This guide will tell you how to make sure your gas fireplace stays lit and when it may be better to call a professional to fix it. Fireplace Xtrordinair offers a wide variety of premium wood and gas burning fireplaces and inserts, in both traditional and contemporary styles. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. Before you can access the thermocouple, you will need to take the access panel off. If you do not have one of them, go buy one now. I included an image of the thermocouple in the above section, but youll see it as a small cylinder next to the pilot light. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. Three hundred millivolts or higher voltage is a sign of a good thermopile. This guide is for REFERENCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and we take no responsibility if something goes wrong. After turning your fireplace key, listen for any gas entering your fireplace (you may have to remove your fireplace glass door before you can hear it, see below). This is the easiest step. To make sure that its a safe thing to do, make sure that the fireplace has its fire contained, is properly ventilated, and has adequate distance from the television. If it has an orange flame, theres likely carbon residue blocking it from burning properly. Hereof,how do you change a thermocouple on a gas fireplace? Winter Savings - Save up to $800 Save big on new Regency Gas Fireplaces, Inserts, Stoves and Electric Fireplaces this winter. Napoleon F60 On/Off Fireplace Remote Control with Thermostat provides control of gas heating fireplaces with a simple click of a button. Yes, but, Can You Paint A Marble Fireplace? Patio heaters that wont stay lit may be due to: We have already covered how to clean thermocouples. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. Reset the knob to the pilot position: Remember to do this when you are ready to ignite the pilot light of your gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces are designed to stop the flow of gas if the pilot light is off. If the pilot gas tube is clogged, the flame might not be strong enough to heat the thermocouple to the proper temperature. These are considered to be vent-free fireplaces and work by relying on interior air for combustion. I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post (at no extra cost to you). If the fireplace pilot light is on but won't start, make sure your gas valve is turned on and check the fuse or breakers. Also to know,can you replace a thermocouple yourself? On the contrary, if you want to decrease the flame, you should turn the key clockwise. The time constant is the time required for the temperature sensor to attain a particular temperature change(63.2% of the step change). Should thermocouple be in pilot flame? Want some nicer rocks or logs for your gas fireplace? Locate two terminals called 'TH' and 'TP'. This will allow you to get to where you need to be. Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple for Tall Patio Heater, One Size, Grey, Open during high temperature allowing gas to be released. GA3650TB GA3650TB Blower fan kit fits DESA Fireplaces made under the brand names of Comfort Glow, FMI and Vanguard GA3750A GA3750A Blower fan kit fits DESA Fireplaces made under the brand names of Comfort Glow, FMI and Vanguard CDCF Fireplace Parts Comfort Glow compact ventfree fireplaces CDCFNR fireplace in Natural gas CDCFPR fireplace in Propane Gently rub it with your steel wool or the rougher side of your sponge. Call us today to get help from one of our licensed chimney professionals. Its easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Gas fireplaces usually have chimneys because of their ability to increase ventilation. Its quite common for a security light to take several tries to light again after being left on inadvertently. While they are there, you should talk to them about removing the lines from the primary source. Pull off the complete thermocouple setup after that. A tiny flame known as a standing flame is used to heat a small probe called a thermocouple, or thermopile. A contractor fixing the thermocouple and the pilot light will usually be able to replace both in one hour, meaning it will be $45 to $150 for both. Beside above,how much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace? The first thing you should do when faced with fireplaces that wont stay lit is to make sure your pilot light is lit. Note that gas fireplace installations cost around $2,300 to $10,000. The thermocouple lasts for 10 years or more, and when it fails, the pilot won't stay lit and the fireplace won't work. Fireplacetips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Therefore, finding why you have no flame in your gas fireplace is pretty straightforward. Due to the risk of fire hazards and the difficulty that can arise when it comes to finding the right parts, most experts agree that its better to call a licensed and certified gas technician. Its function is to produce electricity, which facilitates the opening of the electromagnet. The junction between these two wires is the measuring point. Once the metal gets heated, voltage travels down a copper wire to the gas valve that controls the device. Turn on the knob from off to pilot to turn on the gas fireplace. And the worst part is that you can have a bad thermocouple without even knowing. Ah, fireplaces. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. then you need a resistor in series with the 1.5v battery of value. Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. Did you recently notice that your patio heater was not working great? Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. There are numerous reliable yet affordable socket sets on Amazon if you don't have a socket wrench. The electricity is generated when the metal is heated down a copper wire to the gas valve that operates the appliance. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. Thermocouples are sensors used to measure temperature. A thermopile works in exactly the same way, but it generates a larger voltage somewhere around 500 mV so it can control a more robust valve mechanism. Nowadays, most people have gas fireplaces instead of wood. If you set the flame too high, the flame will impinge the glass and cause soot buildup over time. Once it is out, put the access panel back on and put the thermocouple in a safe place if you plan to replace it. Make sure to turn off your gas flow before conducting the test since youll have to remove the thermocouple. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Next I unplugged the ON/OFF switch, and connected wires directly flame came right on again, which means High-Limit switch is good, and it was the on/off switch! Turn off the gas on the main line that supplies your gas fired appliance. Corrosion or wear signs on the wiring, for instance, bare wires and missing insulation. To temporarily sort the situation, you can bypass thermocouples until you have funds to replace them. In our troubleshooting guide, we will provide detailed information about patio heater thermocouples and where to locate them. Make sure to report it as a gas leak, and explain why you believe it may be coming from your fireplace. Pull the thermocouple out fully and replace the access door. