amount of propane left inside based on how quickly these connections release their contents into the atmosphere. At some point during this process—and without letting too much gas escape—you should be able to see the liquid propane that remains in your fireplace’s tank. If you cannot, then it is likely time to call a local service company and have this unit refilled with fuel.
The most important part of checking the gas level is ensuring no open flames are present while inspecting or cleaning any parts of your system. If at any point during these steps there is an accidental spark created from static electricity buildup, the resulting explosion could cause damage not only to yours but also surrounding properties as well! So make sure all matches and lighters are put away until after everything has been turned off again before making contact with anything that can produce fire when exposed air currents.
How to Adjust the Flame Height on a Gas Fireplace Pilot Light
You can adjust the height of your gas fireplace’s flame by using your remote control. The first step is to turn on the pilot light. You will know it is lit when you see blue or orange flames coming out of the top of the unit, depending on what type of model you have. Once this has been done, press and hold down one of the buttons so that they are all illuminated at once; then release them after about five seconds.
Pressing these buttons again turns off each individual burner (the number corresponds with which button was pressed). To decrease or increase how large your fire appears in comparison to its surroundings, use only two fingers to drag up for larger flames and drag down for smaller ones. You can also decrease or increase the height of flames by pressing the up and down arrows on your remote control. To return to a normal flame size, press one time until all lights are illuminated again.
Adjusting the flame height on a gas fireplace pilot light
You can adjust the height of your gas fireplace’s flame by using your remote control. The first step is to turn on the pilot light. You will know it is lit when you see blue or orange flames coming out of the top of the unit, depending on what type of model you have. Once this has been done, press and hold down one of the buttons so that they are all illuminated at once; then release them after about five seconds.
Pressing these buttons again turns off each individual burner (the number corresponds with which button was pressed). To decrease or increase how large your fire appears in comparison to its surroundings, use only two fingers to press the top or bottom buttons, respectively.
Please note that this does not affect how hot your fire will burn; it simply controls its size and intensity. Use these buttons to find a comfortable balance between warmth and ambience in your room!
Adjusting the flame height on a gas fireplace pilot light
You can adjust the height of your gas fireplace’s flame by using your remote control. The first step is to turn on the pilot light. You will know it is when you see blue or orange flames coming out of the pilot light. Next, press and hold down the up or down button on your remote control until you see that gas fireplace flame turn off. You can then lower or raise the gas fire’s flames by using either one of these buttons again to adjust it exactly where you want it.
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Problems
Here are some of the most common problems that people experience with these lights and how to solve them:
- A pilot light does not stay lit. This is usually due to a faulty gas valve, which can be easily replaced. Make sure you shut off the main switch before working on any parts of this system!
- Cirrus fireplaces need an electrical connection in order for their pilot light systems to work properly (otherwise they will only emit smoke). If your fireplace requires electricity but it is not present where you have installed it, then we recommend hiring a professional electrician who has done similar projects before. Don’t try fixing this problem yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing or if aren’t completely confident about doing so.
- A pilot light that is constantly on. First, make sure the main switch isn’t also turned to “on”. If it is and you can fix this by yourself without needing any additional tools or materials then go ahead and do so. However, if not we recommend getting in touch with a professional as soon as possible so they can take care of this issue for you! We definitely wouldn’t want anyone potentially hurting themselves just because something like this wasn’t taken care of properly.
- A pilot light that goes out after a few seconds or minutes. This is usually caused by an issue with the thermocouple, which measures temperature and tells the gas valve when to release more gas into your fireplace system. It’s most likely due to corrosion, but could also be due to build up of dust and other particles in the air (which means you need a professional cleaner). If cleaning doesn’t do anything then we recommend getting it replaced as soon as possible!
- The pilot light will not stay lit even after the thermocouple has been replaced. This might be caused by a faulty gas valve, which can also be easily fixed if you have an understanding of how this system works and what part is causing the issue (i.e., do enough research beforehand). If there are any other problems with your fireplace we strongly recommend hiring either a professional or someone who knows exactly what they’re doing to fix it for you! There’s no need to put yourself in danger – especially since these kinds of projects typically require heavy tools and materials that could potentially cause harm if handled incorrectly…
Cleaning Your Gas Fireplace Pilot Light
When your gas fireplace pilot light is misfiring, causing the flame to constantly go out or be very inconsistent in size and color, you may need to clean it. There are two ways that you can do this: manually cleaning the combustion chamber of your unit or disassembling it completely for a better manual inspection. If done correctly either method will work just fine, but if not then proceed with caution when removing parts from your unit as they can break easily.
