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If you want to use your gas fireplace to keep your home warm and cozy this winter, the first step is knowing how to use it properly. While gas fireplaces aren’t overly complicated to operate, they require some key steps to work. Some models have an electric ignition. If your gas fireplace has a switch on the wall or a remote control, it likely falls into this category, and you can light it by simply pressing a button or flipping a switch. However, lighting all gas fireplaces is not so straightforward. Ahead, we’ll explain how to light a gas fireplace with a control panel, as well as the steps to follow for models that have a key.
Safety Precautions
Before delving into how to start a gas fireplace, note some important safety precautions you should take. Remember, gas fireplaces are fueled by natural gas. If you ever suspect that gas might be leaking, vacate your home immediately, and call 911. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission outlines some of the warning signs of a gas leak, including a hissing sound or a strong sulfur or rotten egg smell in the home. Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home—and testing them regularly—is an essential step for anyone who has a gas fireplace (or any other gas appliances).
Kevin Hayes, the director of Centreline Fires in the U.K., also highlights the importance of keeping fire safety in mind before lighting a gas fireplace. “Check that the area around the fireplace is clear of any clutter like paper, decorations, or anything flammable,” he says.
How to Light a Gas Fireplace with a Control Panel
The steps for how to turn on a gas fireplace with a control panel can be a bit more involved than those for other types of gas fireplaces. For this reason, the first thing you should always do is read the manual for your specific model. While the general steps for lighting these fireplaces are similar, they might differ slightly between manufacturers. Reading the manual before you get started will help you learn the best way to light your fireplace, and help you avoid making a potentially dangerous mistake.
STEP 1: Open the door for the access panel.
To use the control panel to light your fireplace, you’ll need to access it first. For most gas fireplaces, this panel should be located at the base of the unit. The access panel covers the fireplace controls; this panel should be easy to remove by simply pulling it off.
STEP 2: Find the control knob and ensure it is set to the “off” position.
After opening the control panel, look for the control knob. This valve should be easy to identify, since it will be labeled with the words “pilot,” “off,” and “on” (or possibly a string of numbers). Before you do anything to start lighting the fireplace, Hayes cautions, “Ensure the gas valve is in the ‘off’ position to start with to avoid gas from flowing while you prepare the fire.”
STEP 3: Wait at least 5 minutes and open the emergency shut-off valve.
If the knob was not in the off position when you opened the panel, you should wait a minimum of 5 minutes before proceeding with the next steps of fireplace lighting. This waiting period is essential to ensure that no natural gas is lingering in the air when you light the fireplace. Skipping it can increase the chances of a natural gas explosion.
STEP 4: Set the control knob to the pilot position and press on the ignition switch.
During the 5-minute wait period, refresh yourself on how to light a pilot light and get your fireplace started. Begin by turning the gas control valve to “Pilot.” With it still in this position, press the knob in and hold it in place. “This allows gas to flow to the pilot light area. It might feel a little stiff if you haven’t used it in a while, but that’s normal, so don’t worry,” says Hayes. To prevent gas from flowing into the room, do not turn the knob to this position unless you’re immediately ready to light the fireplace.
As you’re holding the control knob in, use your other hand to push the ignition button. You’ll need to click it several times while holding the pilot button down to create the necessary spark for lighting the flame. When you notice a steady flame, you’ve successfully lit the pilot flame. “If your fireplace doesn’t have an ignition button, you can use a long fireplace lighter or match to manually light it,” says Hayes.
STEP 5: After holding the control knob for at least 30 seconds, set it to the “on” position.
When you see the steady flame, you can stop pressing the ignition button. However, you shouldn’t release the control knob just yet. “Continue holding the knob for an additional 30 to 60 seconds to allow the thermocouple to heat up—this is the safety device that keeps the gas flowing to the pilot once you have it lit,” says Docia Boylen, owner of Handyman Connection of Golden, Colorado. After about 30 seconds have passed, you can release the knob and rotate it to “On.”
STEP 6: Close the access panel door.
Now that your gas fireplace is lit, you can return the access panel to its place and adjust the flame as desired. If a draft or something else causes the pilot light to go out, you’ll need to repeat the steps above to relight the pilot light and restart your fireplace. If your gas fireplace won’t turn on at all or “if you are unable to keep the pilot light lit, contact a professional, since this could indicate a problem with your gas line or thermocouple,” says Boylen.
How to Light a Gas Fireplace with a Key
If your gas fireplace or fireplace insert has a circular slot near the unit, typically toward its base, then you’ll need to use a key to light it. If you don’t have the key for your model, you can purchase a universal replacement key online or at a local home improvement store. One of the best ways to learn how to use a gas fireplace with a key is to start with the manual from the manufacturer. Doing so can help you identify whether there are any special safety considerations or directions to keep in mind.
STEP 1: Remove the glass panel cover in front of the fire chamber.
Before lighting a gas fireplace with a key, you must remove the cover for the unit. In most cases, the cover is a glass panel that keeps the area where the fire burns separated from the room. Find the latches that are keeping the glass in place—these should be along the sides or the top and bottom of the glass. Depending on your model, the glass panel might fully lift off, or it might open like a door. If you recently had the fireplace on, it is important to let the glass cool fully before attempting to remove it.
STEP 2: Locate the gas valve and insert the key (without turning it).
After the glass has been removed, locate the gas valve, which will likely be along the base of the fireplace and will look like a round slot. Put the key into the gas valve. It is important to wait to turn the key until you are ready to light the fireplace, because gas will start flowing as soon as you turn the key.
STEP 3: Light the burner and turn the key counterclockwise.
Use a fireplace lighter or a long match to light the burner. With the fireplace lighter or match lit and in place, turn the key counterclockwise to start the flow of gas. Once the gas comes on, the burner should light immediately. If you are unable to reach the key while safely holding the fireplace lighter or match in place, ask for help to avoid an accident.
STEP 4: Return the glass panel to its place and adjust the flame height using the key.
After starting a gas fireplace, you can carefully return the glass panel back into place. Then, you can use the key to adjust the flame height. If you want to increase the flames, turn the key counterclockwise; if you wish to decrease them, rotate it clockwise.
FAQ About Lighting a Gas Fireplace
Keeping a gas fireplace pilot light on year-round is optional, and each individual should weigh the pros and cons before deciding what to do. “When you leave it on year-round, it keeps the system ready for use,” says Boylen. She said this is good in colder climates, and can reduce moisture in the gas lines. “It can also deter animals from nesting in the vent,” says Boylen.
However, Boylen also says there are a few downsides to leaving the pilot light on all the time. Leaving the light on will increase your utility bills, but by a small amount only. The heat from the flame can also increase the temperature of a room during the warmer summer months.
Yes, fireplace pilot lights work similarly to water heater pilot lights. “Each relies on a small flame to ignite a larger burner when heat is needed,” says Hayes. “When the pilot flame is burning, it heats a safety sensor like a thermocouple or thermopile. This sensor detects whether the pilot is lit and, if it is, keeps the gas supply open,” he says. Hayes notes that a key difference between the two is that water heaters are designed to turn on automatically when more hot water is required, but gas fireplaces are more often designed for manual operation.
Knowing how to relight a pilot light can ensure that your gas fireplace is always ready for use when you need it. “If your fireplace doesn’t have an electronic ignition (or if the ignition isn’t working), you can light the pilot manually with a match or lighter,” says Hayes. “While holding the ‘Pilot’ knob down to release the gas, carefully light the pilot burner with a match or long fireplace lighter. The pilot flame should ignite right away.”
