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.
If you notice an electrical burning smell or an odor of burning gas, turn off your fireplace, open the doors and windows and call for emergency repairs.
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.
The smell comes from the ingredients used in manufacturing and can emit a slight odor at first but should wear off in a couple hours. If the smell persists after a few hours of use, turn off your fireplace and contact your fuel provider to ensure your system is working properly.
The national average cost for gas fireplace repairs ranges from $150 to $600.
Hissing or Crackling Noise
You should be concerned if you hear a faint hissing noise as it could indicate a serious gas leak. On the other hand, crackling noises tend to occur when certain types of debris are burned, which also means that you should have the fireplace cleaned to reduce the risk of clogging.
But in general, an efficiently running modern gas fire kept clear of dust and debris should hit or exceed that 10 to 15-year mark before showing signs of wear. Older or cheaper models may start to struggle after 7–8 years. Regular servicing and maintenance will be essential to maximising lifespan potential.
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.
It is generally recommended that your gas fireplace be inspected by a professional once per year, preferably before the start of the heating season, and you can inspect it yourself in between to keep an eye out for potential issues.
Knowing when to get your gas fireplace serviced depends on how much you use your unit. If you find yourself lighting a fire often throughout the cold season, consider servicing your unit once a year. If you rarely use your fireplace, you may be able to service it once every 2 years.
Energy Conservation
The best reason to turn the pilot light off during summer is to conserve energy, especially now that prices are rising. Leaving the pilot light on consumes more gas, and it doesn't make sense to pay for it when you're not using it.
Gas Fireplaces and Costs
However, because of the vent, you will need an annual inspection which costs around $75-$100. If you want a thorough cleaning at the same time the cost could be closer to $150-$175. Also consider the price of propane gas and LP with this option.
Yellow or Brown Stains. Appliances that run on combusting fuel should have unobstructed ventilation. If you notice brownish-yellow or soot-like stains around a heater or gas fireplace, there may be combustion issues. This can be a sign of a carbon monoxide risk.
Certain gas fireplaces make noise because they have lower build quality. Their components and the way they are put together are not the highest available, so wear and tear come on faster than with more expensive, high-quality gas fireplaces.
There are certain situations which result in incomplete combustion and therefore ghosting, including: Artificial logs incorrectly placed in a gas fireplace, causing flames to impinge on a cold surface. Gas pressure that is either too low, too high, or intermittent.
Gas Fireplace: $3,500-6,500 (New construction), or $4,000-8,000 (remodel) Installing a gas fireplace either involves starting from scratch (new construction, addition, etc.), or removing an already existing fireplace and putting a new fireplace in its place.
Check your propane tank or natural gas line
If you have a natural gas line, verify that the main shutoff valve is also Open. If the main gas line is open but isn't delivering gas, contact your local gas utility company to determine if there is an interruption in your gas service.
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last? Generally speaking, you can get a good ten to fifteen years of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace.
If bubbles appear, it indicates a gas leak. Other signs include a hissing sound near the fireplace and a smell of rotten eggs.
Haley Pyle the fire department does not fix leaks on any gas line.
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.