Who would not want to stay in a warm and cozy place during the cold season, right? One way of warming and saving on heating costs is with the use of a fireplace. But unfortunately, not all people know how to properly light one, especially without its key. So, with the help of some experts, we'll guide you on how to turn on a gas fireplace.
To properly light a fireplace using a key, do the following steps:
- Insert the key into the key flange.
- Turn the knob to the pilot position.
- Turn the switch on.
- Push the pilot knob.
- Press the igniter.
- Press and hold the pilot knob. Turn it to the "on" position.
To turn on a fireplace without a key, here is the step-by-step procedure:
- Take off the gas key valve flange.
- Light a piece of paper.
- Slowly turn on the gas.
Turning on a gas fireplace requires a thorough discussion on how to properly do each step to avoid injury or accident. So, continue reading as we elaborate more on the topic. As we go along, we'll also answer frequently asked questions that are related to the topic.
Turning On A Gas Fireplace With A Key
Although most gas fireplaces are considered safe, especially the new ones, it still pays to be more cautious when you handle anything with a fire hazard. So before lighting a gas fireplace, as a rule of thumb, make sure to allow a space clearance of at least 3 feet between the front of your fireplace and any flammable object surrounding it.
Also, always check for any possible carbon monoxide leaking. Make sure your house is equipped with a smoke and carbon monoxide detector to avoid tragedy and accidents. And never let your pets or children go near your fireplace when you start to turn it on. Train them to keep a safe distance from the fireplace.
So, when you're all set, you can now start lighting a fireplace using its key.
Step 1. Insert the key
The first thing you need to do is to insert the key into the key flange or valve. Next, gently turn the key in a counterclockwise direction to switch on the gas.
Step 2. Turn the knob to pilot position
Once the gas is on, go to the fireplace and locate the control valve. Look for the knob with the word "pilot" on the rightmost part of the control valve. Once you've located the knob, push it in and turn it from off to pilot position for you to light the pilot.
Step 3. Turn the switch on
Now, you should turn on the switch which is also located on the control valve. It is usually found on the leftmost part.
Step 4. Push the pilot knob
Once again, go back to the pilot knob and push it in. This will set the pilot light and the gas will be manually sent into its system.
Step 5. Press the igniter
You need to press the igniter once every second until the pilot lights up. Be patient in using the igniter since it may take multiple attempts to ignite the pilot light, especially if it's been a while since the last time you used your fireplace.
Step 6. Press and hold the pilot knob
Lastly, once the pilot light is lit, press and hold the pilot knob for a couple of seconds to make sure it stays lit and the air bubbles are removed from the system. Go back to the pilot knob and set it in the on position.
Check out this video for your reference:
Check this universal valve key on Amazon.
Turning On A Gas Fireplace Without A Key
Now, if you have misplaced or completely lost your fireplace key, the steps below will teach you how to light your fireplace without the need of using a key. Take note that the abovementioned safety measures before proceeding with the steps should be heeded.
In this procedure, the tools that you'll need are a lighter, a piece of paper or match, and a little wrench that could fit in your gas key valve flange.
Step 1. Take off the gas key valve flange
Start to take off the gas key valve flange by turning it counterclockwise using your hand or any tool.
Step 2. Light a piece of paper
The next step is to light a piece of paper or a match stick and put it into your fireplace. Place the lighted paper or match stick in the middle where the pilot light is located.
Step 3. Slowly turn on the gas
Now, go back to where your key valve is located. Using a little wrench, slowly turn the gas knob counterclockwise to open the gas. You could hear a little hissing sound as you turn the gas on.
For a demonstration of the steps above, watch this video:
Why is my gas fireplace not working?
Here are the common reasons why your fireplace won't work:
- Your gas valve is not turned on.
- If your batteries are dead, the tendency is the ignition won't work. If the ignition won't work, your fireplace won't light up.
- Sometimes, circuit breakers trip off electricity to prevent overheating if there is an excessive flow of electric current. If this happens, your fireplace's electronic ignition won't work.
- Make sure that your gas tank or your gas lines are turned on and are working properly.
- You'll face an ignition problem if your thermostat is set lower than the room temperature. Make sure to adjust it to the correct temperature.
- Thermopile, wiring, and thermocouple problems.
- A dirty pilot light orifice can cause problems with the ignition.
How do you light a gas fireplace with electronic ignition when the power is out?
Below are the steps on how to light a gas fireplace with electronic ignition during a power outage:
- Remove your fireplace's access panel.
- Next, you need to find the battery tray. It is located underneath the fireplace and is usually velcroed at the bottom.
- Once located, unfasten the battery tray and bring it out so you can put the batteries in. Check which type of battery is needed for your battery tray.
- When you're done putting in the batteries, put it back in its original place and fasten it.
- Check if your ignition is now working. Turn on the fireplace.
For a visual guide, check out the video below:
How do I reset my gas fireplace?
Experts suggest that if you want to reset your gas fireplace, you should do the following techniques:
- Simply check your gas valve if it's turned on. Problems with the pilot light system are the most common reason why fireplaces don't work.
- If your pilot light has not been used or turned on for quite a while, you need to clear out the air from the pilot tubing. So to do this, you need to press and hold the pilot button down for 1-3 minutes to release all the air.
- For spark igniter problems, clean any debris between the thermocouple and the igniter.
- If your pilot is not staying lit, you may need to replace the thermocouple.
- You can also reset or troubleshoot your gas fireplace by simply blowing up compressed air into the pilot light area once every couple of minutes.
How much does it cost to keep the pilot light on the fireplace?
If you're using natural gas, the average daily cost of a standing pilot light is $0.60. So you'll spend an average of $219 yearly. If you're using liquid propane, the daily average cost is $1.80 or $657 per year.
In Summary
To light a fireplace using its key, you should first insert it into the key flange. Next, turn the pilot knob into the pilot position. Turn your fireplace's switch on. Go back to the pilot knob and push it. Once done, press the igniter multiple times until the fireplace lights up. Press and hold the pilot knob. And lastly, set the pilot knob to the on position.
It's quite easy to turn a fireplace on without its key. Simply remove the key valve flange by turning it using your hand or any other tool. Next, light a piece of paper and put it in the middle of your fireplace where the pilot light is located. Lastly, gently turn on the gas using a little wrench.
Before you go, read through these comprehensive posts for more insight about fireplaces: