The Rocker Switch has three positions. The “ON” position (press the top part of the switch) turns the fire on. The “RS” position (press the bottom part of the switch) permits the remote control switch to turn the fire on and off. The neutral position (halfway between “ON” and “RS”) turns the fire off.
Many gas fireplaces come equipped with a wall switch control panel for activating the unit and adjusting the level of the flame. Simply push the “On” button and the pilot should ignite.
jerry : yes two wall switches are standard. One is for the fire and the other for the future optional fan.
LP gas is measured in terms of gallons. There are 92,000 BTU's per gallon. The price of one gallon of LP is $1.10, which means that you will have to pay roughly $5.20 every month to keep your pilot light on.
Those gases contain carbon monoxide. Therefore, while it's great to save energy by closing off the damper inside a fireplace, be sure to do so in a safe manner. Do not close a fireplace damper until the fire is completely out.
The handle to open and close the damper should be above the fireplace opening. To open it, slide it to the right. To create fires that produce more heat, open the damper as wide as possible when lighting a fire. A wide-open damper will increase the amount of air reaching the fire and improve combustion.
While your fireplace is in use, the damper should be fully open, otherwise the restricted airflow can reduce the heat and intensity of your fires. ✓ Poor or improper fuel. The type or quality of fuel used in the fireplace will have a direct impact on its heat output.
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.
In the end, keeping the gas fireplace pilot light on or off is a personal preference. The decision boils down to residual heat, gas usage, and the possibility of nesting spiders. Generally, we recommend turning off the gas pilot light during the summer months.
Energy Efficiency: IPI systems are more energy-efficient than standing pilot ignition. The pilot light only ignites when the fireplace is in use, reducing gas consumption and energy costs.
The Rocker Switch has three positions. The “ON” position (press the top part of the switch) turns the fire on. The “RS” position (press the bottom part of the switch) permits the remote control switch to turn the fire on and off. The neutral position (halfway between “ON” and “RS”) turns the fire off.
A gas fireplace with a blower can significantly improve heating efficiency by increasing heat output, distributing heat more evenly, and providing faster heating. These factors can result in energy savings and increased comfort in your home.
The gas valve knob is the junction between the main gas pipe and the gas fireplace. When closed, the gas valve knob prevents gas from flowing into the fireplace.
If your pilot is lit and the fireplace isn't igniting when you push the button or flip the switch, the igniter may be dirty or defective. Clear away any dirt or debris that may be in the way between the igniter and thermocouple or thermopile.
Basic Function of the Fireplace Switch
A gas fireplace switch is typically an electrical component that controls the ignition system of the fireplace. When you flip the switch, it sends a signal to the fireplace to ignite the gas burner, lighting up the fire.
A direct vent gas fireplace does not need electricity to operate; instead, the pilot light is ignited by a battery system, or a piezo ignition system (PIS), which, like the button on your barbeque, generates a spark when pushed.
The little flame you see in your gas fireplace after you have turned it off is called a pilot light. A Standing Pilot Light runs constantly, whether your fireplace is on or off. “It's the middle of summer, why do I feel heat from the front of my fireplace?” “Oh well…it's only a little flame, it's no biggy.”
There are approximately 92,000 BTUs in one gallon of LP. 432,000 BTUs represent about 4.7 gallons of LP. At $1.10/gallon, you're spending about $5.20 monthly to keep the pilot going. At $1.30/gallon, you would spend approximately $6.10 every month.
Protect Your Fireplace
If your fireplace has glass panels, leaving your pilot light on for long periods of time (such as, say, over the summer) can cause sulfur buildup and permanently damage the glass. Additionally, an active pilot light can create moisture, which may collect inside the pipes and cause corrosion.
A fireplace pilot light might consume about 24,000 BTU per day, adding up to about 720,000 BTU a month, or 7.2 therms. If you're paying $1 per therm, then leaving the pilot light on all the time throughout a month might cost you around $7 per month and $84 per year. This may or may not be a concern for you.
Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented to the outside. Gas ovens and ranges should be monitored closely and kept in good working order.
One of the most common problems faced by homeowners with gas fireplaces is the pilot light going out or not staying lit. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner, which produces the heat for your fireplace — if the pilot light goes out, your fireplace won't work.
There are several ways to increase heat output from your gas fireplace. Some methods include using a fireplace blower to circulate the air, installing a heat exchanger, placing a fireback behind the fireplace to reflect heat, and converting a gas fireplace to a gas insert.
There's a firebox, where fires burn, and a chimney, up which go smoke and combustion gasses. The path for smoke also is a path for air. When a fireplace isn't in use, cold air from outside can come down the chimney into the home, and warm interior air can escape up through the flue.