This is a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself if you have some basic handyman skills.Another possibility is that there is a blockage in the flue or chimney. If you like a roaring fire from autumn all the way through spring, you should conduct or schedule service once a year, ideally early in the summer. Can You Ignite Your Gas Fireplace with Key? This can be caused by a variety of things, such as a draft in the room or a dirty flame sensor. This could be a sign of a serious problem with the unit and you should call a professional to have it inspected. Note: Maintain the gas fireplace with care. The Direct vent fireplaces can also run continuously as long as you ensure that the front glass front is sealed completely. "They emit nitrogen dioxide, which is a respiratory irritant." The American Lung Association recommends using natural gas stoves and heaters instead of wood-burning fireplaces to heat your home or water. Can you clean the inside of a gas fireplace? Despite producing far fewer fumes than vented gas fireplaces, a small amount of fumes will still be emitted into your house. The main concern with a gas-burning appliance is the exhaust of carbon monoxide and leaving the unit on overnight is simply risky. The cost to convert a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace can vary greatly, depending on a number of factors, including whether you are using an insert or not. A standard particle filter is not designed to remove gases and odors. Read on to learn what it means when a gas fireplace smells like gas. It is a harmless chemical, but when burned it smells like sulfur, or rotten eggs. Our team of dedicated technologists, experts, and researchers is here to help you make the right decision. There are mainly three types of Gas fireplaces for indoor and homes use. Can You Roast Marshmallows On A Gas Fireplace? The biggest threat is fine particulate matter, which can aggravate asthma symptoms, cause heart attacks, stroke and heart failure, according to the EPA. Newly Installed Gas Systems May Start with an Odor. Finally, if none of these solutions work, then you may need to call a professional for help diagnosing and fixing the problem. Your plumber can convert any fireplace you choose to the type of gas you use in your home, whether you want a ventless propane fireplace or a ventless natural gas fireplace. Here are the top four things to remember: 1. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is lit and tells the gas valve to stay open. Gas Fireplace Wont Stay Lit But Pilot Stays on, 4 Common Electric Furnace Problems & Their Solutions. There could be an issue with the gas line or other components that require a trained professional to fix. What To Do? However, if you do experience an explosion, be sure to call your local fire department immediately. Related: Is a Gas Fireplace Less Dangerous Than a Wood Burning? What about a gas smell from fireplace when off? First of all, let's call it what it really is. Once a year, inspect the condition of the ventless gas logs and replace any that are cracked, and clean them as recommended in your manual. How Much Gas and Propane Does a Gas Fireplace Use? Wait for the appliance and glass to cool down before allowing anyone to get near it. this could indicate that there are harmful gases present in the air around your fireplace. PICKHVAC Terms of Use: Some of the products seen on our site are delivered through a relationship with outside suppliers like Networx.com, Google, and others. Your chimney should be cleaned annually, as well, to clear away any debris and nesting materials from animals. Hydrogen peroxide. Gas fireplaces are contained behind a glass panel, so there are no sparks, smoke, or open flames to contend with. Heat N Glo Fireplace Flame Adjustment Guide [A-Z Instructions], Heat N Glo Fireplace Troubleshooting: Common Issues & Solutions. Vented gas fireplaces have combustion/exhaust systems that create safe, efficient heat. Most people think of their gas fireplace as being a safe and reliable way to heat their home. Heat N Glo Fireplace Wont Light | Reasons & Solutions, Return Air Near Fireplace Good or Bad? That means it will keep your internal home area secure and safe. A gas flames presence can intensify odors already lurking in the air. Gas is not the only strong smell that can be emitted from a propane gas fireplace. To prevent this from happening, follow the safety guidelines and always be on the alert for these symptoms. I think paint should never be used on a mantel for this reason. If your pilot light wont stay lit, its also possible that the thermocouple is broken. The flame on your gas fireplace should be about 12 inches high. Heat the area of the home where you spend the most time (often the great room or basement) with a gas fireplace by turning the thermostat down and the fireplace up. Leave it to the pros. This should dissipate quickly. These include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Many gas fireplaces do not have chimneys, but they should have a vent system that releases fumes outdoors rather than into the home. Find Pros Now +. If the house still smells like gas but theres no leak, its possible that the homes air filters are past due for replacement. Your gas fireplace manufacturer should have left you with instructions on how to . Your gas fireplace smells when first turned on, and thats okay. 