FAQs for Gas Fireplaces:
What is a gas direct vent fireplace?
While a traditional fireplace provides an open burning chamber that vents
through a chimney, a direct vent fireplace does not require a chimney, and can
vent horizontally out a sidewall or vertically through the roof. It can vent
either way because it has a completely enclosed burning chamber that is highly
efficient, drawing in air for combustion from the outside while expelling gasses
to the outside as well. All direct vent fireplaces are equipped with a tempered
or ceramic glass panel which allows radiant heat to pass into the room. The direct
vent fireplace heats a room without robbing it of oxygen or of the heated air
it is providing, while also keeping it free of fumes and combustible materials
such as embers or ash. Click here
to see a diagram of the operation of a direct vent fireplace.
How often should I have my gas fireplace serviced?
Fireplace manufacturers recommend that all gas fireplaces have an annual service
“tune-up.” If it has been a year since your last service, one is recommended
for safety purposes and proper operation of the fireplace. To request a “tune-up”
of your gas fireplace, call Perfection at 713-937-4575, or email your request
by clicking here: Request a Fireplace Tune-Up.
What do I do if my remote control won’t light my fireplace?
First, determine if it is a problem with the hand held remote, the remote
receiver or with the fireplace itself. To do this, locate the remote receiver
underneath the fireplace. If you cannot locate it, you can refer to your fireplace
operation manual, or call Perfection.
If you fireplace has a battery operated receiver for the hand held remote,
make sure the 4 AA batteries have been replaced with fresh ones. If you have
a plug in receiver for the hand held remote, make sure the power is on to the
plug the receiver is plugged into.
Once you have determined that the remote receiver is in working condition,
turn it to the manual mode and try to turn on the fireplace using the manual
on/off switch. If your fireplace turns on this way, your hand held remote may
need batteries, or may need to be reprogrammed. If you don’t think it is the
batteries, click here for instructions on how to Reprogram
Your Remote.
If your fireplace does not come on after trying all of the above, check the
following:
Make sure you gas supply is turned on, check both the wall valve (key type
or red handled type) as well as the shut off valve on the flex line attached
to the control valve under the fireplace.
If your fireplace is equipped with a standing pilot, make sure the pilot is
lit. If the pilot is not lit, follow the instructions on the link here: How
to Light Your Pilot Light.
If all points above are in working order and the fireplace still will not
light, please contact our customer service department to schedule a service call
at 713-937-4575 or EMAIL US.
Can I take the fixed glass panel off my gas fireplace and burn it that way?
NO! All gas fireplaces that come equipped with a fixed glass panel from the
factory are designed for the glass to stay in place during the operation of the
fireplace. The glass is an integral part of how the fireplace drafts. The glass
also insures that the combustion gases go to the outside of the house, and are
not re-directed into the living space of the home.
Can I clean the glass panel on my fireplace?
You can clean your fireplace glass panel, as needed. It is recommended that
you use only non-ammonia based glass cleaners on the fireplace glass. Your fireplace
should never be on when removing the glass panel.
Most glass panels can be removed easily. First remove the safety mesh screen
(it should come of easily, similar to a window screen) and then remove the glass
panel, which most likely will be attached with glass clips. You should not need
any tools to remove the glass. Once you have cleaned the glass, replace it and
the safety mesh screen before operating your fireplace again. Due to the high
temperatures that the fireplace produces, it is recommended that the mesh screen
be in place at all times when operating your fireplace.
If you are unsure how to remove the glass, or have questions about cleaning
it, refer to your owner’s manual or call Perfection at 713-937-4575.
Can I operate my fireplace without the mesh screen in place?
For safety reasons, Perfection highly recommends that the mesh screen always
be in place when burning your gas fireplace. While in operation, the glass panel
of the fireplace gets extremely hot. The mesh screen helps to prevent burns if
the fireplace is touched and, in the rare case that the fireplace glass breaks,
the safety mesh screen will contain the glass inside the fireplace.
My mantel gets very hot while my gas fireplace is burning. Is this normal?
It is normal for the fireplace mantel or decorative surround to get very hot
to the touch when burning a gas fireplace. If the mantel is installed with the
proper clearance from the fireplace, the heat produced from the fireplace should
not damage the mantel. Fireplace manufacturers do recommend that highly flammable
materials, such as draperies or furniture not be placed near the gas fireplace.
If you are concerned about your mantel temperature while burning your fireplace,
you may have the option to add a fan kit. A fan kit is installed under the fireplace
and blows the hot air, produced by the fireplace, out into the room. Not only
does a fan kit reduce the temperature of the mantel or decorative surround, it
also helps to distribute the heat throughout the room.
If you would like more information on the safety of your fireplace or fan
kit options, contact us at 713-937-4575 or EMAIL
US.
Can I replace the brass trim on my direct vent fireplace for some other color?
Based on the age of the unit, some manufacturers do offer replacement trim
fronts and hoods. Some units are too old and there are no replacement parts available.
Contact our sales department with your fireplace model number and serial number
and we can advise you of your options. If you cannot find the model number or
serial number of your fireplace, call us at 713-937-4575 or EMAIL
US and we will
help you determine what kind of fireplace you have.
How do I open my fireplace damper?
In order to safely operate your woodburning fireplace, the flue damper must
be fully open. If the damper is not fully open, smoke and carbon monoxide
from the fire will vent into your home. To open the damper, locate the lever at the
top of the inside of your fireplace. Depending on your fireplace model, the lever
will either shift from side to side or up and down to open your damper.
