A gas fireplace can make any home feel a bit more cozy and welcoming. However, it’s very important to make sure you’re using your fireplace safely. It can feel tempting running your gas fireplace all day long when it’s chilly outside, but this can come with some safety risks. In general, you shouldn’t leave your gas fireplace on for more than three hours.
However, there are a few different types of gas fireplaces on the market, each with their own safety concerns. Here’s what to consider when running your gas log fireplace.
Gas Fireplace InsertsGas fireplace inserts are modern units that you can put into an existing fireplace space in your home. These units are very safe and are designed to run for an extended period of time. They are vented with a pipe that runs through your chimney, so any exhaust and fumes end up outdoors. However, the glass door on the front of the insert must be sealed completely shut.
These units are popular for homes that don’t have an existing fireplace and chimney. They have a vent installed into a wall on the side of your home. Much like a fireplace insert, this directs the exhaust outdoors, so you can run the fireplace continuously as long as it is properly sealed.
As the name implies, these fireplaces do not have a vent. A vent-free fireplace keeps heat in, but can come with some additional safety risks because the exhaust isn’t vented out. Because of these safety risks, you should only use these fireplaces for three hours or less.
No matter what type of fireplace you have, you shouldn’t run it overnight. If no one is monitoring your fireplace, the fire could get out of control quickly and cause an accident. If you’ve been running your fireplace during the day, turn the gas off and make sure the flue is open before you go to bed to ensure carbon monoxide and other leakage ends up outdoors.
What happens if you run a gas fireplace too long?There are a few things that can happen if you leave your gas fireplace on for too long. House fires are a possibility, especially if your fireplace isn’t properly monitored. Running your fireplace for too long can also cause a gas leak. While it’s rare, some fireplaces emit carbon monoxide, which can be very dangerous for you and your family. Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors in the same room as your fireplace for safety.
Regular chimney inspections can help prevent safety issues with your gas fireplace. At Chimney Solutions, our CSIA-certified team of chimney sweeps can help you catch issues before they happen. Give us a call at 770-255-1300 or contact us here to learn more about our chimney maintenance services.
