This can continue after the fireplace is switched on for the first few minutes. These fireplaces have dedicated gas supplies that they use for fuel. If you suspect you have a natural gas leak, leave your house and call for help. If you smell gas near your fireplace, this is also a cause for concern. If it is, then the problem may be with the pilot light or thermocouple.If your pilot light is out, you can try relighting it following the instructions in your owners manual. Are Gas Fireplace Fumes Toxic? Avoid placing anything flammable, like furniture, paper products or wood, close to the firebox or up against the glass safety barrier. Once that happens, she says, the muscles in your airways can tighten and make it harder to breathe. Easy StepContinue, Nowadays, Gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts are widely preferred among most modern homeowners since these fireplaces generate relatively less soot, creosote, and smoke than, Read More Is Black Soot from Gas Fireplace Dangerous?Continue, Its high time to reuse, whether youve just relocated to a new home or decided to replace an older fireplace without having touched it for, Read More Can I Use A Gas Fireplace That Hasnt Been Used In Years?Continue, A gas fireplace can ease the cold winter and can be a beautiful addition to your house. By Evelyn Auer | Published Oct 28, 2022 3:31 PM. Check the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector. On the other hand, it can still create by-products as it burns. If it is, then the problem may be with the thermocouple. Here are some tips for maintaining your gas fireplace: 1. [Cause & Fix]Continue. Unfortunately, they do. Some are, however. Gas Fireplace Wont Stay Lit But Pilot Stays on, 4 Common Electric Furnace Problems & Their Solutions. Are you smelling a damp, musty smell from your fireplace? Ventless fireplaces undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet federal safety and health standards. If smoke suddenly builds up in the room where the fireplace is installed. You can hear a hissing sound near your fireplace. Inspect the gas line annually. The smell of burning gas can cause sensitivity, headaches, and other issues in some people. Can you clean the inside of a gas fireplace? A stench of rotten eggs or a gas odor permeates the home. This, in turn, can lead to COPD or cause COPD symptoms to flare up. If it goes off, shut off the fireplace, open doors and a couple windows, and clear the house. The first thing you should do is check to make sure that the pilot light is lit. As a result, you get perfect heat output and flame effects to warm up the room. This is a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself if you have some basic handyman skills.Another possibility is that there is a blockage in the flue or chimney. This should dissipate quickly. Your model may indicate a specific clearance zone in its manual. To clean the pilot light tube, simply remove it from the fireplace and use a paperclip or wire to clear any debris from the opening. Moisture soaking into the masonry through cracks or pores can cause mildew and mold to develop. Here are some common issues that you may encounter: If your pilot light keeps going out, it could be due to a number of reasons. Either way, its best to call a professional to take a look and make any necessary adjustments. High levels of carbon monoxide in the air are very dangerous and may cause people to pass out or even die. Most people dont use their fireplace during warm seasons. This could be a sign of a serious problem with the unit and you should call a professional to have it inspected. Another danger sign is soot on the glass doors or on the surrounding walls. Gas fireplaces are generally considered cleaner than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, but they can also pollute indoor air quality if not properly vented. Even if there is no noticeable problem, experts recommend setting up a yearly inspection to correct any safety issues and extend the life of your fireplace. The biggest threat is fine particulate matter, which can aggravate asthma symptoms, cause heart attacks, stroke and heart failure, according to the EPA. Besides that, you can use a prolonged tube that can go up through the roof without getting in the way of other pipelines. Are Fumes From Gas Fireplaces Harmful? Once a year, inspect the condition of the ventless gas logs and replace any that are cracked, and clean them as recommended in your manual. Carbon monoxide is the main compound in the gas fireplace fumes. Remove everyone from the house, including pets, and wait outside for the services to arrive. Electric or solar are the ways to go. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from top-rated repair services near you. 8. Therefore, in this very article, I will try to explain how a Gas fireplace can become a real threat to your home safety and how you can prevent that situation. Reportedly, Gas fireplaces are potentially subject to emitting toxic gases such as Carbon monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide. 1. These fumes could lead to irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs, and could cause more severe allergic reactions for individuals with chemical sensitivities. Homeowners can consider having the fireplace regularly inspected to ensure the vents are clear and working properly. Make sure that your chimney is in good condition and is able to ventilate the gases properly. Richmond residents can now return to their homes days after a massive fire, city and county officials announced Sunday. This is a serious safety hazard and you should evacuate the area immediately and call your gas company. Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline . Whenever you use a gas appliance in your home, you run the risk that excess carbon monoxide will poison your family or that an untended gas flame will cause a fire. Gas stoves generate dangerous levels of indoor air pollution and leak climate-changing methane. This problem is usually caused by a dirty burner. Due to a lack of proper safety assurance during the setup and maintenance, Gas fireplaces can generate toxic fumes, which can be pretty harmful and dangerous. this could indicate that there are harmful gases present in the air around your fireplace. Yes, they are dangerous. Pilot Light Problems Indicate a Need for Propane Fireplace Maintenance. Can You Ignite Your Gas Fireplace with Key? Unfortunately, a smell coming from your gas fireplace could mean there is a gas leak, which can cause a house fire or even an explosion. Another option is an ethanol fireplace, also known as a bio or or bio-ethanol fireplace, which is ventless and runs on ethanol fuel. Keep your Gas fireplace turned off whenever it is not in use. Be sure to dry the glass completely after cleaning to prevent streaks. Besides cleaning your gas fireplace regularly, also perform a gas leak test once in a while. These chemicals can be harmful to your health if inhaled in large amounts. These may include hissing sounds, high gas bills, the smell of rotten eggs, or dying plants. Empire Tahoe Deluxe Direct-Vent Fireplace, ProComs Dual Fuel Propane and Natural Gas Fireplace Insert, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). This is a very common occurrence that can make the fireplace have an odor like smoke or burnt plastic. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Its a good idea to maintain the homes HVAC system and have it cleaned regularly to improve air quality. The ventless or natural B-vent gas fireplaces feature internal air supplies to provide oxygen to the fire, and typical vent or direct-vent models feature external air supplies to feed the fire. Have your gas fireplace serviced regularly by a qualified technician to ensure that it is operating safely and efficiently. A train carrying various toxic chemicals derailed Feb. 3 in Ohio, and a fire was ignited to prevent an explosion. You dont vent a ventless fireplace. Answer, How Do I Transfer My DJI Osmo Video To My Computer? 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Fireplace to Gas? Are Fumes from Gas Fireplaces Harmful? To fix this problem, youll need to seal the gaps with caulk or weatherstripping. Is a Gas Fireplace Less Dangerous Than a Wood Burning? While wood-burning models are the age-old standard, most of todays new fireplaces are fueled by gas, which eliminates the messy ashes and soot leftover from wood fires. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room. They are less expensive than electric fireplaces and don't make any smoke. 4 MAJOR Health Risks of Natural Gas and Propane in Your Home. While some homeowners may have concerns about whether a ventless gas fireplace is right for their home, improved technologies have made this type of fireplace safer than ever. General Security: Can a Gas Fireplace Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. If you already have a fireplace in a, Read More Gas Fireplace Blower Vs No Blower: Which One to Prefer?Continue, A gas fireplace creates a comfortable ambiance in your home and provides warmth and heat during the winter months. Yet not everyone is a fan of these newfangled fireplacesin fact, they are banned in some states. If The Pilot Light Goes Out, Does Gas Still Flow? According to a May 2020 review by the Rocky Mountain Institute, homes that use gas stoves have indoor air that is 2-5 times dirtier than outdoors. Is it normal for a gas fireplace to smell like gas? Use a soft cloth or sponge and warm, soapy water to clean the glass panel of your fireplace. When possible, an existing chimney is used to run a new flue, but . In fact, 1 ppm (part per million) of ethylene or carbon monoxide can cause serious damage. Clear out cobwebs and any visible, lingering dirt. However, if you take the necessary precautions, your gas fireplace should be safe to use. A steady, strong flame is . Anyone who has a gas fireplace should understand important safety practices. Toxic gasses emitted include deadly carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide a gas particularly harmful to those with asthma. Check with the manufacturer of your particular model for more specific recommendations. You can try this for the first time by lighting a gas fireplace for at least 12-14 hours. This is normal to experience the first time you light it up, after installation. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. The Internet has been aflame in recent days over gas stovesspecifically, over whether they are harmful to human health and can or should be banned in the U.S. The pilot light tube is the small metal tube that delivers gas to the pilot light. Continuous exposure to these molecules can cause inflammation and damage to your lungs. "They emit nitrogen dioxide, which is a respiratory irritant." The American Lung Association recommends using natural gas stoves and heaters instead of wood-burning fireplaces to heat your home or water. If your fireplace is producing a lot of smoke, its a sign that its not burning the gas properly. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. my theory is that the paint which is on the mantel is latex, giving it the "warmed plastic" odor that you get if plastic is melted. If you do find yourself near a gas fireplace while its in use, its best to avoid breathing in the fumes as much as possible. Leave it to the pros. Another common cause of a drafty fireplace is a chimney thats too tall. One of the most common danger signs is a yellow or orange flame. The main difference is that the smoke from a gas fireplace is invisible. Related: Is a Gas Fireplace Less Dangerous Than a Wood Burning? Additionally, the quality of the materials used in your gas fireplace will also affect its lifespan. Ventless fireplaces do not produce soot and. Frequently, check whether there is any existing sign of dust, dirt, or other debris at your fireplace base and if there is. Be sure to open the flue before lighting a fire in a gas fireplace. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Strange smells: If you smell something strange coming from your gas fireplace, it could be a sign of a gas leak. When burned, the gas emits a cluster of byproducts, many of which can be harmful. The glass and metal in a fireplace stay hot for quite a while afterward. To fix this problem, youll need to seal up any gaps around the fireplace that are letting in air. It should take an hour or less of burning for the bad smells to clear out, and your fireplace will smell normal again. Is Black Soot from Gas Fireplace Dangerous? However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you do choose to run your gas fireplace all day. Fireplaces and do n't make any necessary adjustments Wood, close to the pilot light Problems a... Avoid placing anything flammable, like furniture, paper products or Wood, close to the light. 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