There is another control lever in my fireplace besides my damper. What is
this?
The second handle you may find in your fireplace (usually located on the left
inside panel) is a control lever for the outside air kit. When burning your fireplace,
the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position. The
outside air kit is designed to provide additional air for combustion.
What are some tips for burning real wood in my fireplace?
First, make sure your fireplace damper is fully open. If the damper
is not fully open, smoke and carbon monoxide from the fire will vent into your
home. Also, it is important that you not “over-fire” your fireplace. The first fires
in your new woodburning fireplace should be small.
If your fireplace has a gas starter, preheat the flue before arranging the
logs on the grate. To do this, light a long match or lighter and set it just
above the holes in the gas starter. Next, turn on the gas valve (located on the
wall on either side of your fireplace). The gas should ignite in a few seconds.
If your match or lighter goes out before the gas ignites, turn off the gas, wait
a few minutes and start the procedure over. Once the fire ignites in the fireplace,
let it burn for about 10 to 15 minutes to preheat your flue. After the flue is
preheated, turn off your gas and arrange your logs on the fireplace grate--leaving
sufficient space between them for combustion air to flow properly. Once your
logs are arranged, relight your gas starter as described above to start your
wood fire. Once the wood is lit and the fire is burning to your satisfaction,
turn off the gas at the gas valve.
If you fireplace does not have a gas starter, arrange kindling (small diameter
sticks) in a crisscross pattern on top of crumpled newspaper under the grate
before arranging logs. Next, arrange split logs on the grate leaving sufficient
space between them for combustion air to flow properly. Using a match or a lighter,
ignite the crumpled newspaper. Enjoy your fire.
While your fire is burning, always keep the wire-mesh screen on your fireplace
closed. If your fireplace is equipped with glass doors, leave them fully open
when starting your fire. After the wood fire is burning well, the doors may be
closed. NOTE: When burning wood in fireplaces equipped with glass doors, the
doors should be either fully opened or fully closed. If the doors are left partially
open, gas and flame may be drawn out of the fireplace opening creating a safety
hazard.
My real wood fire will not stay lit. What should I do?
First, make sure the fireplace flue damper is fully open. If the damper
is not fully open, smoke and carbon monoxide from the fire will vent into your
home. To open the damper, locate the lever at the top of the inside of your fireplace.
Depending on your fireplace model, the lever will either shift from side to side
or up and down to open your damper.
If your wood fire does not stay lit after the gas is turned off, your wood
may be too green to burn or may need to be split into smaller pieces. For best
results, use oak, maple, hickory, or similar hardwoods. The wood should be dry
and aged nine months to a year before use.
If the wood you are burning is not the problem, make sure all of the air handing
systems (heating / air conditioning, fans, etc.) in your home are turned off
when burning your fire. Also, some woodburning fireplaces have a lever to open
or close the outside air vent to the fireplace. If your fireplace has this lever
(usually located on the left inside panel) make sure the outside air vent is
in the open (or up) position. The outside air kit is designed to provide additional
air for combustion.
How do I know which size gas logs will fit in my fireplace?
Measuring the fireplace via the linked instruction sheet will help your sales
representative guide you to proper-sized gas logs for your fireplace: How to
Measure Your Fireplace for Gas Logs.
What is the difference in vented and un-vented gas logs?
Vented gas logs are designed to be used in a vented, woodburning fireplace,
whether metal pre-fabricated or full masonry, with the damper in the full open
position. When using vented gas logs, 100% of the exhaust from the fire is directed
up the flue system and out of the house.
Un-vented gas logs are designed to be used in a full masonry fireplace with
the damper partially open or fully shut, or in a rated un-vented pre-fabricated
fireplace. Un-vented gas logs are built to burn clean because, in most cases,
100% of the exhaust from the fire goes into the living area of your home. All
un-vented gas logs come equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor for safety.
Please note, due to city code, un-vented gas logs are not permitted to be installed
in the City of Houston.
I want glass doors for my fireplace, what do I need to know?
The first thing we need to know is if your fireplace is a metal pre-fabricated
fireplace, or a full brick masonry fireplace.
If your fireplace is a metal pre-fabricated type, we need to get a manufacturer
name and model number from the fireplace. You can find the model number by looking
at your operation manual, or looking inside the fireplace (usually on the metal
front at the top of the unit). If your fireplace was installed by Perfection,
we can look up the model number by getting your home address. Once we have the
information on the fireplace you own, we can tell you what the glass door options
are for your fireplace. PLEASE NOTE: The use of any glass door on your pre-fabricated
fireplace that is not specifically manufactured for your fireplace can be a safety
hazard and will void the warranty on your fireplace.
If your fireplace is a masonry type, we regret that we do not carry glass
doors for that type of fireplace.
Can I burn my gas logs with my glass doors closed?
No. In order for the fire exhaust to draw properly out of your fireplace flue,
glass doors should always be fully open when burning gas logs.
I have gas logs installed in my fireplace, why can’t I close my damper?
Per manufacturer specifications, a damper clip is required on all fireplaces
that have been equipped with gas logs. The damper clip locks the damper in the
open position at all times. This is done as a safety precaution to prevent gases
produced by your fire from entering your home. With gas logs there is no smoke
produced and therefore no indicator that the damper is closed, causing a potentially
hazardous situation.
|
