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How to Start a Fire in Your Gas Fireplace or Stove

Turning on gas fireplace using control panel remote

There is no feeling quite like relaxing in front of a cozy fireplace on the coldest winter nights. Adding a fireplace into your home adds an extra sense of comfort and  a touch of classic design. Many families prefer installing a gas fireplace over other styles due to their low energy cost, as well as how easy they are to clean and maintain. To learn more about the different methods of properly starting a fire in your gas stove or fireplace, read on.

Steps to Take Before Turning On Your Gas Fireplace

Before attempting to start a fire in your gas stove or fireplace, it is important to properly prepare the room to keep your home safe. All flammable objects, materials, and wall hangings must be placed at least 3 feet away from the appliance to avoid a potential fire catching. In the case of a fire, you want to be sure that all of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working. Finally, and most importantly, you must make sure that all vents are opened and properly functioning to allow any toxins or smoke to escape your chimney. If you have not used your fireplace in an extended period of time and are not sure if it is safe to light, read our blog to learn the best steps to take, or contact us for a consultation. New England Hearth & Home offers expert annual inspections to catch any potential hazards and make any necessary repairs.

Method One: Using a Control Panel to Start Your Gas Fireplace

When operating a control panel to start up your gas fireplace or stove, the main idea is to begin by igniting the pilot light. When looking at the panel, there will be three choices; “on,” “off,” and “pilot.” To begin lighting, turn the knob towards the “pilot” position, which will start the flow of gas to your fireplace. Next, hold down the ignition button to light the flame. If the flame is continuing to burn after 30 seconds, you may release the button, turn the knob into the “on” position, and enjoy the warm glow. Depending on how long it has been since you last used your fireplace, it may take several attempts to press on the ignition button before success.

Method Two: Igniting Your Gas Fireplace or Stove with a Key Valve

Certain models of gas fireplaces will include a decorate slot and hex key that allows for simple ignition. Usually, the valve is located immediately next to your fireplace, or directly underneath on the floor. To begin, use a long lighter or lit match to ignite the burner while simultaneously turning the key into the slot. You should hear the hiss of gas as it begins to flow to your fireplace. Once the pilot light is lit, you can remove the light or match and use the hex key to control the height of the flames to your desire.

Method Three: Operating a Wall Switch to Light Your Gas Fireplace

More modern styles of gas fireplaces or stoves will include the installation of a wall switch or remote to control your appliance. Being the most simple and straightforward of all the methods, to start your fireplace you only need to follow the directional buttons on your control. You should be able to turn your fireplace on or off and adjust the height of the flames. Since these controls often are connected to your home’s main power supply, please note your fireplace will not work if there is a power outage.

What to Do If Your Gas Fireplace Doesn’t Start

There can be a number of reasons why you might be unsuccessful while trying to ignite your gas fireplace or stove. One of the more common problems is that the pilot light might be malfunctioning. You could also be running too much power through your circuit, causing a lack of energy running through your fireplace. In either of these cases, you might have to attempt to light it manually, or call a professional for further assistance. New England Hearth & Home offers year-round appointments for fireplace inspections, cleaning services, and repairs. Visit our website to learn more about our fireplace troubleshooting services and how to keep your fireplace running safely.

Contact Us for Gas Fireplace Maintenance, Installation, & Removal in Canton, MA

Taking the time to properly ignite a fire in your gas fireplace or stove is important for keeping it running safely and smoothly for many years to come. Due to their simple maintenance and low energy cost, gas fireplaces are very popular among households. By following these steps to start a fire in your appliance, you can enjoy even the coldest nights by staying toasty in your home. Call us today at (781) 562-0771 if you are looking to install a new gas fireplace or stove into your home, or if you are looking to clean your current appliance.

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Outdoor Furniture Trends for Spring 2021

outdoor patio with furniture

This past year has been unlike others, and the inability to travel had us all craving nature and the outdoors more strongly than ever before. We saw a massive increase in families creating spaces in their home that resemble the places around the world they love the most. For most people, this meant creating outdoor spaces that were comfortable, functional and stylish. There’s no need to escape to a new city when you can escape to your very own backyard.

With travel still suspended for most, we expect these trends to continue into 2021, as work from home continues and people adapt their homes to their new lifestyles.  People are looking to bring the tropical vacation vibes to their homes once again for spring and summer.

Outdoor Fire Pits

In the summer, outdoor firepits become the perfect night time escape to gather with friends or family. Not only do they provide much needed heat at night, but they also provide a much needed space for outdoor gatherings. Outdoor fire pits can also provide more structure to your patio or outdoor area. They can be found in a wide variety of styles and materials to complement the design language of your home, patio or backyard area. These fire pits help bring the feeling of a fancy vacation to your living space!