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. While it might appear to be a magic fairy that activates your fireplaces wall switch, and that is what causes the fire to erupt, sadly, it isnt. Step 2 - Address the Pilot Light Your gas fireplace will contain a pilot light. But not all of these systems use a thermocouple. The thermocouple generates about 20-30 millivolts, enough electricity to keep the part of the gas valve that controls gas flow to the pilot assembly open. When the connection of these two metals is heated or cooled, a voltage is created that can be linked back to the temperature. A broken thermocouple is possible, but not likely. If you purchased a power cord, simply connect the white wire from the power cord to the terminal marked N on the relay, and the black wire to the terminal marked L. Once you've done this, plug the wire into the outlet under the fireplace. Even today, we use them to cozy up on colder days. When the heat reaches the thermocouple's second junction, it creates an electrical voltage. How To Disconnect Propane Tank from Fire Pit, How to get more heat from a propane fire pit. If youd like a visual of the above troubleshooting steps, check out this video by Mike Klimek. Step 2 Full Tank Check the fuel level on the tank; it may be empty. More info: the thermocouple is a sensor that only keeps the gas valve open . Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Do You Need Chimney or Fireplace Cleaning or Inspection? It should be mostly blue, burn steadily and be large enough to engulf the thermocouple probe. If your fireplace lights, its a bad wall switch and it needs to be replaced. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. 1) If there is no pilot flame, thermopile wont sense heat and wont open the valve. The following is only an educational overview of how gas fireplace components are checked. How does a thermocouple work? Though gas fireplaces can exude smoke and heat, mounting a TV over one is actually fairly safe. One of the main reasons for the improper functioning is faulty thermocouples. If you do see corrosion, clean it off using a bit of vinegar and baking soda. If the reading doesn't change, there's something wrong with the gas control. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. Turn the flame source on to conduct the actual test. With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. 5.1k . available from Radio Crap or www.hosfelt.com. To quickly clean your thermopile, turn off the gas supply. Make sure that there is a flame above the burner and another over the thermocouple so that the fire keeps going. Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts Step 2. Gas fireplace repair costs $200 to $1,000 on average. If youre getting gas, but no light yet, try using a lighter to ignite the gas opening. Some people cant pronounce it, much less figure out how to clean it. The good news is gas valves almost never fail! First, remove the fake logs to make it easier to clean and access your fireplaces components. Read more. If that is the case, then youre not the typical fireplace user. If you dont know where to look for patio heater thermocouples, check around your heaters flame. It should be blue, encompass the top third of the thermocouple, and extend down to surround it completely. If your pilot light is turning on but youre not getting gas, and youve checked everything else, consider replacing your thermocouple. That should be about it for the tools that you will need. Electronic flame sensors are much less universal, and you must find the exact part specified for your furnace model. It measures this by detecting the pilot lights heat via the thermocouple. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. If you do not know how to use a specific tool, look it up and learn how. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Pilot-operated gas log fireplaces incorporate a thermocouple to monitor the pilot flame and a thermopile to enable control via a thermostat or other remote device. Another common culprit is incorrect gas pressure. The multimeter should read 300 millivolts or more. Attach the leads of your multimeter to your thermocouple. Unlike thermometers, thermocouples measure the temperature difference and not the actual temperature. How do you clean a dirty thermocouple? Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. To disable thermocouples, either one end or the other needs to be removed from the source. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. However, switch off the gas supply line valve before lifting it. You can test if your gas fireplace is working by using the switch located next to the burner. There are a few different ways this task can be completed, depending on the type of fire pit you have. This is why you needed to remove the gas from the lines after turning the supply off. If you have no pilot light, it is most likely that your thermocouple is bad, and needs replacement. Most fireplaces are pretty primitive and only have a few components that can malfunction and will require repair. If your patio heater fails to generate heat and the thermocouple gets damaged, you can bypass it until you replace the thermocouple with a new one. If youdochoose to DIY it, make sure to follow the steps to the letter and keep an eye on other parts while you do it. Use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the thermocouple. It should also be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple and thermopile. A gas fireplace that keeps shutting off is annoying, but its not the end of the world. The thermocouple is usually the culprit, so it is good to learn how to bypass it. Each clip type may be slightly different, but they can all be removed. Realistically, you have just disabled the thermocouple, but you can also reach in and unclip it from its holding bracket where it meets the pilot light. When troubleshooting, start with the switch and follow your way up the fireplace. This occurs by virtue of a phenomenon known as the Seebeck effect, whereby an electric potential is generated between dissimilar metals when there's a large temperature difference, and the thermocouple probe and tubing are indeed made of different metals. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible. It then goes to the valve, where it charges a tiny electromagnet that keeps it open and allows gas to flow. Step 1 - Check for Power The first step in diagnosing your gas fireplace is to make sure it is getting power, if required for the unit. Thermocouple are pretty universal and cost $12-$35. The black and red of the 18/2 thermostat wire connects terminals 2 and 4 of the control relay to the millivolt gas valve TPTH and TH terminals. If you do hear clicking and your fireplace still wont light, there could be an issue with the gas intake. How Do You Clean a Thermocouple on a Propane Heater? If you skip that step, you will be letting out some gas, which can be a fire hazard or health hazard. How To Replace A Thermocouple In A Gas Fireplace. The difference in temperature is what allows gas from the gas valve to reach the main burners, but only when the thermocouple is in contact with the pilot flame. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 99. Not all gas fireplaces rely on electricity to function. How Do You Fix a Patio Heater That Wont Stay Lit? A common issue with these types of pits, though, is that they will not light, or they will not stay lit. If you find the flame is yellow (learn more about fire colors here) after turning it on and covering the probe, it implies that the intake holes should be cleaned. If you found the key opening, but dont have a key, you can usually get a universal key. 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