Knowledge Builders

why am i not getting gas to my fireplace

by Dr. Robert Gulgowski Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If the gas flow is not constant in your fireplace, then it is likely due to one of the following 4 reasons:

  • Thermostat setting
  • Pilot light issues
  • Gas supply problems
  • Thermocouple or thermopile issues

Check your breaker box and reset any tripped breakers you come across. Gas Valves: Make sure that your gas valve is open and in the on position to ensure the flow of gas to your fireplace. This should be located in the firebox. If you have an older model, a key in the wall or floor should be nearby.

Full Answer

How do I get my gas fireplace to work?

Turn the knob from the “Off” to the “Pilot” position. Push in the pilot knob, which manually sends gas into the system. Push the igniter button once every second until it lights. Depending on how long it's been since the gas fireplace was last used, ignition may take multiple attempts.

Why won't my gas fireplace turn on when I flip the switch?

What can happen over the years, is that the connections inside the switch can get dirty, corroded, or broken, causing a loss of this voltage at the switch. So by the time the small amount of voltage gets sent back to the fireplace, it is not enough to signal the fireplace to turn on.

How do you reset a gas fireplace?

0:041:37How to Reset IPI on Your Gas Fireplace - IntelliFire Ignition SystemYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you have a insert a gas insert which has a surround on it on the right hand side of theMoreSo if you have a insert a gas insert which has a surround on it on the right hand side of the surround towards the bottom there's a switch all you do is hit the switch. You'll hear a beep.

How do you test a gas fireplace gas valve?

1:113:39Diagnostic Testing For Gas Pressure And Gas Millivolt Valves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCompletely light the pilot. Turn the gas knob to the on position. Turn the burner on in a highMoreCompletely light the pilot. Turn the gas knob to the on position. Turn the burner on in a high position check the pressure and record it shut the burner off.

Why does my gas fireplace have two switches?

It all starts with understanding that one switch controls all of the power going to the fireplace, no matter if you want it on or off. The other switch controls only the blower and if this one will be installed or not if they decide not to use a blower in their fireplace.

What is the switch on the side of my fireplace?

The second handle you may find in your fireplace (usually located on the left inside panel) is a control lever for the outside air kit. When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position. The outside air kit is designed to provide additional air for combustion.

Who to call if gas fireplace is not working?

If you suspect that there is an issue with them delivering gas to your home, or you suspect that your gas was shut off, call your utilities company. Pilot Light: Pilot lights ignite the gas as it is delivered to the fireplace unit.

Where is the reset button on a fireplace?

0:222:06My Gas Fireplace Won't Light: Resetting the Control ModuleYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn many fireplaces to do that you must remove the front by lifting the front up and away from theMoreOn many fireplaces to do that you must remove the front by lifting the front up and away from the fireplace. Have a predetermined spot to set the front safely away.

How do you manually light a gas fireplace?

0:401:40How to Manually Light a Gas Fireplace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm going to do is. Light this match. And place it as deep into the fireplace. Keep a coupleMoreSo what I'm going to do is. Light this match. And place it as deep into the fireplace. Keep a couple of matches. As. I can where I know the gas is going to move over the lighter alright it's burning.

How do I know if my gas valve is bad on my fireplace?

It might sound like common sense, but one of the ways to check a leaky gas valve is to ensure the ball valve is fully closed. If your valve is fully closed and you still smell gas coming from your fireplace when it's off, then you likely need a ball valve replacement.

How do I know if my gas valve is bad?

Here are some signs that indicate your furnace has a bad gas valve.A Gas Leak. This is a major indicator that something could be wrong with the gas valve in your furnace. ... A Total Shutdown of the Furnace. ... A Flooded Furnace. ... Get Expert Services.

How much does it cost to replace a gas valve on a fireplace?

Expect to pay between $150 and $300 to fix your fireplace's gas valve. The gas valve is one of the most important components in a gas unit because it controls the gas flow to the fire.

How do you test a fireplace control valve?

To test the valve, disconnect all wires from the TP and TH terminals, then place your meter leads on these terminals: You should get a reading that should fall within the following parameters: SIT 820 ‐1.75 to 2.75 R.

How long do gas fireplace valves last?

around 25 yearsGas Valves Since they have very few "moving parts" and their design is well refined, they can easily last around 25 years. Though, when you bring electronic valves into the mix, longevity begins to decrease.

How do you test a gas solenoid valve?

0:532:53The right way for testing any solenoid coil !! How to test ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep one set your multimeter on ohms if the multimeter is not automatic set it on 2k ohms. Step 2MoreStep one set your multimeter on ohms if the multimeter is not automatic set it on 2k ohms. Step 2 place the probes of multimeter across the pins of a solenoid coil.

How does a gas valve work on a gas fireplace?

Gas flows into a series of valves attached to your gas fireplace. The valves are always closed unless something opens it. This prevents gas from flowing into your home when the fireplace is not lit. A device called a thermocouple will hold open the pilot light valve as long as the pilot light is lit.

How To Fix Gas Fireplace With No Gas Flow

If the gas fireplace has no gas to the pilot, this means the issue might have more to do with the gas diffuser.

How Do You Unclog A Gas Fireplace Line?

To unclog a gas fireplace line, use a handheld vacuum cleaner to clean the burner. This eliminates surface-level debris including soot. It’s also recommended to wipe the surface using a brush and cloth.

Final Thoughts

These are the things to look into when a gas fireplace has no gas flow.

Why does my gas fireplace keep igniting?

Here are some potential causes: Old Batteries: Depending on the type of gas fireplace you own, you may have a remote or receiver that run on batteries. If the batteries in either of these are dead, it could prevent your fireplace from igniting.

Why Is My Gas Fireplace Making A Noise?

