fireplace should operate almost silently, while the heater component typically makes Some temperature above the current room temperature, or the fireplace heater wont Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Do gas fireplaces shut off automatically? And, you should probably. This can be a bit of a mystery, however, weve got a few answers, that might solve your problems. Where is the reset button on my electric fireplace? Turn on the gas and breaker, then turn on the fireplace to ensure it works. I could not shut it off with the remote control, had to close the gas valve. Close the gas valve leading to the fireplace. How To Fix The 11 Most Common Electric Fireplace Problems The other night my electric heater turned itself on. The flames on an electric fireplace arent That lets you know it is back on. switch on the electric fireplace is turned on. Yes, you read that right. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. and has no flames: On my electric fireplace, turning on the over time and use, and cause an electric fireplace to make a squeaking noise. Press the flame button several times to reset. Why Would a Gas Fireplace Be Going On and Off? - Kozy Heat Fireplaces automatically adjust the heat output when required to ensure that the room This is to let you know what the current temperature in the The toggle switch and remote control receiver turn the fireplace on by connecting those two wires together. It was the loudest explosion I have ever heard in my life. Why does my electric fireplace turn on by itself? Untrue. The fireplace has separate switches to control You could test this by checking for voltage across the solenoid when the switch is off. Remove the glass panels from the front and sides of the fireplace to clean them. However, one of the most important questions to ask when purchasing an electric fireplace is how much square footage it can heat. Once it turned itself on after shutting itself down, but typically it just shuts itself off. is on. Are you having trouble with your Heat & Glo fireplace turning on and off? The reset button may be hard to find, as it is often a small red or black button about the size of a dime or nickel. The second possible cause is radio interference or a problem with the remote. real fire. DH turned off the gas but I want to be able to use it with the flick of a switch or a push of a remote button. When the sun goes down on cold winter days, the first thing most people do is turn on that electric fireplace. It has been working properly until today--it decided to come on by itself. 7. Do not put your hand on anything, just get it close, to see if there is an unusual amount of heat. I hope this helps explain whats going on. Many components on an electric fireplace arent serviceable (the manual for my electric fireplace states that there are no user-serviceable parts) and so you may be offered a replacement fireplace. The energy generated by this device is somewhere around .750-.250 millivolts (DC). If they read 0 volts, the thermopile needs to be replaced. efficiently. I just got tired and scared of coming home from work or waking up to a lit fireplace when no one had turned it on, wall switch was still in off position and the only way to turn the fireplace off was to turn off the gas. flickering flames are projected onto the front of the fireplace to imitate a Once you have it out, look for the indicator light. My fireplace has a thermopile, but it also has electronic start added as an option. tell them it's better on the other side and to go toward the light. Why does my gas fireplace turn off and on by itself? Lights from underneath hit the spinner spindle, thus creating the appearance of the flame. That way, the room temperature can never drop low enough to trigger it. Top 5 Causes + Fixes. It does have a remote but the remote has not been pushed. Ensure When you turn on your fireplace, the firebox begins to heat up. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. Youll need to decide what isnt necessary to be plugged into the same load-bearing circuit. The remote may not be initialized with the fireplace. Open up the back panel and lubricate using WD-40 or something similar. I guess the subject line says it all. Once you have done this, allow some time for the unit to cool down. a small amount of noise, particularly from the blower. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. Do you have a standing pilot on your fireplace? Next, put a tarp down, in front of the fireplace. The cause can be as simple as the outlet is off, but there are more serious concerns like faulty wiring or tripped breaker. 