It’s important to understand how your gas fireplace or appliance works to ensure it’s ready for use when you need it. If you’re not sure if the gas is on at your house or not, then you must first call your gas company. You should always check the gas first, next check the flame for the pilot, and then the on/off knob. Gas fireplaces are simple, which is why they are very popular among homeowners, realtors, hotels and inns.
Gas Appliances
Many homeowners are afraid of gas appliances, sure that the gas will leak into the home. This is possible, of course, but not as likely as many assume. In fact, if you use your gas appliance according to the owner’s manual and have it properly maintained on a regular basis, you shouldn’t have a problem at all. One way that gas may leak into the house is if the gas is on, but the pilot is not lit. Newer models may not make this possible, but it’s important to light the pilot properly on all models to avoid a dangerous problem.
Lighting the Pilot
There are a few types of gas appliances out there. We have gas fireplaces, log sets, and stoves. All of them require a pilot light to work. The good news is that once the pilot is lit, you don’t need to worry about it again until the next spring.
- Find the pilot and controls. Ideally, the fireplace controls are out of sight, so you need to find them. This information is in your owner’s guide, but you can also look around. They are usually near the floor of the fireplace, behind the metal grate or plate.
- Locate the pilot or ignition switch. If you have an ignition switch, lighting your pilot is as easy as the push of a button. However, if you don’t, you’ll need to light the pilot with a long-handled lighter.
- Find the control knob. It should have settings such as “on”, “off”, and “pilot”, like the knobs you’d find on a gas stove. If the control knob is on any setting other than “off”, you must burn it off for several minutes before proceeding to light.
- If you have an ignition button, you can press it one time every second until the pilot lights. This process may take several seconds if the fireplace has been off for a long time. If there is no ignition button, hold the lighted flame beneath the pilot burner while pushing and holding the control knob in. When you see the pilot light is burning steadily, turn the control knob to the “on” position.
Once your fireplace pilot is properly lit, you can go on and use your fireplace. There are many benefits to a gas fireplace, such as supplemental heat during the winter. You can have the fireplace of your dreams when you get a gas appliance from The Cozy Flame, call a Comfort Consultant today at 203-283-4459 to get started!