When compared to wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces provide a number of significant advantages. Gas fireplace owners don’t have to chop or buy wood, find a place to store and protect it, or brave the elements to drag a new log or two from the shed or yard to the home as needed.
Gas fireplaces turn on and off with the flick of a switch or the turn of a key, and they’re ready to read a bedtime story or cuddle up on the sofa with that special someone in a second. Also, once the fire is out, there’s no need to sweep up those filthy and annoying ashes.
When seasons change, you may be considering ways to increase the effectiveness of your home’s heating system, particularly if you have an older brick wall fireplace. While this style of the wood-burning fireplace creates a lot of ambiances, the majority of the heat it generates escapes through the chimney and out of your house.
This can be costly because you’ll have to raise your furnace’s thermostat to keep your house warm and comfortable throughout the coldest months of the year.
You might also explore adding extra heat to a room in order to cut costs on energy by adopting zone heating. To get your gas fireplace ready for the cooler months, complete these six phases.
1. Check the Ventilation Outside
Your fireplace vent might get clogged with debris during the off-season. If you start a fire without clearing the obstacle first, you risk a fire or dangerous carbon monoxide levels in your home.
Look for dust, leaves, or other material in your vent and clean it out. If you see live pests in the vent, call a professional pest control company to analyze gas fireplace log options.
2. Inspect your window screen
Check for breaks or chips in the glass that could weaken it or allow dangerous gasses into your home. Adjust any screws to ensure the glass closes firmly and functions properly.
3. Clear out the wood and stones
When your fireplace isn’t in use, the ceramic log, rocks, or beads can become dusty. This dust does not represent a concern in most cases, but it might produce an unpleasant burning odor when you start a fire.
Before you use your fireplace for the first time, give it a good brushing. You might also need to use a portable vacuum to get rid of any remaining dust.
Remove any glass rocks or beads that need to be cleaned from the fireplace and wash them in the sink. Before putting everything back in the fireplace, make sure it’s completely dry.
4. Get a Professional Inspection Planned
At least once a year, a professional inspection is required for gas fireplaces. A contractor will inspect the condition of individual components as well as the overall function of the unit during the inspection.
This check can help detect major issues, such as gas leaks or damaged sensors before they become a health or safety hazard. Routine inspections also allow you to make informed decisions about your gas fireplace in the long run, such as anticipating any repairs and determining when the item may need to be replaced.
Final word
Follow all of these measures before lighting your first fire of the season to ensure that the fire crackles happily and brightly regardless of the weather outside.
Have you used your gas fireplace during chilly winter days? Upgrade to a newer gas fireplace to provide your home with a safer, more efficient, and nicer source of heat.
