Gas fireplaces provide comparatively clean heat, as opposed to heating with wood or wood products.
Even with the cleaner burn, you will still need to perform regular maintenance of this heating system to ensure that it remains safe and efficient.
Monthly Maintenance Perform regular maintenance of gas fireplaces to ensure that they continue to operate safely.
With use, it's possible that components can wear out, leading to dangerous toxins entering your home.
Take action with the following tips: 1.
Clean the glass on the door of the unit once each month, whether you use it or not.
Using standard glass cleaner will keep the glass clean and prevent permanent etching and cloudiness on the glass.
2.
Inspect the inside surfaces of the unit, looking for dust and dirt buildup on the interior of the system.
If you find a layer of dust or dirt, wipe it off gently with a soft cloth.
3.
Check the fitting of the glass door on the unit to ensure that all bolts and connections are tight.
Loose connections could result in dangerous carbon monoxide entering your home.
If you find any loose bolts, tighten them completely.
4.
Inspect the gasket around the glass door or the firebox of the system.
Over time, gaskets can crack or break apart, creating another dangerous gas situation.
If you notice damage in the gasket, replace it immediately before using the system again.
5.
Check the outside vent of the system to ensure that leaves or debris are not blocking or clogging it.
If you find anything blocking the vent, remove it immediately.
If you notice damage as a result of a blockage, get it repaired immediately before using the unit again.
Annual Inspections An annual inspection is an important safeguard to ensure that gas fireplaces are safe to operate.
It's possible that these units can have a buildup of debris.
The ceramic combustibles you burn in the unit can lead to an accumulation of debris, possibly even clogging vents.
For this reason, it's important to inspect the interior surfaces of the entire system, removing residue and debris as necessary.
Take the following tips into consideration for annual inspections: 1.
Gas fireplaces involve an intricate configuration of parts that work together to deliver heat.
With use, these valves and connections can loosen or develop leaks, resulting in dangerous gas flowing into your home.
It's important you make sure this is prevented.
2.
Check the ceramic logs present in the firebox to ensure that they are in the correct location and working effectively.
3.
Potential issues with the pilot light of the unit can also cause serious malfunctions, even involving explosions and fires.
Check this regularly.
4.
Include a complete check of the ventilation system and the chimney.
The chimney moves air through to exhaust it outside.
If any part malfunctions, your unit could emit toxic carbon monoxide into your home.
While you can perform much of the monthly maintenance of your fireplace, contact a professional for assistance with the annual inspections.
The safety of your family and the efficiency of gas fireplaces are important enough to warrant hiring a professional team to perform this work.