Need help figuring out gas fireplace please

[scottie]

Well we moved into a home with a gas fireplace (always had good old fashioned log fireplaces before) on the lower level. I can get the gas on and the flames lit with a match, but I am clueless on the vent situation and a power feature.
As for venting, there is a large vent on the top inside of the fireplace that opens and closes and vents up the stack and exits above the roof line. There is also a small vent that can be opened on the left upper inside of the fireplace. I am not sure which of these needs to be opened when using the gas fireplace, if any.
There is also a switch on the wall to the right of the fireplace and when I turn it on it sounds like some sort of motor is running inside of the fireplace unit somewhere. I assumed it was to pull hot air out of the fireplace and blow it into the room, but it sure doesn’t feel like it is doing that when running. Any ideas what it is for?

 

[goofyernmost]

They both need to be open. The top vent, like when you use a wood source is to vent the smoke and gases out. I am not familiar with the smaller vent but it might be part of the gas system because a gas fire doesn't need that large an escape area. Having a smaller vent would save up the chimney heat loss. In other words you might not need to open the big vent.

The switch is to the "heatalator". That is a fan built into the fireplace. When the firebox heats up the fan will blow warm air out into the room so you don't have to rely on radiation only. There should be some vents on the front of the fireplace structure on one or both sides of the firebox to exhaust the heated air into the room. You don't need the fan, the heat will radiate anyway, but the fan will give it a little boost. It might not be a lot, so you might not be able to feel much difference.

The best way to be sure is to call whatever company is supplying the gas for the fireplace. If it's natural gas call them, if it's propane call them...they have trained people that can identify all the parts of the unit. It is the safest way to go. If you don't vent the gases out properly carbon monoxide will enter your living area and can cause death. Don't take any chances. Call them.

 

[scottie]

They both need to be open. The top vent, like when you use a wood source is to vent the smoke and gases out. I am not familiar with the smaller vent but it might be part of the gas system because a gas fire doesn't need that large an escape area. Having a smaller vent would save up the chimney heat loss. In other words you might not need to open the big vent.

The switch is to the "heatalator". That is a fan built into the fireplace. When the firebox heats up the fan will blow warm air out into the room so you don't have to rely on radiation only. There should be some vents on the front of the fireplace structure on one or both sides of the firebox to exhaust the heated air into the room. You don't need the fan, the heat will radiate anyway, but the fan will give it a little boost. It might not be a lot, so you might not be able to feel much difference.

The best way to be sure is to call whatever company is supplying the gas for the fireplace. If it's natural gas call them, if it's propane call them...they have trained people that can identify all the parts of the unit. It is the safest way to go. If you don't vent the gases out properly carbon monoxide will enter your living area and can cause death. Don't take any chances. Call them.

Thanks for the great info! I will give the natural gas company a call to see if they can help me out with the nitty gritty. I did try just using the small vent today and it seemed to allow to much gas smell into the room, so I may be stuck loosing some heat out of the larger top vent... but time will tell.

 

[golfgal]

You shouldn't have to light the fireplace with a match-that is actually dangerous. There is probably a switch somewhere on the fireplace that will let it be turned on by the wall switch. You could look your model up on the internet and see if you can find the owner's manual.

It takes about 15 minutes for our fan to kick in on our fireplace, it has to get hot enough for the fan to blow out the warm air. It also stays on after we turn off the fireplace until it cools to the right temp.

 

[scottie]

You shouldn't have to light the fireplace with a match-that is actually dangerous. There is probably a switch somewhere on the fireplace that will let it be turned on by the wall switch. You could look your model up on the internet and see if you can find the owner's manual.

It takes about 15 minutes for our fan to kick in on our fireplace, it has to get hot enough for the fan to blow out the warm air. It also stays on after we turn off the fireplace until it cools to the right temp.

There is defiantly not an igniter switch, just a switch for the fan. The unit was likely installed around the time the house was built, so about 15 or so years ago. I guess they didn’t have that technology standard back then maybe? When we moved in, there was a pack of long matches on the mantle, so I guess the former owners used them too.

The fan for this unit appears to only work manually, since the switch on the wall must be turned on and off to control the unit.

 

[Hercules10]

Depends on your gas log set. Some are "Vent Free" and the top vent (or flu) can be closed. Typically if the flames don't touch the fake logs or create "glowing embers" then it is vent free. But vent-free gas-logs also need something to keep the mantle from getting too hot since all that heat goes directly up the front of the fireplace.

The gas-logs that need venting only need a portion of the flu open. You should be able to get a "Flu-lock" at Home Depot or the like. Mine looked like a little pickle fork with a large screw in the middle. Keeps the flu/vent open just slightly.

The smaller vent on the left corner is to provide fresh air to the fire. It should just lead to a small duct on the outside.

No clue what the switch is for although it does sound like some sort of circulation device.

If you prefer, and the set-up allows it, you could take out the gas-logs. Cap the gas pipe and put in a regular grate for old fashion logs.

Good Luck!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I used to live in a house with a gas fireplace that needed a match also. Scared me each time.

New house has the switch and the heatilator thing. Much easier.

 

[scottie]

Depends on your gas log set. Some are "Vent Free" and the top vent (or flu) can be closed. Typically if the flames don't touch the fake logs or create "glowing embers" then it is vent free. But vent-free gas-logs also need something to keep the mantle from getting too hot since all that heat goes directly up the front of the fireplace.

The gas-logs that need venting only need a portion of the flu open. You should be able to get a "Flu-lock" at Home Depot or the like. Mine looked like a little pickle fork with a large screw in the middle. Keeps the flu/vent open just slightly.

The smaller vent on the left corner is to provide fresh air to the fire. It should just lead to a small duct on the outside.

No clue what the switch is for although it does sound like some sort of circulation device.

If you prefer, and the set-up allows it, you could take out the gas-logs. Cap the gas pipe and put in a regular grate for old fashion logs.

Good Luck!

I guess we do not have the vent free type, because the flames touch the logs (go thru some holes in them) and there is some material that lights below the logs to simulate glowing embers I presume.
I will be checking into that flu-lock opton, thanks for the tip!