Drip Loop:
moisture in the gas line can cause a failure in the drip loop
. This could be the reason why your fireplace won’t stay lit. Moisture can dilute the natural gas, so you’ll want to have a professional see if this is the problem at hand.
How do you fix a gas fireplace that keeps going out?
- Before You Begin: Is Your Pilot Light Lit Inside Fireplace?
- The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit.
- Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts.
- Don’t Replace Your Thermopile or Thermocouple Right Away.
- Cleaning the Thermopile.
- Re-test the Cleaned Thermopile.
Why does the gas fireplace keep shutting off?
It is a sensor that monitors the amount of oxygen that is in the room with the gas fireplace.
If it detects that there is not enough oxygen present
, its job is to turn off the fireplace. This is an important safety feature that protects you from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace?
Light the pilot and observe the quality and size of the flame
. It should be mostly blue, burn steadily and be large enough to engulf the thermocouple probe. If it’s yellow or orange, undersized and unsteady, the pilot tube is probably clogged, and it needs to be cleaned.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?
- Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. …
- Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe.
- Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple.
How long do gas fireplaces last?
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last? Generally speaking, you can get a good
ten to fifteen years
of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace.
What maintenance is required for a gas fireplace?
Even if you opt to clean the fireplace yourself, it’s still a requirement to have
an inspection
—yearly, at the very least. Inspections of a gas fireplace don’t take long to conduct and won’t break the bank. Your chimney should be cleaned annually, as well, to clear away any debris and nesting materials from animals.
How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube.
If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds
, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
How long does a thermocouple last on a gas fireplace?
Thermocouples can last
up to 10 years
if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
Can a thermocouple be cleaned?
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple
, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up.
What’s a thermocouple look like?
The thermocouple looks like
a piece of metal tubing smaller than a soda straw
. To find it, first locate the gas control box. This is the box that the main gas line enters, where you turn the gas on in the furnace. (On most furnaces, it also houses the button that you hold open or push to relight the pilot.)
What is a thermocouple and what does it do?
Thermocouples are
sensors used to measure temperature
. It is a device used inside a gas furnace in Kansas, to assist the pilot light in keeping your furnace running and safe. … A thermocouple consists of two wires, or wire legs, made from different metals.
How much is it to replace a thermocouple?
It costs
$150 to $250
to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
Do gas fireplaces need to be cleaned?
While gas fireplaces don’t produce creosote,
they do still need annual cleaning
. Both propane and natural gas are clean burning gas fuels, so they don’t produce the same byproducts as wood, but they can still produce buildup that needs to be cleaned away.
How much does it cost to replace gas fireplace?
Most units fall
between $400 and $4,000
when including basic installation prices — though costs can run much higher. Depending on the type of fireplace you choose, the total cost of installation can reach anywhere from $2,300-$10,000 at the high end.
How much does it cost to fix a gas fireplace?
Gas Fireplace Repair Cost
Repairing a gas fireplace typically costs
between $175 and $917
. Most homeowners pay between $160 to $820 for general fireplace repairs (regardless of fuel type) but prices could range from $90 all the way to $2,000 on the high end.
How often should you clean a gas log fireplace?
It is important to clean a gas fireplace
monthly
even when it is not being used heavily. This will prevent dust and dirt from harming mechanisms and allow you to inspect the system for damage.
What causes thermocouple failure?
METAL FATIGUE
Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break. … If thermocouples start to give out unusual readings, it may be suffering from metal fatigue.
How often should gas fireplace logs be replaced?
Q: How long do gas logs last? A: In the average home, a well-maintained vented log set with ceramic logs will last
10 or more years
. A well-maintained vent-free log set with ceramic logs can also last a long time, but, if heavily used, will begin to wear in 3-5 years.
How often should gas fireplace be serviced?
Most manufactures require annual service and inspection of your gas fireplace. We recommend
every year
for regular users and no more than 3 years for fireplaces that are rarely used.
How do you replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?
Procedure for Replacing a Thermocouple
Turn off the gas supply to the gas valve. Use the wrench to unscrew the connector that holds the thermocouple to the gas valve, then unhook the probe from its clip and pull out the entire thermocouple assembly.
Take the thermocouple to the hardware store to purchase a new
one.
Is it safe to keep pilot light on 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”.
How long will a thermocouple last?
In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been
close to one year
, was shortened to within a week.
How do you clean a thermocouple sensor?
The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either
a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge
to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. You can use a pencil eraser to clean between the threads of the screw that connects the thermocouple to the control valve of your system.
What causes a pilot light to go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include
loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers
, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s
easy to replace
and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
Can a thermocouple work intermittently?
In electrical circuits, the most unreliable points are electrical connections. So, if in a thermocouple circuit
any of the connections suffer from corrosion or lack of intimate metal-to-metal contact
, intermittent operation will result.
Will a pilot light on a thermocouple go bad?
A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner.
A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner
so the pilot light won’t stay lit.
How do you turn off a thermocouple?
- Turn off the gas on the main line that supplies your gas fired appliance. …
- Remove the thermocouple access panel. …
- Locate the thermocouple proper. …
- Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench.
Are thermocouples universal?
Honeywell, White Rodgers, and other manufacturers make universal replacement thermocouples, usually with a 30-millivolts (mV) rating for standing-pilot furnaces. … Electronic flame sensors are much less universal, and you must find the exact part specified for your furnace model.
Can I bypass a thermocouple?
Can You Bypass Thermocouples on Patio Heaters?
Constant heat supply
ensures that your patio heater pilot light is lit at all times. If your unit is receiving no heat, this won’t be so. To temporarily sort the situation, you can bypass thermocouples until you have funds to replace them.
Is thermocouple active or passive?
A thermocouple is instance of
active transducer
. Active transducer generates output in form of voltage and electric powered signals.
What is thermocouple sensor?
A thermocouple is
a sensor that measures temperature
. It consists of two different types of metals, joined together at one end. When the junction of the two metals is heated or cooled, a voltage is created that can be correlated back to the temperature.
How does a thermocouple work in a gas fireplace?
When turned on, the pilot in a gas stove generates heat, which travels through a thermocouple. As the heat reaches the second junction of the thermocouple, it generates
electrical voltage
. The fireplace uses this voltage to open the gas valve, allowing gas to flow out and start a fire.