2023 householdair. component looks like from inside: If your electric fireplace heater wont Heres what my electric fireplace heating My fireplace is doing this now, too. If the power to the electric fireplace is on, the temperature in the room may have dipped below the temperature set on the thermostat dial, which can cause the fireplace heater to turn back on in order to heat the room back up to the set temperature. In this case, the master switch moves into an off position where it randomly turns off. Also, faulty power supply short-circuited wiring leads to this issue. If everything checks out ok, you may wish to replace the thermostat anyway. Did that puzzle up your brain? Heres Why, Do Gas Fireplaces Have a Flue? Fitting an L-Shaped Couch? If your Heat & Glo is not working properly, you may need to remove the thermocouple, to either clean it or replace it. Make certain bulbs are screwed in tight. If it doesnt trip, then you know you had too many things plugged into it. that the heater element is clean and the blower is working efficiently. Now that you have it out, you can clean it, and put it back in to test the unit. The service tech said I needed a new switch, didn't work. Many problems with your electric fireplace are pretty easy to troubleshoot and fix on your own. explaining how to open an electric fireplace). Many electric fireplaces also come with an Remove any dirt or dust from We have been using it fairly regularly at night but the past three days, at least, we noticed that it will randomly ignite by itself. It has been cold (15 degrees) here in SC--could this be the problem?? controls need to be switch on before others will work, and so I had some Why does my electric fireplace turn on by itself? cupboard, which can lead to the fireplace overheating. remote, change the batteries and see if you can turn your electric fireplace An in-depth guide for 2023, Can electric fireplaces be used outdoors? 8. We recommend to use caution and seek the advice of qualified professionals. Why does my electric fireplace turn off by itself? There is also a thermopile that provides enough power to open/close the solenoid that controls the main burners (on it's own, without requiring you to first manually hold the solenoid in place like the pilot). Where is the thermocouple on a gas fireplace? An electric fireplace may also make a A better solution is to unplug the fireplace when its not in use. Check that the batteries are fresh in your remote control. According to the repairman, over time, a tiny amount of corrosion (or even just plain wear) will affect the connection inside the switch, creating increased resistance. So, shall we take a peek at it then? An incorrectly calibrated thermostat can automatically power up your electric fireplace if the room temperature has dropped below the setting on the thermostat. It's a duraflame fake fireplace heater. Ensure that the rods for the You can do this with a glass cleaner. Like many other freestanding electric Great post! As for the solution, all you have to do is change the thermocouple. Your electric fireplace may be making a Two low voltage wires extend from the remote control receiver to the gas valve, and perhaps from a separate toggle switch to the gas valve. the flames and heat may be produced by separate motors. your electric fireplace has a thermostat, ensure that the dial is set to a These two wires mesh-up and create havoc. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. You could also troubleshoot the problem by removing your remote batteries and see if it still turns on itself. And thats for a very good reason. A gas fireplace keeps turning itself on for the following reasons: Remote problems Thermostat issues Broken thermopile firing Bad timer wiring Damaged wall switch In this post, we'll talk about the five primary causes of a gas fireplace that activates on its own and what you can do about it. Ensure that the blower is working Do a deep clean of the motor, blower, and all other moving parts by cleaning off all dust and dirt. It essentially works like the AC. Check that the heater and flame Need help for my kitchen - keep my white tile floor. Houses consume more power when people are sleeping, so many timers are set to turn off or reduce power to various appliances during this time. 3 Common Causes. On this site, you'll find information about how temperature works, how to stay warm or cool in all types of situations, and guides on choosing (and fixing) the best temperature-related appliances. It may reset the master switch and solve the problem. They are relatively easy to install, do not require a chimney, and can be used in places where wood-burning fireplaces are not practical. Kozy Heat explains the thermopile pairs with a thermocouple to decide when the fireplace should be on or off. brightness of the flames. Disconnect the two to four wires on the back of the switch, labeling them for correct placement. When an electric fireplace keeps making a Tighten up or replace wiring if necessary. Allow the fireplace to cool down before attempting to check for dust or dirt. All Rights Reserved. If you still cannot locate it after . ask it to leave. Depending on the type and model of electric fireplace, All electric fireplaces are different and so if you cant find a solution to your problem in this is article, its worth checking your instruction manual to try and find the solution to any problems on your particular model of fireplace.If youve thrown away or lost the instruction manual to your fireplace, you may be able to find it online. [Your questions answered in 2023]Continue, Electric fireplaces have become a popular alternative to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. However, on a careful analysis, the reasons will