Why does my pilot light keep going out on my gas fireplace?
If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit.
Why does my gas fireplace go out after a few minutes?
If you get dust in the pilot assembly and the pilot needs to be cleaned out, it produces a “lazy” flame, which will be disturbed by the draught of the main burners. The flame lifts away from the thermocouple and causes the temperature on the tip of the thermocouple to drop. This, in turn, makes the gas valve shut off.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?
How to Clean the Thermocouple in a Gas Fireplace
- Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace.
- Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe.
- Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace?
Light the pilot and observe the quality and size of the flame. It should be mostly blue, burn steadily and be large enough to engulf the thermocouple probe. If it’s yellow or orange, undersized and unsteady, the pilot tube is probably clogged, and it needs to be cleaned.
Why does my fire keep going out in my fireplace?
The ‘Fire Triangle’ taught us that fire needs three things to burn: oxygen, heat and fuel. If one of these is missing, it’s likely that your log burner will keep going out. While the most common causes of log burners going out are insufficient oxygen, fuel or heat, stoves also rely on a properly functioning chimney.
How long does a thermocouple last?
Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
What happens if a thermocouple fails?
A thermocouple is a sort of “co-pilot” to your pilot light, which allows the gas burners on your water heater to be lit. In a few cases, a malfunctioning thermocouple may allow gas to leak into your home, which is a major problem. …
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
Why does a pilot light go out on a gas fireplace?
The pilot light may accidentally go out from a gush of chimney air when the fireplace is vented through a chimney or the pilot may be turned off to conserve gas during the warmer months of non-use.
How do I light the pilot on my gas fireplace?
Light the pilot on a gas-log fireplace by turning the gas flow knob to the “pilot” setting, holding the knob in and using a match to ignite the pilot. After lighting the pilot, continue to hold the control knob in for about 30 seconds, or the pilot may go out. Once the pilot stays lit by itself, turn the gas flow knob to the “on” position.
How to light the pilot light on a gas fireplace?
Turn the knob from the “Off” to the “Pilot” position.
Why you should turn off your gas fireplace pilot light?
Here are good reasons to turn off your gas fireplace pilot in the summer: When your pilot light remains on, a small amount of heat is generated. When your pilot light is off, you save money and help to conserve energy. If a pilot light on a gas fireplace is left on for long periods of time without also turning on the fireplace’s main burner, a white sulfur-based film tends to
