Look over the user manual included with your fireplace. … Remove your fireplace’s outer cover. … Put a fireplace key into the device’s gas valve knob. … Hold a long lighter up to the burner and ignite it. … Turn the gas key. … Replace the fireplace’s outer cover immediately.

How does fireplace switch work?

Simply put, a fireplace wall switch is a toggle switch that opens or closes the circuit between the thermopile and the gas valve. It operates at millivolts, meaning it is able to operate at very low-voltage electricity(350-1000 millivolts).

Why is my gas fireplace not lighting?

If gas is coming out of the pilot, but it still won’t light, the spark igniter could be the problem. Alleyne says to look for and clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple. … The pilot lighting, but not staying lit, indicates that the thermocouple is worn out, Worthen says.

Which way do you turn a gas fireplace key?

Insert the key back into the key hole to increase or decrease the height of the flame as desired. Turning the key counterclockwise increases the flame and turning it clockwise decreases the flame.

How do you turn off gas fireplace with Wall key?

1. For fireplaces with a control panel, it’s as easy as turning the control knob to off.
2. You should close or turn off the emergency gas valve.
3. For those with a key valve, just insert the fireplace key into the slot and turn it until the valve closes. This cuts off the gas supply, and the pilot will go out.

Are gas fireplace keys universal?

Universal Valve Key for Gas Fire Pits and Fireplaces Are you looking for a replacement key to your indoor or outdoor gas fireplace valve? This Gas Key is the perfect tool for controlling gas in your fireplace. Being universal, it works with both 1/4” and 5/16” socket sizes.

Why won't my fireplace turn on when I flip the switch?

What can happen over the years, is that the connections inside the switch can get dirty, corroded, or broken, causing a loss of this voltage at the switch. So by the time the small amount of voltage gets sent back to the fireplace, it is not enough to signal the fireplace to turn on.

How do you manually turn on a gas fireplace?

1. Look over the user manual included with your fireplace. …
2. Remove your fireplace’s outer cover. …
3. Put a fireplace key into the device’s gas valve knob. …
4. Hold a long lighter up to the burner and ignite it. …
5. Turn the gas key. …
6. Replace the fireplace’s outer cover immediately.

Where is the pilot button on a gas fireplace?

1. Remove decorative fireplace front. …
2. Open valve by pivoting handle to be parallel to gas line.
3. Locate pilot assembly with spark ignitor (located behind and below logs in the firebox – typically in the bottom center).

Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?

Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.

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Does the pilot light always stay on in a gas fireplace?

Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace? Most gas fireplaces rely on a “continuous pilot light,” a type of pilot that remains lit so long as gas is flowing to the unit. … If you have a continuous pilot light system, you should always see a pilot flame unless you have manually turned the system off.

How do you turn on a pilot light?

Turn the gas regulator valve to the “pilot” position. If the water heater has a manual “ignite” button, press that to light the pilot. If it doesn’t have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites.

How do you turn on a gas fireplace with a key and switch?

1. Place a long lighter next to the burner and pull the fuel trigger. (You can also use a lit match.) …
2. Turn the key in the slot to open the gas valve. You may hear the hiss of gas entering the burner. …
3. Replace the key cover.
4. Use the key to control the height of the flames.

How do you test a fireplace wall switch?

The wall switches are low voltage connections that operate as either on/off. You can test this by first turning off the power to your fireplace, then connect the wires going to the wall switch together. When you turn your power back on the fireplace should light and stay lit.

How do you start a fire in a fireplace without newspaper?

1. Use lint. Pack a toilet paper roll with dryer lint. …
2. Use pine needles. Use pine needles or pinecones to start a fire. …
3. Save and dry small pieces of tree bark. Bark catches fire quickly and will maintain embers for a long time.
4. Use dry debris.

How do you light an open fire?

1. Ensure that all air vents in the fireplace are open. Put the logs on the bottom of the fireplace. …
2. Add a layer of small logs of about 4 cm, and then one or two layers of kindling. Remember that air is important – approx. …
3. Put a couple of firelighters on top of the layer of kindling wood. …
4. Light it!

Are all fireplace keys the same size?

A gas fireplace key replacement is an affordable option with Fireplace Doors Online! Each key in our collection will fit 1/4 or 5/16 inch valve stems. … Whether you’ve misplaced your key or just prefer an update, we have 3, 8, 12, 18, and 24-inch sizes available.

How do I know if my fireplace is gas or wood?

If your fireplace has an empty firebox, it is a wood-burning system. Your wood-burning stove will have a door and a space to build your fire, but no ignitors or feeding devices like a pellet stove might have. Wood fires burn wood and vent directly up the flue.

How does fireplace gas valve work?

Gas flows into a series of valves attached to your gas fireplace. The valves are always closed unless something opens it. This prevents gas from flowing into your home when the fireplace is not lit. A device called a thermocouple will hold open the pilot light valve as long as the pilot light is lit.