Why Does My Gas Fireplace Turn On By Itself?

Warming your home with a gas fireplace is effective and economical because the thermostat can lower the heat when it increases. But what if your fireplace suddenly starts to burn when you aren't using it? To give you answers, we conducted extensive research.

Faulty components are usually the primary cause of a gas fireplace turning on itself. The remote control or a faulty thermocouple could be to blame. Occasionally, the fireplace will start to burn on its own due to a wiring or switch fault.

You'll spend less on your energy bill if you use the heat generated by the gas fireplace to warm the space you're in. Let's explore the factors in detail so you can understand why your gas fireplace is heating on its own. 

Why Does My Gas Fireplace Turn On By Itself?

Although gas fireplaces are more effective than conventional wood-burning fireplaces, they might function poorly due to several mechanical issues. You might be confused if the fireplace starts burning on its own. 

Here are a few instances and explanations of why this is taking place.

a fire burns in a glass fireplace, radiates heat

Remote Control Problems

The remote control could be a contributing factor to the issue. Although everyone knows how a remote operates, it can sometimes become faulty. It might fail for a number of reasons and not work properly with your heater.

Check out this gas fireplace remote control kit on Amazon.

So if the batteries in the remote aren't strong enough, you can temporarily repair the problem by removing and replacing them. The remote should be replaced, though, if the wiring is flawed.

Wall Switch Issue  

The wall switch is the following possible reason. Nowadays, most individuals don't have a fireplace remote control but use a wall switch instead. You can examine it for any problems and have it changed if it's faulty.

Wiring Issue

Electricity wire in the home damaged by rat bite

The wires are another sneaky component to blame for the main problem. They can lead to a variety of issues. The cables may short-circuit or burn out if they become tangled up.

The electrical system becomes miscommunicated as a result. Therefore, it could turn on the fireplace. The biggest offenders are links to the gas valve from the receiver and the alternate paths leading to the gas valve from the toggle switch.

These two wires intertwine and cause chaos. The toggle switch can work with the receiver to turn on the fireplace whenever the two wires meet. This issue can also be brought on concurrently by other cables.

So it makes sense to inspect all of the wires. It may sometimes become challenging to plug the wires into the socket. So take care of that.

Defective Thermocouple

Thermocouple in heater

A broken thermocouple is typically to blame for a gas fireplace lighting up on its own. The pilot light is allowed to stay on by the device because it detects the warmth in the room. As a result, the gas fireplace depends on it.

Check out this thermocouple on Amazon.

A gas fireplace could have some significant issues if the thermocouple is faulty. 

How To Remove A Thermocouple

modern living room with fireplace and a view to the coast, Why Does My Gas Fireplace Turn On By Itself?

You might have to remove the thermocouple and clean or replace it to fix the problem. The procedure of how to remove the thermocouple is outlined here.

  • Before starting, turn the gas valve in front of the fireplace to the "off" position. Allow the appliance to cool off after completing this.
  • Spread a tarp next to the front of the fireplace. The decoration logs must be removed and placed on the tarp.
  • Next, release the screw that is holding the thermocouple in place. It is located behind the gas valve. You'll need a wrench for this.
  • Remove the thermocouple from the apparatus by pulling it out of the back of the valve at its terminal. You'll need to pull it through the mounting plate.
  • Clean it and reinstall it before testing the appliance. The thermocouple must be changed if the device is still not functioning.

Operating A Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces provide the warmth and comfort of a conventional fireplace. They come in natural gas and electric designs and eliminate wood-chopping chores.

The majority of systems are set up to vent to the outside. That makes your gas fireplace safe and prevents carbon monoxide from accumulating in your house. If you are curious as to how to light a gas fireplace, you can:

Backyard fireplace in the City

Light A Fireplace With A Key

  1. To start the pilot light, open or  remove the fireplace's exterior cover. Since most of these panels are made of glass, keep yours safe to prevent damaging it.
  2. Insert a fireplace key into the appliance's gas valve knob. The gas valve knob could be to the left or right of the fireplace. Turn it in with a fireplace key to ignite the pilot light.
  3. You can turn the key only after inserting it. If turned before, it could cause a potentially dangerous amount of gas to be discharged. In some fireplaces, you will find the key fixed to the wall.
  4. Grab a lighter with a long enough head so you can stick it in the fireplace without putting your hands anywhere near the fire pit before turning the gas valve knob.
  5. Place the lighter's head next to the device's burner and then release the lighter's fuel trigger. If the pilot light suddenly ignites, be prepared to move your hands back rapidly.
  6. Next, press the gas pedal. Turn the gas valve knob slightly counterclockwise while the lighter is lit. The pilot light will ignite because the gas is released into the fireplace. If the fire ignites, stray gas particles could flare into the air, so be prepared to retreat swiftly.
  7. Replace the outside cover of the fireplace right away. Cover the fireplace using the front panel removed earlier to prevent any extra gas from leaking into the space.
  8. Once the cover is fastened, you can safely operate the fireplace by twisting the gas valve key. You can turn it in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to increase or decrease the flames.

Use a Control Panel for Lighting

A control panel is a common element of contemporary gas fireplaces. It allows you to start and control the flames. Often, access to these settings requires opening or removing a front screen or ornamental panel. Adhere to these guidelines to ignite your gas fireplace using the control panel.

  1. The control panel is accessible by removing the cover.
  2. Turn the control knob to the off position and wait five minutes for the remaining gas to dissipate.
  3. Ensure that knob faces the gas line if your fireplace has a gas control valve.
  4. Press the control knob into the pilot position to begin the gas flow.
  5. Tap the red button ignition switch roughly once each second if the fireplace still won't ignite. It could take a few pushes for this to ignite, no matter how recently you lit the fireplace.
  6. To keep the flame burning for up to 30 seconds, keep turning the control knob. Loosen your grip on the knob, turn it to the on position, and reattach the fireplace cover while the flame is still blazing.

Wrapping Up

modern living room with fireplace and a view to the coast

The reasons why a gas fireplace starts on its own are summarized above. It's most likely the thermocouple or the cables. The main culprit for this is defective parts. We also discussed managing your fireplace using a key and a control panel.

To enjoy special moments in your household, have your gas fireplace examined annually to prevent future issues.

Before you go, here are related articles below that you may want to read:

How To Use The Remote For My Gas Fireplace

Gas Fireplace Switch Not Working – What To Do?

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