Preparing your Gas Fireplace for Summer

Gas fireplaces can be more user-friendly than traditional wood burning fireplaces, but they are not maintenance-free. Gas fireplace maintenance should be completed by the start of summer to allow you to turn off your pilot (which will save you money). Get it ready for next winter.

How to Prepare Your Gas Fireplace For Summer

Step 1: Turn off the pilot light

Turning off the pilot light is an important part of summer maintenance on gas fireplaces. It will save you time and help keep your fireplace in top working order.

There’s no need to charge for the pilot to be lit during summer. Although it may not seem like much, the cost of maintaining the pilot light can quickly add up. Turning off the pilot light can help you save $50-150 each summer.

Not only is it costly, but the pilot light can cause buildup on your fireplace’s glass. Although gas fireplaces are subject to buildup, it is not unusual for them to have more. This is the most important step in preparing your gas fireplace to be ready for summer.

Step 2: Clean the fireplace glass

As I said, building up is normal when you own a gas fireplace. It’s the best time to get rid of any creosote buildup that may have occurred over the winter months.

It’s temporary, but don’t be discouraged!

As a safety precaution, make sure the pilot light is turned off before you start cleaning. Let the glass cool completely before you clean it. It is possible for the glass to shatter if it is still hot. Avoid using abrasive cleaners to clean fireplace glass. This could cause it to shatter.

Find out how to clean your fireplace glass.

Step 3: Clean the Fireplace Insert

Dust and other debris can build up over the years in your fireplace insert. We recommend that you maintain your gas fireplaces every year to keep them in top condition for many years.

Clean the logs and take out the glass. Be careful not to scratch the glass when removing it. The integrity of the glass could be compromised by a scratch. Place it on a smooth, scratch-proof surface like a towel. Vacuum the fireplace and clean it.

Check for leaks in the pilot assembly valves. Get your winter started right! Do not wait until winter to discover if you have a broken or leaking valve.

Add new embers. You can keep your fireplace looking brand new every year by replacing the embers.

Reassemble the glass by cleaning the glass (see step 2) Clean your fireplace with glass.

Fireplace inserts can accumulate dirt and dust in some places including the artificial wood grain. You should ensure that your fireplace looks great by cleaning it every summer.

These steps will help you prepare the gas fireplace for warm weather. You can keep it looking fantastic all year and reduce your utility bills. Fireplace maintenance can be messy and can cause damage if not done correctly.