Gas Fireplace Doesn’t Light After The Summer: Why And How To Deal With It?

A gas fireplace offers heat and warmth throughout the cold months and improves the ambience of your home. But during the summer, this item is frequently overlooked, which is why it’s broken. If you face the similar problem, we offer you a carefully thought-out post on the subject.

When a gas fireplace doesn’t light after the summer, one of the following is typically at blame:

• There is a thermocouple problem.
• The thermopile has a problem.
• Erroneous gas pressure
• Faulty gas valve
• Because it hasn’t been used in a while, the pilot light is defective.

During the winter, a broken gas fireplace can be very inconvenient.

Fixing A Gas Fireplace That Isn’t Lighting

In homes located in chilly climates, a gas fireplace is a must. It not only provides comfort for persons residing in that property as well as heat and warmth throughout the cold months. In addition, it uses less energy and is cleaner than a conventional wood fireplace.

A malfunctioning pilot light or insufficient gas pressure may be to blame if your gas fireplace stops working out of the blue, especially if you haven’t used it in a while.

To further explain the situation, the reasons why your gas fireplace has stopped lighting after the summer are listed below, along with suggestions for fixing them.

Issue With The Thermocouple

The sensor that is used to gauge the gas fireplace’s temperature is a thermocouple. It aids the pilot light in ensuring that the fireplace is secure and that there is enough heat.

It is critical to think about the type of thermocouple you require and where you will utilise it. When something goes wrong with your gas fireplace, check the thermocouple first.

The most common causes of thermocouple troubles are a loose screw or alignment issues brought on by prolonged misuse. If so, you can either modify the bolts, move them, or purchase a new one that ideally matches your fireplace.

An Issue With Thermopipe

A gas heater’s thermopile acts as the mechanism for converting thermal energy to electric energy or the other way around. In gas fireplaces, thermocouples and thermopiles can be used interchangeably. However, the latter is typically employed in contemporary fireplace designs.

Because they, as previously said, convert object heat to electricity, thermopiles are excellent for non-contact temperature settings. It is one of the components of a fireplace that delivers warmth, thus it may play a role in your fireplace issue.

You can use a multimeter to check if the thermopile is within the required voltage range to see if there is a problem with this component.

But keep in mind that before testing or replacing a thermopile, you must have ruled out all other potential causes for your gas fireplace’s failure to light after summer.

Wrong Gas Pressure

Incorrect gas pressure can also prevent your fireplace from lighting in addition to causing issues with your thermopile and thermocouple. When you have used your gas fireplace continuously for ages but neglect to check it sometimes, it usually happens.

Gas pressure should be just about the proper quantity for the fireplace to be of use. Since you are dealing with fire, it is strongly advised that you seek a professional to help you with this problem. Safety should always come first.

Faulty Gas Valve

The neutraliser or controller of the gas flow into the fireplace is the gas valve. When your gas valve begins to act up, it can be because it is either too old or damaged.

You should think about taking the following actions to resolve this:

• Check to see if the pilot light is on; if not, find a manufacturer’s manual and carefully adhere to the instructions in there. To ensure that the main valve has sufficient power to remain open, try to relight the pilot light.
• To keep the safety valve open, see if the thermocouple or thermopile has enough voltage. Don’t forget to check it to make sure the pressure is applied equally to the other safety features.

Defective Pilot Light

A pilot light is a blue flame that acts as an ignition source and prevents you from occasionally manually turning on the furnace. In order to conserve energy and give your furnace some time to rest during the summer, it is advised that you switch off the pilot light.

However, if the fireplace is not used during the summer, dust might accumulate and interfere with the operation of the pilot light. If turning it off is unavoidable, you can take the following actions:

• For safety concerns, close the main valve on the gas.
• Be sure to open the access door to the furnace.
• Where the On/Off/Pilot button is, look for the pilot knob.
• While you reactivate the switch, start the pilot flame.
• Release the button after seeing the pilot light continue to burn for a while.

How To Maintain A Gas Fireplace

You are undoubtedly well aware of the numerous issues that might arise when a gas fireplace isn’t used for an extended period of time. Learn how to properly maintain your gas fireplace, especially during and after the summer, to avoid any problems.

The following advice will help you take good care of your fireplace during each season.

Regular Fireplace And Log Cleaning

You will be doing yourself and your fireplace a huge favour by creating a routine for cleaning. Follow these steps to do this correctly:

• Start by disassembling the fireplace by shutting off the gas valve and the pilot light.
• To gain access to the fireplace’s interior, remove the glass panel.
• Get rid of any residue by cleaning the glass.
• To get rid of the accumulated dust, vacuum the inside.
• Clean the area around the fireplace and any decorative stones you may have.
• You must take the logs and clean them outside when it comes to the logs.

Professional Inspection On A Regular Basis

Regularly having your fireplace inspected can significantly increase its longevity. In addition to cleaning your fireplace yourself, it might be beneficial if you thought about hiring someone.

Even the farthest corner of your fireplace can be cleaned by skilled specialists. Additionally, it will aid in the early detection of prospective issues, saving you a lot of money.

Never Put Off repairs

Have a professional inspect your fireplace once a year, and take any advice they may give. Never put off or postpone repairs to save money because this could make your fireplace unsafe and unable to meet safety regulations.

Accessories For A Gas Fireplace That Are Required

The right fireplace accessories are also necessary for proper maintenance.

Here are some recommended gas fireplace accessories for your consideration.

• Ash Bucket: This container is used to store ashes and embers, and the bottom of the bucket contains a piece of wood that resembles an insulator to stop it from burning.
• Fire Starter: Having a pilot light isn’t always sufficient. In light of this, you ought to think about purchasing some sawdust or bits of wood.
• Smoke guard: This helps keep the room from becoming overly smoke-filled.
• Firewood rocks: This is a stand for storing wood throughout the year.
• Moisture metres: Check the moisture content of your fireplace and adjust the temperature as necessary.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Gas Fireplace

To give you a general idea of what to anticipate, we have included a complete study list of advantages and cons for individuals who are thinking about purchasing a gas fireplace.

Benefits

• Electric fireplaces are more expensive than gas ones.
• Because of its more organic mechanism, it poses fewer safety issues.
• Use of it is simple, especially for those with a pilot light.
• A qualified technician can examine and clean it for you.
• It requires little upkeep.
• It is multifunctional and offers a variety of venting options.

Drawbacks

• It costs a lot to fuel and has no woody fragrance.
• It is less picturesque and has a lesser flame.
• The logs can usually not be moved from their current position.
• A sealed glass is necessary to prevent too much smoke from entering your room.
• For more trustworthy information, see our article on How To Insulate A Fireplace When Not In Use.

Conclusion

Due to flaws and mechanical damage from prolonged inactivity, your gas fireplace’s light won’t switch on after being turned off during the summer.

Fortunately, solutions to these problems are simple to find, and finding a qualified specialist is simple. You’ll be good to go as long as you remember how to properly maintain your fireplace.