Comfort Over Everything

Another trend we are seeing is that basic furniture like plastic chairs or even wire benches just aren’t cutting it anymore. Those who are working at home or just spending more time than usual at home are investing in more comfortable chairs with larger cushions. Whether you’re looking to get some work done outside and need some sunshine in your WFH routine or want to catch the sunset after a productive day, better furniture can help you enjoy your time outside to the fullest.

Tile Patios

Tile patios are an emerging trend that can bring a lot of color and energy into your backyard living area, depending on the tile pattern you choose of course. This is another great example of people really looking for change in scenery while staying put. The right tile choice can be not only very stylish but also quite durable. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

Are you looking to spice up your backyard living space? We offer custom fire pits design and installation that can offer style, warmth and a great change of pace to your backyard area! Please give us a call at (781)562-0771 or contact us here.

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Converting a Wood Fireplace to Gas

gas fireplace

Having a wood fireplace is great, but many homeowners are making the switch to gas. Wood fireplaces require a fair amount of upkeep, and you will spend a lot of money on wood. Lucky for you, making the switch to gas will not require you to get a whole new fireplace. Here are the benefits of switching to gas in your fireplace:

Cleaner Air and Home

Soot tends to get everywhere when you light a fire in your wood fireplace. If you don’t have proper ventilation, soot can get on walls and objects to create a sticky grease. Wood fireplaces also tend to release toxins into the air as well as pollutants. These include benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. When you switch to a gas fireplace, you won’t have to worry about soot or debris, so your air will be a lot cleaner.

Energy Efficiency

Gas fireplaces are more environmentally conscious. They are created to mimic a wood fireplace but are manufactured with energy-efficient materials and technology. You will get a lot more energy from the fuel as heat, about 75 – 98%. Wood fireplaces do not get more than 30%. This is way better than wood fireplaces, which run at around 30 percent efficiency because they waste about two-thirds of their heat up the chimney.

Safety

When you have a fireplace in your home, there is always a risk for danger. When you have a gas fireplace installed by our professionals, you’ll find it to be a lot safer than a wood fireplace. Gas fireplaces have a system for safety shutoff, which can prevent gas leaks. When the fireplace is on and in use, the gas levels stay stable so that the flames do not get too big. Wood fireplaces are more prone to accidents, but it is still essential to make sure gas fireplaces are properly vented.

Easy to Use

Gas fireplaces are way easier to use than wood. Gas can be started with the touch of a button, rather than having to light logs and keep the flame going. If you are looking for a simple fireplace option, converting to gas is the way to go! Although gas still requires some work from time to time, try to make the switch. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

The fireplace experts at New England Hearth & Home are here to help you choose the best fireplace options for your home. We can help convert your existing wood fireplace to gas! Contact us to learn more about our services and repairs. Call us today or send us a message through our contact form to get in touch with our experts.

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Signs That Your Chimney Needs To Be Cleaned

When something like a car has issues, you typically know right away. When it’s something like your chimney, you may have difficulty noticing if there is a problem. It’s that time of year again where fireplaces will be in full force. Your chimney must be in perfect shape to keep you and your home safe. Here are some ways to tell if your chimney needs to be cleaned:

Buildup of Creosote

If you burn a fire and notice a weird smell, it could be creosote buildup in your chimney. This smell can still be noticeable even after you think you cleaned the fireplace, it’s something to do with the chimney. Creosote is a by-product of burning fires in your fireplace, and it should be cleaned every year – especially if you are an avid user of your fireplace. Moisture from the logs burning will travel up the chimney and stick to the walls. 

Animal Entry

Birds and other smaller animals get into chimneys more often than you think. This can happen when your chimney cap isn’t shut or when you don’t have one at all. Small animals can easily get in, but they have a tough time getting out. Chimneys are the perfect place for birds and animals to live and start families. If you sense a weird smell coming from your fireplace, you may need to have it cleaned out for animals. A lot of the time, you will even find dead animals in there. It’s sad, but it happens often.

Excess Smoke In Your Fireplace

If you have a lot of smoke when you burn a fire, that can be a sign to have your chimney cleaned. Excess smoke can signal that there is a blockage somewhere in the chimney. It can also mean the opening in the chimney is clogged by grime, soot, or creosote. Your chimney won’t be as effective unless you get it cleaned out.

Soot

If you have a lot of black material in your fireplace, that could be soot. Soot is what happens before creosote forms. Soot isn’t too hard to clean out of a fireplace, but you definitely should get it done before a long winter of use. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

New England Hearth & Home is here to help you with all things fireplace! We can take care of your yearly cleaning and any other maintenance on your fireplace. Contact us to talk to one of our experts about anything you need to be done to your fireplace. Call us today or fill out our online request form to get in touch.