What makes a good gas fireplace?
Ventless gas fireplaces, in particular, are popular because they're clean and easy to use. Also known as unvented or vent-free fireplaces, a ventless gas fireplace operates with natural gas or liquid propane (LP) that flows into a gas burner mounted in the fireplace. When ignited, the flames run through gaps in artificial ceramic fiber logs ...
What does a gas fireplace smell like?
The most common smells associated with gas fireplaces are the smell of a “clean” fireplace, burning wood, and an occasional whiff of natural gas. A clean-burning flame emits just enough carbon dioxide to create that pleasant smoky scent without emitting harmful soot particles or other gases into your home’s air supply…
Why does my gas fireplace smell like burning?
Why Does My Fireplace Smell Like Burning Plastic?
- Paint. Paint is usually the cause of a weird smell when you light your fireplace for the first time. ...
- Dust And Debris. If your fireplace was left unused for some time, chances are a lot of dust and debris has filled up your chimney and firebox.
- Air Quality Issues And Strong-Smelling Products. ...
- Damaged Fireplace. ...
Are ventless gas fireplaces supposed to have a 'gassy' smell?
Are ventless gas fireplaces supposed to have a ‘gassy’ smell? BEWARE: Your fireplace should never smell like a gas leak. If you feel you have a leak – turn of the gas, leave the building and call the gas company.
Are you supposed to smell the gas from a gas fireplace?
Why Does a Gas Fireplace Smell Like Gas When Turned On? The smell you notice when using some gas appliances actually isn't natural – it's added to the gas to make it easier to detect a leak. However, it's perfectly normal for a gas fireplace to vent a small amount of gas when it's first turned on.
How do I know if my gas fireplace is leaking gas?
Turn on the gas and check for any bubbles to appear. If you see bubbles start to appear, then you have a gas leak.
Why does my gas fireplace make my house smell like gas?
Some gas odors result from the fireplace spilling exhausts that should go up the flue, failing to make it out of the house. You may notice, this odor isn't quite like natural gas but smells like a kitchen range after the burners have been on for too long.
Are fumes from gas fireplace harmful?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. While there are many potential sources of such exposure—including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles, and wood stoves—gas fireplaces are a common culprit.
How do I know if my gas fireplace is safe?
A properly operating gas fireplace will have a safe and secure glass enclosure, will ignite without delay, have a clean blueish color flame and will vent properly out through a termination cap that is clear from debris or obstruction.
Can you smell gas from a pilot light?
Note that it is totally normal on automatic pilots (pilots that do NOT stay lit all the time) to smell a little natural gas when the are first turned on. A little gas will escape as the pilot and burners light on your heat or appliance.
Why do I smell gas from my ventless fireplace?
Ventless logs do in fact produce an unmistakable odor, some more so than others depending on the quality of the brand. There is no way of preventing this, it is simply the nature of burning gas in your home without exhausting the fumes up a chimney.
Should my ventless gas fireplace smell?
Ventless gas fireplaces can give off a sulfur-like smell, especially if the fireplace is new or has not been cleaned in a while. Other factors, such as having fresh paint nearby or too much dust, can contribute to more smells when using the fireplace. For best results, service the fireplace once a year.
What are the symptoms of a gas leak?
If you detect any of the following signs of a natural gas leak in your house or think you have been exposed, contact 911 immediately.The smell of rotten eggs. ... Hissing sounds. ... Air bubbles outside your home. ... Dead or dying plants. ... Physical symptoms of natural gas poisoning. ... Higher-than-normal gas usage.
Do you need a carbon monoxide detector with a gas fireplace?
Although tests show that gas fireplaces do not increase carbon monoxide levels in your home, it's wise to have the detectors if you use any gas appliances at home, including a furnace, a stove or a fireplace.
Do you need to open a window when using a gas fireplace?
Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) build-up. An open window can help to vent the gas, and this is especially important in newer homes that were likely built with airtight construction techniques.
Is it OK to run gas fireplace all day?
You can run a vented gas fireplace all day with little concern for anything other than gas usage.
What are the symptoms of a gas leak?
If you detect any of the following signs of a natural gas leak in your house or think you have been exposed, contact 911 immediately.The smell of rotten eggs. ... Hissing sounds. ... Air bubbles outside your home. ... Dead or dying plants. ... Physical symptoms of natural gas poisoning. ... Higher-than-normal gas usage.
