Seven Steps to Prepare Your Propane Fireplace for Winter

There’s nothing better than coming home to a roaring fire on a cold day – especially if all you have to do is push a button to get that fire started. That’s the convenience you get when you install a propane hearth in your North Carolina home.

If you already have a propane fireplace, propane insert or propane gas log set, congratulations – you’ve got a living room centerpiece, an efficient space heater, and an off-the-grid source of heat in one beautiful, easy-to-use package (if you don’t, what are you waiting for? Contact us for a free, no obligation estimate). But your propane hearth only gets to play all of those roles if it works properly.

Here are seven things you should do before you fire up your propane hearth this fall:

• Read up – If you haven’t used your gas fireplace in a while, take a quick look at the operating instructions before you set it up for the season. If your owner’s manual includes different guidelines than the ones we list below, please follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
• Clear the fireplace vent – Remove any debris that blocks your fireplace vent – cobwebs, sticks and leaves, etc., along with any pests – before they can create a fire or carbon monoxide risk in your home.
• Check the glass on your fireplace insert – If you have a glass-covered propane fireplace insert/ fire box, check it for cracks or chips; the glass casing helps contain carbon monoxide emissions.
• Clean your propane log set – The ceramic logs in your propane fireplace log set can gather dust when not in use. While dust build-up isn’t a hazard, it could cause an unpleasant burning odor when you start a fire.

  If you choose to clean your propane log set:

  • Always make sure your propane gas valve is closed attempting any work.
  • Remember that your logs must be returned to their EXACT position after cleaning; logs that are not positioned properly can cause carbon buildup and damage your fireplace. Consider photographing the logs before you disassemble them to remember how they are positioned.

  Once you remove the logs, clear dust with a vacuum and replace broken logs.

• Dust off the blower – If your fireplace insert or freestanding propane fireplace as an electric blower, clear away any dust with a stiff bristled brush. If dust falls into the mechanism as you brush, vacuum it up after you finish cleaning the blower.
• Check your pilot light – If your fireplace has a pilot light, inspect it visually; if you see loose wires, contact us for service. If you don’t see any issues, test the pilot light; if you encounter a problem, contact us for service.
• Schedule preventative maintenance – Gas fireplaces should undergo a professional inspection at least once a year to identify problems such as gas leaks and broken sensors, and generally to keep the equipment running as safely and efficiently as possible.

Cool nights have arrived – make sure your gas fireplace is ready for them! Contact us today to schedule maintenance for your propane gas fireplace or fireplace insert – or to keep the fire going all fall and winter long with reliable propane deliveries anywhere in our North Carolina service area.