Why Is My Fireplace Beeping?

We’re guessing that you really enjoy your gas fireplace and what it adds to your home… the wonderful heat from it, the dancing flames and glowing embers and especially how easy it is to use. But all of a sudden, it’s making an odd, beeping noise. Is this something to be concerned about? Is this a dangerous symptom? Should I stop using it and call my dealer? What’s the remedy?

Don’t fret, don’t panic and you probably don’t have to call 911. A simple fix is at hand that most homeowners can take care of themselves!

BATTERY POWER!

Most fireplaces today are installed with remote controls. Many older models can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted with a convenient and easy to use remote.

When you press a remote control for your fireplace, a signal is sent to a receiver. This receiver is usually located behind the lower grill of a gas fireplace as part of a battery box or module. If the batteries are weak and cannot pick up the radio signal from the remote, the fireplace will not turn on or ignite because the gas valve will not open.

The batteries for fireplaces, stoves and inserts, do not have particularly long lives. The batteries need to be regularly exchanged with fresh ones. As a safety and customer convenience feature, when these batteries get weak, an audible ‘beep’ will be heard. You may also notice a small, red blinking light on the receiving unit before the beep is heard. Now is the time to replace the batteries.

Replacing batteries in a battery box or receiving unit will vary a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some will have a small, easy to spot door for the batteries. Others may have a spring-loaded door that pops out when depressed or some kind of clips that keep the batteries contained. Check the owner’s manual or simply call your WE LOVE FIRE expert if you need help.

A few other points are worth mentioning:

A remote control for your fireplace

  • Be sure to use the correct type of battery if specified by the manufacturer.
  • The frequency code and syncing up the remote to the receiver is normally done at the time of installation. Usually, it’s not necessary to make any adjustments to this code. However, some electric models may need to be re-synced each time the remote batteries are replaced.
  • Batteries in the remote control will last longer than those in the receiving unit.
  • Replacing the batteries in the remote control is similar to replacing them in other remote control devices. There’s a cover that slides on and off, that’s located on the back of most remotes that will expose the batteries.
  • Many remotes have a built-in timer that will automatically turn the appliance off after several hours of continuous use.

IGNITION SYSTEMS:

Your gas fireplace is easy to turn on and off because of the ignition system. There are two types. Gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts will use either a ‘millivolt’ system or an ‘intermittent pilot ignition’ system (IPI), aka electronic ignition.

A millivolt system utilizes a standing pilot light that is continually lit, regardless if the appliance is turned on. You’ll likely notice the pilot light. It’s a small blue flame, about ¾” high, hidden among the logs.

Meanwhile, an IPI system uses an “on demand” pilot that is only on when the fireplace is operating. The pilot light will not ignite the burner if the batteries are too weak in an IPI fireplaces. Most IPI systems have a “continuous on” position and an “IPI” position on the receiver. If the batteries in the receiver module are replaced, check your owner’s manual as it may be important to have this switch in a specific position in order for it to function correctly. The question often comes up, “Will an IPI system work if power to the house is interrupted?” The answer is yes, provided the batteries are fresh.

HOW OFTEN TO REPLACE?

Your “beeping” fireplace is telling you something: It’s time to replace batteries! Keep in mind that the receiving module will need fresh batteries more frequently than the remote control. Maybe get in the habit of changing these batteries along with the batteries in your smoke alarms. Many customers have found that by replacing these batteries in the spring and fall, they can eliminate this friendly and often very annoying reminder!

Of course, if you need assistance your WE LOVE FIRE expert is ready, willing and able!

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service ()

Auburn, AL

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
1280 Financial Ct.
Auburn, AL 36830

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps LogoVisit Store Page

Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

Custom Fireside Shops LogoVisit Store Page

Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

Custom Fireside Shops LogoVisit Store Page

Durango, CO

Durango Outdoor Living
140 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301

Durango Outdoor Living LogoVisit Store Page

Durango, CO

Four Corner Stoves & Spas
3001 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

Four Corner Stoves & Spas LogoVisit Store Page

Grand Junction, CO

Stove Depot and Chimney Works
330 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Stove Depot and Chimney Works LogoVisit Store Page

New London, CT

Family Hearth and Patio LLC
571 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320

Family Hearth and Patio LLC LogoVisit Store Page

Ridgefield, CT

Yankee Doodle, Inc.
71 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877

Yankee Doodle, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Dover, DE

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc.
1368b Rose Valley School Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Destin, FL

Doodlebuggers Service Network
36054 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

Bettendorf, IA

Fireplaces Plus, Inc.
1745 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Fireplaces Plus, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Post Falls, ID

Quality Stoves & Home Furnishings
569 N Syringa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

