A vented gas log fireplace expels carbon monoxide fumes from your home through the chimney or a direct flue vent. In addition, it has a sealed glass front to prevent toxic fumes from leaking into your home. Therefore, you can safely operate a vented gas log fireplace continuously.
If the glass is properly sealed and the fireplace is fully vented this fireplace should run continuously without incident. HOWEVER, if you want to err on the side of caution, it is much better to only leave your fireplace burning, no matter what type it is, for two to three hours at a time.
Running a gas fireplace costs between $400 and $640 per year. The average cost to run a gas fireplace annually is $520. This comes out to $0.35 to $0.62 per hour, but your costs will depend on several factors, including your fireplace's fuel type and heat output. Your location and usage habits also play a role.
Because these fireplaces do not have a vent, they can become dangerous if they run for more than three hours. While they can be a great source of heat, they need to be monitored very closely to prevent fire safety issues.
Although gas log fireplace inserts and direct-vent gas log fireplaces can run continuously, please note this safety guideline: DO NOT leave a gas fireplace on overnight. Among the potential dangers is the release of carbon monoxide fumes during combustion.
You may notice the humidity in your home increase during the time when your ventless gas fireplace is burning. Moisture is a normal by-product of using your fireplace. Overuse may increase the moisture level considerably, adding to a possibly already existing problem with mildew and mold.
Answer: It is not safe to leave a gas fireplace on overnight or while sleeping.
It can feel tempting running your gas fireplace all day long when it's chilly outside, but this can come with some safety risks. In general, you shouldn't leave your gas fireplace on for more than three hours. However, there are a few different types of gas fireplaces on the market, each with their own safety concerns.
Generally, we recommend turning off the gas pilot light during the summer months. But, remember to schedule fall fireplace maintenance so that a professional technician can inspect your fireplace and keep it in mint condition.
The amount of gas a gas fireplace uses depends on several factors, including the size and type of fireplace, how often it is used, and how long it is used each time—generally speaking. However, most gas fireplaces use between 10,000 and 25,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour.
Gas Fireplace
They are very convenient to use, as they can be switched on and off at the touch of a remote or button. While they preserve more heat than a wood-burning fireplace, they still lose around 75% of the heat they generate. The cost of the natural gas you burn can increase your heating bill.
In fact, they are highly energy-efficient. Gas fireplaces are specifically designed to provide warmth and comfort while minimizing energy consumption. Compared to traditional wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces are much more efficient, as they release less heat up the chimney and retain more warmth in the room.
Zone Heating with Gas Fireplaces
Operating a furnace for one hour at 75,000 -100,000 Btu cost a homeowner $1.12 - $1.49 based on last month's national average natural gas rate. By comparison, a natural gas fireplace running at 30,000 Btu per hour cost only 45 cents.
The average cost to run a gas fireplace is $1.20 to $6.30 per day, or $40 to $190 per month when running the fireplace 3 to 6 hours a day. The cost of running a gas fireplace depends on the fuel type, home location, and the fireplace size, type, and efficiency.
Traditional fireplaces can overheat
A gas fireplace allows you to get in there quickly and shut off the gas so things can cool immediately instead of fuming. They can be incredibly unpredictable and can damage the chimney.
Fireplace Fans
Therefore, if you end up losing power, you can operate your fireplace as long as you would like to with no concerns.
Many units have a built-in oxygen sensor that will automatically shut off the fireplace when low indoor oxygen levels are detected. Most gas fireplace safety experts recommend not running a vent-free gas log fireplace for more than three hours.
Your gas fireplace is never actually 'off' in the usual sense of that word. For most fireplaces, there is a very tiny flame that is always burning, and that's called your pilot light. Some newer fireplaces feature a standing pilot system with an 'intermittent pilot,' where the pilot isn't actually on all the time.
Leaving the pilot light on consumes more gas, and it doesn't make sense to pay for it when you're not using it. Depending on gas prices in your area, the monthly savings may seem insignificant, but they add up.
If you own a fireplace that is fully-vented and equipped with a sealed glass front, this type of unit can operate continuously. On the flip side, if your fireplace unit is vent-free and equipped with front doors that can open – this unit should only operate for a maximum of three hours at a time.
In some ways they're like the oven in your kitchen: you would never (or should never) leave this appliance on around the clock. The reason is that the carbon monoxide produced during combustion will remain in the home and could harm those who live there.
Save Energy and Money – Don't Leave Your Pilot Light Always On. As the weather gets warmer, you will be using your gas fireplace less and less. Turning off your gas fireplace seasonally can save you a substantial amount of energy and money.
Englund suggests starting by opening windows in the room where the fireplace is located, and perhaps opening some other windows on the same floor to create cross-ventilation. Turn on overhead ceiling fans or other ventilation if possible.
South Coast AQMD's No-Burn Day alerts do not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation, the Coachella Valley or High Desert, homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low income households and those without natural gas service. Gas fireplaces are also exempt.
You start smelling strange odors
This smell should go away after three to four hours of use. A dirty fireplace with excessive pet hair or dust can also produce an odor. If you smell rotten eggs, call for help immediately, as you likely have a gas leak.