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Fireplace to Gas? Tomato plants are very sensitive to certain pollutants found in the exhaust from fossil fuels. Answer, Can 58300 And 58100 Be Billed Together? If anyone in your home starts experiencing these symptoms and there is no other explanation, it could be due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fire leak. Should I be able to smell my gas fireplace? To fix this problem, youll need to have the chimney shortened. If you have a gas fireplace, it is normal to smell gas when it is first turned on. A stench of rotten eggs or a gas odor permeates the home. As is the case with a gas furnace. Gas fireplace smells like gas?Ask pros why. Never leave your gas fireplace unattended while its lit. The three most common reasons why your gas fireplace smells are: These causes range from totally harmless to extremely dangerous, so it is very important to be able to diagnose the reason why your gas fireplace smells. Answer, What Does Unqualified Certificate Of Title Mean? Heavy condensation built up at the rooms windowpane, where the gas fireplace unit is installed. If it is, then the problem may be with the thermocouple. Yes, they are dangerous. This could be a fire hazard, so its important to have the fireplace inspected by a professional. Be sure to open the flue before lighting a fire in a gas fireplace. A traditional vented gas fireplace, such as the Empire Tahoe Deluxe Direct-Vent Fireplace, can be fueled by either natural gas or propane and has two vents that run to the exterior of the house. To protect your Indoor Air Quality and maintain a clean, safe gas fireplace, follow these fire safety tips: Choose the Proper Fuel Use smaller, dry pieces of wood to ensure a hotter and cleaner burning fire with less smoke. This will help contain any sparks and embers that might pop out of the fire. A gas fireplace can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, with the average being 15 years. You may have seen the light in your fireplace ignition. * Be sure to install a carbon monoxide detector near any gas appliance! Mercaptan is added so that you can smell when theres a gas leak, which would otherwise be odorless and undetectable to you. Therefore, in this very article, I will try to explain how a Gas fireplace can become a real threat to your home safety and how you can prevent that situation. . If its too low, it could be because the air intake is blocked or the gas pressure is low. Besides that, you can use a prolonged tube that can go up through the roof without getting in the way of other pipelines. This will NEVER affect our opinion of a product or service! If your fireplace is drafty, the pilot light can be blown out by the wind. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The main concern with gas fireplace fumes is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This toxic gas poisoning can cause several health issues, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breathing difficulty, chest pain. What maintenance is required for a gas fireplace? When inhaled, CO prevents the body from absorbing oxygen. When possible, an existing chimney is used to run a new flue, but in a home without a chimney, the high cost to install venting can sideline the project permanently. How to Vent a Gas Fireplace Without a Chimney? If there is any chance that a fireplace is leaking gas or someone in the home is experiencing gas-leak symptoms like dizziness and headaches, its better to overreact to a false alarm than to compromise health and safety. The particles are the most harmful pollutants in wood smoke, but it also contains carcinogenic. If you put ventless logs in a vented fireplace, the fire could still burn too much gas and cause excess toxic fumes without activating the warning detectors. Gas fireplaces are actually very safe when used correctly. Ventless fireplaces, on the other hand, burn gas in a different way, one that doesnt create as many fumes, and therefore dont require venting. Continuous exposure to these molecules can cause inflammation and damage to your lungs. When it comes to gas fireplaces, there are a few things that can go wrong. A drafty fireplace is a common problem that can be caused by a number of factors. Gas vs. Electric Fireplace: Whats the Difference? On the other hand, it is wise to be extra cautious when you notice that something like a fireplace or an oven smells like gas. This is an indication that combustion isnt taking place properly and that harmful gases could be present. This will help keep dirt and debris from accumulating in your fireplace. Ensuring the ventilation around the fireplace is optimized allows the gas to dissipate more quickly. If you or other members living in the home have one or more physical illness symptoms, which I have mentioned earlier. Also, make sure to get the entire fireplace inspected by professional experts every year. Its a good idea to maintain the homes HVAC system and have it cleaned regularly to improve air quality. Should the glass on a gas fireplace be hot? Another possible cause of your gas fireplace smell is exhaust spilling into the home instead of going up the chimney or flue. In most cases, these issues can be easily resolved so you can get back to enjoying your warm and cozy fires! These may include hissing sounds, high gas bills, the smell of rotten eggs, or dying plants. However, they can also produce toxic fumes that are harmful to our health. If you have a gas fireplace, it is important to make sure that it is safe. They are less expensive than electric fireplaces and don't make any smoke. Natural gas is used in many appliances and in many homes. 3. 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