How do I check my fireplace for leaks?
1:016:23How to Check for a GAS LEAK In Fireplace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I'm going to just put it on the connections just to see and if there was a leak it would startMoreAnd I'm going to just put it on the connections just to see and if there was a leak it would start bubbling up. And so you want to do it wherever there's a fitting that's the most common place for it
Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak?
Ultimately, no, a carbon monoxide detector cannot detect a natural gas leak. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas created when fuel is burned in the presence of low levels of oxygen. Carbon monoxide is very different from methane and cannot be detected with the same sensor.
How do I know if my gas valve is leaking?
Conduct a Soapy Water Test. Mix a teaspoon of soap into a cup of water to get a concentrated solution. Douse the area you suspect is leaking with the soap and water solution, and look for bubbles to show up. This indicates that there is gas escaping from that area.
Why does my gas fireplace smell?
There are multiple reasons why modern gas fireplaces may give off a certain odor. Although it is normal for a fireplace to omit a slight odor, it is important to take proper precautions if you think you may smell a potential gas leak. Natural gas itself is odorless, but has an additive that makes it smell like rotten eggs. This is designed to alert you if there is a leak in your area, as it can be very dangerous. If you smell a rotten egg smell around your natural gas fireplace, is important to leave your home immediately and contact your local utility service.
What does natural gas smell like?
Natural gas itself is odorless, but has an additive that makes it smell like rotten eggs. This is designed to alert you if there is a leak in your area, as it can be very dangerous. If you smell a rotten egg smell around your natural gas fireplace, is important to leave your home immediately and contact your local utility service. ...
Why does my gas fireplace smell like rotten eggs?
One of the potential causes is pet dander or dust.
How to get rid of rotten egg smell in fireplace?
Let your fireplace burn for a few hours to burn off any of this type of debris, and let is cool down completely before you light it again. If you smell odors again that are unusual, but not a rotten egg smell, contact your local installer. If you smell rotten egg smell, leave your home and call your utility company.
What does it mean when you smell rotten eggs around your fireplace?
However, if you smell rotten eggs around the fireplace, you may have a natural gas leak. As mentioned above, leave your home on the spot and call your gas company. At Kozy Heat, we are able to help you enjoy soothing heat in your living spaces through the exceptional array of modern gas fireplaces we offer. For information about the extensive ...
Why do you clean a fireplace?
Having your fireplace cleaned routinely helps ensure fewer unusual odors and its safe operation. In some cases, new décor you place near the fireplace may cause a certain unexpected sent to be released into the air.
Is it safe to put candles near a fireplace?
Plants and candles, for instance, may get unusually warm if they are near the fireplace and give off an odor as a result. Natural gas fireplaces rarely pose any life-threatening problems and are safer than traditional style wood-burning fireplaces.
Why does my gas fireplace smell so bad?
The interior surfaces of your gas fireplace gather household dust, pet dander, hair, and skin cells. It’s the same thing that happens the first time you turn on the furnace every year.
What happens if you leak gas in a fireplace?
A leak in the plumbing assembly, going to the fireplace, could occur with the fireplace on or off the accumulation of natural gas or propane in a semi-contained area, like a fireplace or the adjoining structure, could produce a life-threatening event that may lead to a fire or even explosion.
What is a direct vent fireplace?
Which means direct vent’s get and give far more warmth than an open style fireplace does. DV fireplaces produce extra heat, which comes with conditions known to cause odor from the fireplace.
Why inspect a fireplace vent?
By inspecting fireplaces and vents before problems develop, issues get detected when they’re small, helping you avoid an unsafe situation.
Is gas fireplace good for warmth?
Gas fireplaces offer convenience and warmth that is hard to get with traditional wood-burning fireplaces. But homeowners and hearth lovers should be aware that gas firing appliances have some distinct issues.
Does carbon monoxide smell like gas?
Remember carbon monoxide doesn’t stink like gas, you can’t smell it at all! Click here to read more about the silent killer.
Gas Fireplace Smells Like Burning Dust!
Less used items like household furniture, especially fireplaces, collect dust over time. This is more so when your air filter system allows air to pass around the filter and when you don’t have a high-efficiency air cleaner. So when the fireplace burns for the first time, the heat exchanger that has been collecting dust for a long time will burn.
Gas Fireplace Smells Like Chemicals or Burning Plastic!