Rockford, IL

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc.
3486 Lonergan Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Wauconda, IL

Grass Roots Energy, Inc.
28751 N Route 12
Wauconda, IL 60084

Grass Roots Energy, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Evansville, IN

Firemaster, Inc.
5300 E Morgan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

Jeffersonville, IN

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales
915 Nachand Ln
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales LogoVisit Store Page

Overland Park, KS

Kansas City Fireplace Center
10470 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212

Kansas City Fireplace Center LogoVisit Store Page

Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC LogoVisit Store Page

Littleton, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
60 White Street
Littleton, MA 01460

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Seekonk, MA

The Fireplace Showcase
775 Fall River Ave
Seekonk, MA 02771

The Fireplace Showcase LogoVisit Store Page

Sudbury, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
348 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Duluth, MN

Duluth Stove & Fireplace
2431 W Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55806

Duluth Stove & Fireplace LogoVisit Store Page

Minneapolis, MN

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces
2901 Franklin Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Oakdale, MN

Energy Savers of Minnesota
6298 Highway 36 Blvd N
Oakdale, MN 55128

Energy Savers of Minnesota LogoVisit Store Page

Rochester, MN

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe
1904 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe LogoVisit Store Page

Walker, MN

Wilkening Fireplace Company
9608 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484

Wilkening Fireplace Company LogoVisit Store Page

Fargo, ND

Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc.
701 28th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Omaha, NE

Fireplace By Design
13913 R Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137

Epping, NH

The Stove Shoppe
285, Calef Highway Rte. 125
Epping, NH 03042

Windham, NH

The Stove Shoppe
25 Indian Rock Road
Windham, NH 03087

Hamilton, NJ

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home
1731 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, NJ 08619

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home LogoVisit Store Page

Voorhees, NJ

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc.
476 Centennial Blvd
Voorhees, NJ 08043

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Media, PA

Chimney Cricket
101 State Road
Media, PA 19063

Chimney Cricket LogoVisit Store Page

Rapid City, SD

Hebron Brick Company
1543 Deadwood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57709

Hebron Brick Company LogoVisit Store Page

Sioux Falls, SD

Hebron Brick Company
2211 W. 50th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525

Hebron Brick Company LogoVisit Store Page

Vermillion, SD

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc.
710 Cottage Avenue
Vermillion, SD 57069

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

Winston's Chimney Service LogoVisit Store Page

Barre, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10
Barre, VT 05641-2317

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop LogoVisit Store Page

Bennington, VT

Friends of The Sun
126 Hicks Avenue
Bennington, VT 05201

Friends of The Sun LogoVisit Store Page

Manchester, VT

Friends of The Sun
159 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255

Friends of The Sun LogoVisit Store Page

Shelburne, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
3113 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop LogoVisit Store Page

White River Jnct, VT

Home Comfort of New England
1255 VA Cut Off Road
White River Jnct, VT 05001

Home Comfort of New England LogoVisit Store Page

Burlington, WI

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC
857 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI 53105

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC LogoVisit Store Page

Madison, WI

Top Hat
5117 Verona Rd
Madison, WI 53711

Top Hat LogoVisit Store Page

Morgantown, WV

Rustic By Design
709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15
Morgantown, WV 26505

Laramie, WY

High Country Stoves & Fireplaces
860 N. 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82072


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

6 Responses

  1. Andrew bronstein
    I have a Montigo h42df fireplace that is beeping. It is in the wall? What do I do? Thanks for your help! Best, Andy
    • Dominique Page
      Hello Andrew The very best in this case would be to call your local fireplace store who installed your fireplace. If you do not know who it is, call the closest store to you.
  2. Peggy
    Thank you, Joe and welovefire.com for this article. A gas appliance giving an alert is scary, if you don’t know what it means. The manufacturer’s instructions didn’t even mention a receiver, let alone batteries. Clear writing and good information: such a relief! Thanks again.
    • Dominique Page
      Always a pleasure!
  3. Gas Fireplace Keeps Beeping? Here’s Why (+ How to Fix) – Temperature Master
    […] available as a gas fireplace operates, the default mode of an intermittent pilot ignition system is often the on or continuous […]
  4. Recognizing Gas Fireplace Issues Pt2 - We Love Fire
    […] with remote controls and IPI systems use batteries. When these batteries get low, you may notice a small red light blinking and hear a sound chirping. The battery compartment might be challenging to find, especially on the remote-control receiving […]
  5. Penny Pearson
    My gas fireplace is beeping even though I don’t have a remote. What could be causing this?
    • Dominique Page
      Good question. Hard for us to tell from here. The best would be to contact your local fireplace store to find out.

Leave a comment