Cleaning Your Gas Fireplace Pilot Light: When your gas fireplace pilot light is misfiring, causing the flame to constantly go out or be very inconsistent in size and color, you may need to clean it. There are two ways that you can do this: manually cleaning the combustion chamber of your unit or disassembling it completely for a better manual inspection. If done correctly either method will work just fine, but if not then proceed with caution when removing parts from your unit as they can break easily. You’ll want to inspect each part before putting them back into place so that no pieces get lost while doing the process and don’t forget about taking apart any decorative covers like glass panels on top of your firebox either (if applicable). If you have a glass panel, do not use any abrasive cleaners as this can cause permanent damage to the tempered surface.
- A vacuum is the best way to clean up any leftover ash or dust.
How To Clean Your Gas Fireplace Pilot Light: When your gas fireplace pilot light is misfiring, causing the flame to constantly go out or be very inconsistent in size and color, you may need to clean it. There are two ways that you can do this: manually cleaning the combustion chamber of your unit or disassembling it completely for a better manual inspection. If done correctly either method will work just fine, but if not then proceed with caution when removing parts from your unit as they can break easily. You’ll want to inspect each part before putting them back into place so that no pieces get lost while the process and don’t forget about taking apart any decorative covers like glass panels on top of your firebox either (if applicable). If you have a glass panel, do not use any abrasive cleaners as this can cause permanent damage to the tempered surface.
Replacing Your Gas Fireplace Pilot Light Bulb and Wires
When you need to replace your gas fireplace pilot light bulbs and wires, it’s not a hard task. However, there are some things that you should know before beginning the project on your own. If you don’t plan ahead or if you do something incorrectly, you can actually make more work for yourself down the road. So follow these steps when replacing the old ones from start to finish:
- Turn off power supply at main panel of home/building
- Remove screws holding glass cover in place
- Loosen set screw w/ wrench until lamp holder is free
- Pull wire lead out of socket hole gently without pulling too much cord through wall opening (if applicable)
- Unscrew bulb base by hand only while turning counter clockwise
- Replace with new bulb and secure hand tight only
- Install wire lead into socket hole gently without pulling too much cord through wall opening (if applicable)
Secure set screw w/ wrench until lamp holder is snug but not overly tight or loose against glass cover plate. This will ensure the safety of your fireplace pilot light. If you don’t tighten it enough, it can come off while you’re using your fire place; if you tighten it to tightly, this could either break the glass cover or snap the metal part that holds up your gas line inside your home’s walls by accident. You’ll have a very difficult time trying to find these parts once they fly out from inside the wall they are so small in size.
Test the new pilot light by turning on power supply at main panel of home/building and then lighting it with a match or lighter.
If your fireplace won’t turn on, repeat steps one through seven until you’ve done everything correctly. It’s normal to have to try this process two or three times before you get it right if this is your first time replacing these components.
- Secure screws in place to hold glass cover
- Turn on power supply at main panel of home/building
- Secure screws in place holding glass cover in place
- Test fireplace pilot light by turning it on with a match or lighter
Environmental Protection
The EPA has regulations for emissions of certain air pollutants. They have regulations about the quality and control of gas mixtures that are burned to prevent incomplete combustion, which can lead to formation of CO or other harmful gases. A clean-burning appliance will result in less pollution. The ULC Gas Appliance Code is a Canadian code governing safety standards for appliances using propane, natural gas, oil, coal, wood pellets or electricity as fuel sources.
Safety Tips
- Always be sure that the gas fireplace is turned off before adjusting or servicing it. This could mean turning both knobs to “off” and then waiting five minutes. If you are unsure, use a professional for service.
- Never attempt to light your pilot light by lighting up paper towels with a match as this can release toxic concentrations of carbon monoxide into your home. A safer option would be holding a lit match near each side of the burner assembly allowing enough time for all gases in the unit to escape prior to ignition.
- When turning off your gas fireplace, do not turn the knob from “off” to a number in between heat settings. This will release gases into your home and leave you with a potentially hazardous situation.
