The short answer is this: gas fireplaces that are fully vented and have safely and properly sealed glass fronts are fine to be left alone to run continuously.

Can you sleep with gas fireplace on?

There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you sleep in a room where a conventional coal or gas fire, a log burner, a cooker, or a back burner is left on overnight. You cannot feel the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, so it is important that you protect yourself.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?

Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. … An improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace can create incomplete combustion, creating carbon monoxide, and causing this toxic gas to linger—putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Is it OK to leave fireplace on overnight?

Never leave your burning fireplace unattended. … Carbon monoxide is a furtive toxin, so fireplace safety warrants awareness of this compound. The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight.

Are fumes from gas fireplace harmful?

Gas fireplaces are generally considered cleaner than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, but they can also pollute indoor air quality if not properly vented. Toxic gasses emitted include deadly carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide — a gas particularly harmful to those with asthma.

Is it OK to leave the pilot light on in a gas fireplace?

We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace’s pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”.

Can gas fireplaces explode?

Although convenient, these home gas fireplaces pose significant risk of explosions and house fires if they are improperly installed or maintained. Gas Fireplace leaks can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, but can also result in explosions that can level an entire neighborhood block.

How do I know if my gas fire is leaking carbon monoxide?

1. You see black, sooty marks on the front covers of gas fires.
2. There is heavy condensation built up at the windowpane where the appliance is installed.
3. Sooty or yellow/brown stains on or around boilers, stoves, or fires.
4. Smoke building up in rooms.

Can a gas fireplace cause a fire?

Yes, fireplaces are capable of starting a house fire! … Gas fireplaces use different venting than wood burning units. Wood fireplaces burn much hotter than gas units, reaching 2,000 degrees. This level of heat can ignite other combustible material located near the fireplace.

Can I shut the flue on my gas fireplace?

As a general rule, if you have a gas log fireplace, you should never close your flue when in operation. … The reasoning is because when gas fireplaces have access to fuel, they can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that may prove fatal to its users if not properly vented.

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Should you open a window when you have a fire in the fireplace?

Open a window when using the fireplace to prevent the room from becoming smoky. … The window needs to be open only a few inches. You can check to make sure the smoke will go up the chimney properly by lighting a match, quickly blowing it out and watching the smoke to see whether it’s going up and out.

How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning?

If the carbon monoxide concentration in the air is much higher, signs of poisoning may occur within 1-2 hours. A very high carbon monoxide concentration can even kill an exposed individual within 5 minutes.

Do you need ventilation for gas fireplace?

Traditional gas fireplaces, like their wood-burning cousins, require an exhaust flue (vent) to remove harmful fumes from the home. When possible, an existing chimney is used to run a new flue, but in a home without a chimney, the high cost to install venting can sideline the project permanently.

How long can you leave a gas fireplace running?

In short, you really shouldn’t let a gas fireplace on for too long—specifically more than three hours at a time.

Why does my gas fireplace make a banging noise when I turn it off?

Yes, a gas log system that makes a clicking or ticking sound when the burner is lit or turned off is typically caused by the metal shell around the gas logs contracting as it cools down. If the noise is excessive, then you will want to contact a qualified service technician.

What causes fireplace to explode?

A highly flammable substance, creosote is formed by unburned gases found in wood smoke. … Never throw water into the fireplace or stove during a creosote fire. The inrushing oxygen will suck the water up the flue and the sudden change in temperature may cause the chimney or stove to explode from the steam.

Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?

Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.

Does a pilot light produce carbon monoxide?

A yellow or orange pilot light will produce carbon monoxide – an odourless, colourless gas that can fill your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

Are gas fires safe?

Gas fireplaces are far safer than their wood-burning counterparts—no matches, no smoke, no sparks, no backdrafts, no soot—but that doesn’t mean owners should ignore basic precautions.

When should I close my flue gas fireplace?

The damper is designed to be shut when the fireplace is not in use and can be easily opened when it is. It’s common to forget to close the damper after a fire goes out, however, and that leaves a big hole through which heated or cooled air can escape the house.

Can my phone detect carbon monoxide?

The Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems Checklist mobile app inspects Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems using an iPad, iPhone, Android device, or a Windows desktop.

Can gas fireplaces cause headaches?

#3 The smell of burning gas The smell of burning gas can cause sensitivity, headaches, and other issues in some people. This can especially be the case with vent-free gas logs. These types of logs don’t have a chimney or vent to remove the fumes produced by the fire, so the smell is typically stronger.

Do gas fireplaces leak gas?

Gas fireplace logs provide a mess-free way to enjoy a warm, blazing fire on a cold winter night. The logs connect to a gas supply line at the side of the fireplace and run on either natural gas or propane. While gas logs typically function properly for years, like all gas appliances they can develop leaks.

Should I keep the glass doors closed on my gas fireplace?

The doors should always be fully open or fully closed. … The glass doors should be closed as the fire dies down to minimize the amount of room air going up the fireplace chimney. When burning gas logs in a wood-burning fireplace, the glass doors should always be fully open when the gas logs are burning.

Do you have to open the damper on a gas fireplace?

The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. The glass between the firebox and your home prevents cold or heat from coming down the chimney and by leaving the damper open at all times, you eliminate the risk of having gas build up or backdraft into your home.

Is a damper and flue the same thing?

A damper is located in the flue of your chimney. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is going. Dampers are placed inside of the flue to help control ventilation. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.

Do you need to crack a window with gas fireplace?

Burning gas can deplete the oxygen in your home. If you burn your vent-free logs for more than an hour, crack a window open to replace the oxygen. Better still, limit your use of your vent-free gas fireplace to no more than a few hours at a stretch.

How do you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from a fireplace?

Tips for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning: Always open dampers before using your fireplace. Do not use generators indoors. Space heaters should only be used in well-ventilated areas. At least once annually, hire a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney.

Can you pour water on a fireplace?

Otherwise, you should avoid using water. Putting out your fireplace fire with water often causes excessive smoke and can result in steam burns. Additionally, it can damage the masonry with cracking and heaving.

Can opening a window stop carbon monoxide poisoning?

If it’s in your bedroom, you’ve got problems, whether you have a window slightly open or not. Rule Number 1. If the CO detector alarms, evacuate the home! Just because you have a window open does NOT mean that carbon monoxide will head for the window and leave your bedroom.

Will cracking a window help with carbon monoxide?

Of course, you will want to create great ventilation in your home, however, opening a window will not completely get rid of carbon monoxide. The goal is to open more than one window in order to provide proper ventilation in your home and reduce the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.