Gas Articles

Normally, you can change your gas fireplace from using propane to running on natural gas without a problem. You’ll need to change some parts with a gas conversion kit and it’s best to get a certified professional to carry out this job to ensure everything is performed safely. You don’t want to run into problems…

Over time, your glass door will eventually start to accumulate deposits, which should be cleaned on an annual basis to look after the glass. You can clean the glass more often if you see deposits building up sooner.

Initially, a new fire can emit smoke and/or smells produced due to the painting and finish on your stove or fire. When you first use your fire, the paint will ‘cure’ and some of the finish will burn off. All you need to do is let some fresh air into your room and the initial…

If you follow the instructions above to light your pilot light, make sure you keep holding down the control knob in the ignite position for as long as a minute after the pilot light has been lit by the igniter. This helps to make sure the flame is lit and stable. If you’re still having…

Regardless of whether you’re using your fire all year round or not, it’s best to leave the pilot light on all year round. It will only use a tiny amount of gas and turning the pilot light off can lead to problems that will need to be fixed. Running the pilot light all year round…

First of all, ensure your gas supply is turned on. When you’re sure that it is, look for your control panel which is behind a door or behind fireplace grates. Locate igniter and on/off knobs which are beside each other. The first one is usually red or black. Then turn the on/off knob to the…

The functions on your gas appliance will vary depending on the make and model you own. In many cases, you can turn your gas fire or stove on or off at the wall, by using a remote control or by turning the thermostat up or down. A wall switch will just turn the appliance on…

You need to have a regular gas appliance check and carry out maintenance for safety reasons. This should be done on an annual basis. You can clean the glass door on your gas stove or fireplace every couple of months to prevent sticky deposits from accumulating. However, only do this with a special glass cleaner.…

There are adjustable gas valves installed on fireplaces, stoves and inserts.  Adjust the flame height down and you will use less gas and realize less heat.  Adjust the amount up, and you’ll use more gas and get more heat from the unit. In the USA and some Canadian provinces, natural gas (NG) is measured in…

This is a term that’s used when heating only a portion of your home.  When you think about it, most people spend the majority of their time only two or three rooms.  And many people like their bedrooms cooler than the rest of the house.  Zone heating warms those the area of the home that…

A zero clearance (ZC) fireplace is a fireplace that has been designed to be built into a combustible frame wall.  There are small “stand-offs” on the exterior of a ZC fireplace that that can be in direct contact with 2x4 or 2x6 framing.  This makes for versatile and rather quick installations. Do not get this…

In a nutshell, radiant heat, heats objects.  Think of the sunshine when you think of radiant heat.  Ever been sitting in a car with the sun shining through your window?  You’re probably warmer than the passengers on the other side of the car.  That heat you’re feeling is the radiant energy from the sun. A…

Yes it will!  Your gas fireplace, stove or insert generates its own electricity to open and closed the gas valve. Today’s appliances use one of two types of ignition systems: 1) a standing pilot light, called a “millivolt system” or, 2) an intermittent pilot ignition often referred to as an IPI or electronic ignition system. …

This is not uncommon.  Combustion air levels could be a bit low and the draft will take a couple of minutes to get well established.  It normally takes a few minutes for the flames to adjust on a cold start.  LP seems to have a tendency to look a little more bluish on start-up than…

Yes, there definitely is a difference!  These are NOT synonymous terms!  A gas fireplace is designed to be built into a framed wall.  This is done during construction or a remodeling project.  There is an insulated shell around the firebox that provides protection against overheating any wooden framing members.  Gas fireplaces can be vented horizontally…

On a new appliance, there are oil residues from the manufacturing process.  Your new equipment has also been painted with a high temperature paint.  It normally takes an hour or two of curing time to burn the excess oil residues off and for the paint to completely cure.  During this time, the fireplace may have…

This can be more of a problem, but can be corrected by a competent fireplace service technician.  The black is the result of soot from incomplete combustion.  One of these scenarios is likely occurring:  1) the air to fuel ratio is not adjusted properly, 2) the logs are not positioned exactly as the manufacturer specifies,…

There is a temperature difference between the air inside of the fireplace and the air in the room.  Warmer air has more moisture than cooler air.  When the fireplace is turned on, the temperature inside the fireplace begins to warm up and condensation forms on the cooler glass.  The water vapor in the warmer air…

You need to have a regular gas appliance check and carry out maintenance for safety reasons. This should be done on an annual basis. You can clean the glass door on your gas stove or fireplace every couple of months to prevent sticky deposits from accumulating. However, only do this with a special glass cleaner.…