Checklist: Seven Steps to Prepare Your Gas Fireplace for Winter

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a warm crackling fire in the fall or winter – especially if all you have to do is push a button on your remote to start that fire up. That’s the convenience you get when you install a propane hearth in your Delmarva home.

If you already have a propane fireplace, propane inserts or propane log set, then congratulations! You’ve got a living room centerpiece, an efficient space heater, and a power outage-proof source of heat in one beautiful, easy-to-use package. But your propane hearth only gets to play all of those roles if it is working properly.

Here are seven things you should do before you fire up your propane hearth for the first time in autumn 2018:

• Review manufacturer’s materials – 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. PLEASE NOTE: If your owner’s manual includes different guidelines than the ones we list below, please follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
• Clear the fireplace vent – Debris that blocks your fireplace vent should be removed before it can create a fire or carbon monoxide risk in your home. Clear away any cobwebs, sticks and leaves, along with any pests that have found a home in your vent.
• Check the glass on your fireplace insert – If you have a glass-covered propane fireplace insert, check it for cracks or chips; the glass casing helps contain carbon monoxide emissions.
• Clean your log set – The ceramic logs in your propane fireplace log set can become dusty in the offseason. While this dust doesn’t create a hazard, it could cause an unpleasant burning smell when you start a fire.

  Two important things to remember when cleaning your propane log set:

  • Always make sure your propane gas valve is closed before doing any work on your gas fireplace.
  • 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 remove them to remember how they are positioned.

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

• Dust off the blower – If your fireplace inserts 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 require 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 are coming to Delmarva – 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 Delaware or Maryland service areas.