Gas fireplaces will make some noise as part of their normal operation. However, there may be unusual noises caused by external issues.

Why Is There Moisture/Condensation on the Glass?

When you start your fireplace, you may notice condensation on your glass door as water vapor in the air inside the firebox evaporates. This should dissipate as the fire heats up. There may be some buildup over time of condensation residue, but this is easily wiped away.

Why is my propane fireplace sooty?

Improper Airflow: Ensure that there is a proper ratio between the flame’s gas and oxygen; a flame that has too much gas will produce more soot.

Why does my fireplace smell like gas?

If your fireplace is new, there may be what is known as “off-gassing,” caused by residual factory paints burning off. This is harmless and should pass after a few fires. If the smell persists, check that your chimney is not obstructed and is cleaned. If you suspect the smell is gas, and the pilot light is on, you may have a gas leak. Shut off the fireplace, ensure your home is vented and call your gas company or a professional technician.

Why does my pilot light not ignite?

Another common issue with ignition is a dirty pilot light orifice, caused by a buildup of soot and dirt. If you have successfully re-lit your pilot light, ensured that the orifice is clean, and the fireplace still refuses to ignite, there could be an issue with the thermopile, thermocouple or wiring. Thermocouple, Thermopile, and Wiring: The ...

What to do if your chimney smells gas?

If the smell persists, check that your chimney is not obstructed and is cleaned. If you suspect the smell is gas, and the pilot light is on, you may have a gas leak. Shut off the fireplace, ensure your home is vented and call your gas company or a professional technician.

Absence of Pilot Lights

Whenever gas is turned on, it’s delivered to the fireplace unit where pilot lights are always on to help ignite your gas. These pilot lights receive a little supply of gas to keep them perpetually on.

Old Batteries

All remote-controlled gas fireplaces have a set of batteries placed in the receiver located beside or behind gas logs.

Lack of Maintenance

Proper functioning of your gas fireplace and maintenance are closely linked or intertwined. It’s only natural that a gas fireplace will stop working when necessary and basic maintenance procedures aren’t followed.

Burner Failure

Burner failure more often than not results in gas fireplaces not working. Now, quite a lot of homeowners keep pets. These cute creatures shed constantly. So, how is this tied to burner failure?

Gas Still Turned Off

When the cold season ends, it’s common for people to turn off the gas leading to the fireplace.

Why does my gas fireplace burn low?

Gas fireplace burners can get clogged quite easily. Dirt and debris can build up in the burner and partially clog it up . This clog prevents the proper flow of gas and as a result , it generates low flames .

How to increase gas pressure in a propane fireplace?

Use vermiculite on the burner, if you have a propane gas fireplace (use silica, if your fireplace runs on natural gas) Increase the gas pressure by turning the gas valve to the right . Increase the airflow into the fireplace by opening the air vent and the air shaft. Keep the burner free from dirt and clogs. 3.

What does it mean when a fireplace has a low flame?

It means, less air gas will exhaust and less airflow will enter the fireplace. Ultimately, the fireplace will generate a low flame. 3. Air Shutter: Similar to the problems with vents, air shutter affects the flame with airflow. The closer the air shutter is, the less airflow will enter the fireplace.

How to make a gas burner low?

If it has dirt clogged in, then the burner will generate a low flame. In this case, clean the burner properly to allow sufficient gas flow. Secondly, look for cracks in the burner. If the burner has a crack in it, there won’t be a proper generation of gas.

What happens when you open the air vent door?

So, if you open the air vent door, more airflow will enter the air vent and increase the flame. But, don’t open the vent too much.

What does it mean when a gas fireplace is blue?

Ans: Blue gas fireplace flame means complete combustion. Simply put, the gas fireplace flame becomes blue when the gas burns fluently. It means there is no wastage of fuel and your fireplace is generating maximum heat.

How high should a gas fireplace be?

Ans: The ideal height of a gas fireplace flame is 3.5 inches. Anything more or less indicates faulty parts.

Why does my gas fireplace smoke?

Gas fireplaces, if they ever are producing smoke can come from numerous areas – improper log alignment, dirty burners, misaligned screen, or negative air pressure within the home. Sometimes the issue can be with the chimney, stopping the warmer leftover gas from leaving the fireplace properly.

What happens if a fireplace is not properly maintained?

Fireplaces that aren’t properly maintained can be a tremendous fire hazard – causing all sorts of property damage, injury, and in extreme cases death. When looking at your fireplace always look at the two most obvious parts first – the pilot light and the thermocouple or thermopile.

Why is a thermocouple used in a gas fireplace?

Both the thermocouple and thermopile are used to generate electricity to light the fire and be a general sensor for the temperature . If either of these malfunction than the pilot light will not be able to do its job. The thermocouple is often found in older gas fireplaces and the number one issue related to these is that they aren’t hooked up correctly, or not properly secured.

What is a fireplace?

Fireplaces are great centerpieces that can bring style and class to just about any room. The most common of these are wood fireplaces, but gas ones have their own set of advantages that make them real popular as well.

Can a gas fireplace go wrong?

While all of these problems aren’t necessarily deadly on their own right, they can cause considerable damage, or at the least be an annoyance if not properly fixed.

Is it safer to use propane or natural gas?

Using propane or natural gas rather than wood, they have less upkeep and are typically safer than their wood-burning cousins. Gas fireplaces can also burn longer for just a little bit more money. Because of their unique function and construction, they have their own special set of unusual problems related to them as well.

Do you need a chimney for a gas fireplace?

Unless you have a ventless gas fireplace, you should have some sort of chimney attached. All chimneys regardless of what they are attached to act on a simple principle: Hot air rises, while cooler air drops. Gas fireplaces, if they ever are producing smoke can come from numerous areas – improper log alignment, dirty burners, misaligned screen, or negative air pressure within the home.

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