How to Start a Gas Fireplace For the First Time?
A gas fireplace is a great way to add comfort and warmth to your home during the cold season. They are also very easy to use. In fact, they’re often the favorite choice of homeowners who want to enjoy a warm fire without having to chop or haul wood.
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There’s nothing quite like the ambiance of a roaring fire on a chilly night. But if you’re just starting out with your gas fireplace, or you’ve never started one before, it can be difficult to know how to get the thing to work. Here are a few basic steps that you can follow to start your fireplace for the first time:
- Locate the shut-off valve assembly on the gas line connected to your fireplace (this may be behind the front cover or under the decorative glass). Turn the handle on the valve parallel to the direction of the pipes until it is on and off.
- Locate the pilot assembly in your fireplace (it’s usually located underneath and/or behind logs). Using your wall switch or remote, press and hold the ignition button for a few seconds to generate sparks until the pilot light lights.
- Find the red or black piezoelectric spark ignitor button (located within and/or behind the logs). Push it to confirm that there is a spark at the end of the pilot tube.
- Once the pilot is lit, continue to press and hold the ignition button until all the logs are lit. Then, release the ignition button.
- If your gas fireplace has a control panel, remove the screen or cover to access it. The controls should have settings for “on,” “off,” and “pilot.”
- If your gas fireplace has a key, find it and open it. You’ll need this to turn the gas valve and adjust the height of the flames.
- If you’re not sure what to do, consult your fireplace’s user manual. Every fireplace is different, so knowing how to light and adjust yours will help you avoid dangerous and even lethal, accidents.
- If your gas fireplace has a thermostat, check the temperature setting to see what temperature it should be at. If it’s too high or too low, you’ll need to turn it down to match the temperature of the air.
- If your gas fireplace has a thermocouple, test it to make sure it’s working. If it’s not, you’ll need to contact a professional.
- If your gas fireplace has a remote, follow the directions on the remote. These instructions should be similar to those for a manual fireplace.
- If your gas fireplace has a manual control, you can manually ignite the pilot by holding down the “pilot” position on the control knob for at least 30 seconds and then releasing it slowly.
- If your gas fireplace has a thermostat, change the temperature setting to match the current outdoor temperatures. This will ensure your flames are consistent throughout the day and night.