- This guide is meant to give users an idea of how their specific units work along with general safety tips when dealing with them. There are many different types of units available which can make lighting up or adjusting these appliances difficult for some people so read carefully!
FAQs
Is it safe to use a match?
It is unsafe. Every home should have the appropriate tools for the job, which includes safety equipment that protects you from gas leaks caused by poorly lighting or maintained pilot lights. What are some of these products? The best products typically include natural gas detection alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These are important investments even if your fireplace has electronic ignition instead of manual pilot light because they help give you peace of mind while also protecting yourself during both day and night time hours when accidents can happen more easily without notice. Even with an electric ignition system keep in mind that there could still be times when batteries die down so having backup ways to discover problems such as smoke detectors will ensure greater protection than relying on just one faulty electronic ignition system.
Can I safely use a gas fireplace if my pilot light isn't working?
It is not safe to use a faulty or broken lighter on your vent free propane fire place because of the risk that it may cause an explosion, which could be deadly for those in close vicinity as well as those who are unaware such as sleeping children and pets. If you have experienced problems with lighting these fires before then avoid trying again unless you want to take the chance at causing damage to yourself and others around you. If you have had success in the past and your fireplace is more than a few years old it would be wise to invest in monthly inspections from professionals that can give you peace of mind.
How do I light my gas logs?
There are several ways to safely ignite your vent free propane fire place. The most common way involves using an electronic ignition system such as one found on traditional pilot lights, which also come with manual lighters if preferred instead. Another option includes using a matchstick or lighter but these tools can potentially cause problems with lighting so make sure they stay away from any materials that could catch fire when exposed for too long including curtains, rugs, wooden floors or furniture. If this isn't working then contact a professional to help with the job.
Can I turn on my gas fireplace without burning propane?
It is possible but not recommended for safety concerns as well as potential damage caused by carbon monoxide leaks due to improperly lit fires. If you choose this option, always keep a window open (preferably one that faces outside) and ensure there are no obstructions blocking the opening such as curtains or furniture before lighting your fire place which can cause deadly build up of gases if they aren't allowed to escape freely into the atmosphere. Carbon Monoxide detectors should also be placed in close proximity because these tools will indicate any problems even earlier than smell so you have more time to react appropriately either by leaving your home until it has passed over or calling a professional to help fix the issue.
What is a pilot light?
A pilot light in a gas fireplace serves as an ignition source that helps ignite propane for your fire place through natural gas, which can be done either manually or electronically depending on preference and various other factors such as age of equipment. In general these tools are one way valves with small holes beneath them which allow pressurized gas from the main line into the device where it mixes with air so it's combustible when exposed to heat from lit lighters or matches above its opening. The flame produced by this process comes out through openings at fuel chamber level while any excess gases pass out through primary burner nozzle located just below the smaller opening before being released into the atmosphere.
What is the best way to light a pilot light?
The easiest and safest method for lighting your gas fireplace pilot light involves using an electric ignition system like one found on traditional starter logs which usually come with its own remote control that can be used from across the room or even outside of it if you want to keep yourself safe during colder weather conditions when exposed for too long could lead to frostbite, hypothermia or other illnesses caused by cold exposure. If this doesn't work another option includes trying again but only after waiting about 45 seconds in between attempts because often times allowing some time between tries allows any excess gas that has built up inside of your device time to dissipate you don't risk either injuring yourself or damaging your fireplace. If neither of these work then it might be time to call a professional because the problem could lie on either end of the spectrum with risks ranging from potential carbon monoxide leaks, damage caused by poor lighting or other problems that will need more than first-hand experience to fix safely and properly. For this reason always keep safety in mind when dealing with any gas related issues as they can become deadly if allowed to reach extremes without proper precautionary measures taken during usage.
Conclusion
Gas fireplace pilot lights are easy to use. If you’re looking for a simple way to get your gas fireplace heating, these appliances can provide hours of enjoyment with minimal upkeep.
Follow the user guide instructions carefully and you shouldn’t have any problems getting started with your new appliance! When it comes time to replace or clean out the pilot light, make sure that everything is properly removed before trying again. It may take some trial and error if anything goes wrong but generally speaking they are very reliable machines once installed correctly on your stove top/fireplace area. Once this process is done, all that remains is enjoying its convenience by using it as often as possible throughout winter months ahead!