First, if you are sure that the smell of gas you get is strong, and chances are it is the smell of a factory chemical or paint. It might even smell like plastic. However, the smell is deadly and toxic. It’ll take you some time to burn any of its debris. Then cool it completely before you light it again.
Gas Fireplace Smells Like Rotten Eggs!
Modern gas fireplaces can emit a variety of odors. There are various reasons for this. Some odors are normal, or slight, which is nothing to worry about. Natural gas is naturally odorless in itself, but it sometimes smells like rotten eggs. To detect the presence of gas or leaks in the house, a chemical called mercaptan is added to the gas.
Conclusion
We hope this information will help you find the root cause of gas fireplace smells like chemicals, rotten eggs, or the burning plastic in your home. You first have to find the source of the smell in your fireplace. If this seems normal in the context of the discussion presented above, just wait.
How long does it take for a gas fireplace to smell?
Simply ventilate the area around your fireplace by opening all windows. The odor should dissipate within 3-4 hours.
Why does my gas fireplace smell like plastic?
If the plastic burning smell lasts longer than a few hours, you could be smelling a damaged component of your gas fireplace insert. If you have fried your circuit board or a humidifier nozzle has melted, your insert will not perform as it should. Turn off the gas and contact a technician to check for signs of damage.
How long do gas fireplace inserts last?
Gas inserts, when maintained properly, can last over 30 years! We recommend servicing your gas fireplace insert every year for maximum safety and efficiency.
What is a gas fireplace insert?
A gas fireplace insert is a metal box that you can install in your existing fireplace. It’s more like a metal box inside of a bigger metal box. As heat is generated between the two metal boxes, the insert will radiate heat. It’s normal to smell gas or residual smells during this process, but the odor shouldn’t last more than a few hours.
What happens if a gas fireplace insert melts?
But if your gas fireplace insert is melting a foreign object, you could be breathing unsafe fumes. Turn off your main gas valve and contact a professional for assistance. Of course, always make sure a gas fireplace insert is compatible with your existing setup.
Can gas fireplace inserts react with existing materials?
Since gas fireplace inserts are installed into existing fireplaces, they can react with the existing building materials. Existing building materials could be anything from adhesives to debris. For example, the mastic in your stone fireplace could be releasing odors the first few times you use your insert.
Can you turn on a gas fireplace with a switch?
Although gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts are both effective ways to heat your home quickly, they are different methods and will require different troubleshooting. Since you can turn on both with a switch, a gas fireplace insert may look like a gas fireplace to the untrained eye. If your gas fireplace is running in a hearth or chimney, chances are it’s an insert.
How do I Know if my Fireplace is Leaking Gas?
You cannot see gas hence you have to be extra careful and watch out for the signs below.
How do you Inspect a Gas Fireplace?
You have to check all parts of the fireplace starting with the exterior then the interior. Start by checking how the unit is mounted on the frame. Make sure there are no gaps on the fireplace frame.
Will a Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect a Gas Leak?
NO, carbon monoxide detectors cannot detect a gas leak. This is a common misconception. If you want to detect a gas leak use a natural gas detector. However, nowadays some manufacturers combine the two detectors in one device. Purchase a device that is indicated it can perform both works.
How Do I Know If My Fireplace Is Leaking Gas?
You can tell a fireplace is leaking gas when there are small bubbles near the valve. This indicates the connector is not holding properly and is starting to release gas. When this happens, immediately turn off the gas valve and call a specialist.
Final Thoughts
These are the main steps to consider if there’s a gas smell from a fireplace when it’s off.
What does natural gas smell like?
And just for everyone who's not aware, the 'scent' that's added to natural gas makes it smell like a rotten egg fart. If it smells like something 'burning', that's not natural gas but most likely residue of some protective oil or dust buildup being burnt off.
How long do you have to burn a nugget in a fireplace?
You need to operate the fireplace for a consecutive 24 hour window to burn off the nugget, it's all in the owners manual of your fireplace.
What to do if your vacuum is smelling?
Blow air around the unit, than vacuum. Most of the time its external, not around the logs. IT will keep smelling until the dust is gone.
Is the smell of a fireplace strong?
The smell is still here but not very strong, you can just tell the fireplace is on. Ventilation is fine due to the cold air incoming once the glass was taken off. Like I said, the smell is a bit stronger up in the ceiling (as I can tell by walking up the stairs). No smell on second floor.