appear logical. Remove the front panel and locate the thermostat. Your heater may have tripped the circuit breaker due to overloading. Bad wiring can trigger the fireplace when the remote is moved. At the same time, other wires can also cause this problem. But yours isn't which tells me you have a weak thermopile and it needs replacing. Fireplace burner - air mixing valve needed? They can be tested for power with a multimeter. How to Fix a Gas Fire That Keeps Going Out - Dengarden fireplaces, my electric fireplace reflects light onto the back of the fireplace Is Making A Clicking Noise, See what I use and my recommended tools here. The most common issue is the overheating shutoff sensor, which will cause the unit to shut off, and then back on after it has cooled. fireplace as an example for each problem, showing what the manufacturer I would look at two components: the control board the the thermopile and solenoid connect to, or the remote control receiver. My natural gas fireplace has a mind of it's own. (Always unplug the unit while working on it). my electric fireplace by turning the thermostat dial past the current room If it's not this, I'd start looking for ghosts. There can be nothing more frustrating than setting up a new electric fireplace or turning on the old one after it hasnt been used all summer, only to encounter problems. Contact the company for a new thermostat based on the make and model. space heater to provide heat. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The reset button on your electric fireplace will depend on the specific model you have. If there is no heat, the sensor may be malfunctioning and could need replacing. Faulty Master Switch. Our fireplace has a remote, and an electric igniter. is the problem corrected with new batteries? 6. Set it to pilot, push in the knob, and hit the igniter multiple times until the pilot light is lit. One of them comes from the receiver and connects to the gas valve. To the best of our knowledge it has not happened again. So I'd start by inspecting those wires. Replacing either component requires turning off the gas and electricity. The heating element may have burned out, in Set it to about 150 degrees to see if the fireplace shuts off after that setting. The radio wasn't on at the time. TV remote, garage door openers, lighting controls the list goes on. mdx42 Having a "wall switch" means that you have a "thermo-pile" driven system/valve not to be confused with a thermocouple system. I have searched and searched and haven't seen this issue come up. As for the solution, all you have to do is change the thermocouple. Test your fireplaces timer by plugging the appliance directly into the wall without a timer. Usually, the electric fireplace wont start if the thermostats temperature setting is lower than the room temperature. the thermostat dial, which can cause the fireplace heater to turn back on in It spins around on a flame illusion rod that has reflective metallic offshoots connected to it. The devices electric component could have either burnt out or short-circuited. With both switches on, turning The most likely cause of this problem is that wiring is burned or shorted out. If it happens again, then you need to contact the manufacturer. Need help with fireplace decisions- my fireplace is so boring! When troubleshooting, always start with the easiest thing first, to avoid replacing pricey parts that werent broken in the first place. Ensure Can someone please help identify what is wrong with it and hopefully, how to fix it? | Gas Fireplace Insert Smells Like Burning Plastic? Ensure Well also talk about how to troubleshoot these pesky problems and how to fix them. the fireplace off at the main switch on the appliance, or on the wall. keep your room at a constant set temperature. Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists. Ensure that the fireplace isnt The thermostats job is to trigger the fireplace whenever the temperature gets too low. alerting you to an issue that needs addressing. | Different Types of Fireplaces | How To Turn On A Gas Fireplace With A Wall Switch. An in-depth guide for 2023, Electric fireplace smells like burning plastic 3 common causes and how to fix it [2023]. Is your remote a thermostat remote,is there a t-stat anywhere in the system? Too many things are plugged into it. Try reconfiguring the remote to limit radio interference and check if there is a fault with the receiver in the fireplace itself. However, starting by itself is not a good thing. Children and pets may accidentally fiddle with remote settings causing the electric fireplace to run for longer than needed leaving it susceptible to overuse. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating? that there is nothing blocking the inlet or outlet to the heater component. Next, make sure the plug is working. Give sufficient time for the heater to cool. Therefore, even if you dont use the remote control, the fireplace could randomly turn on itself. Let the fireplace cool down first before looking for dust or dirt. However, we suggest reviewing the users manual for your fireplaces specific instructions. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Regardless, owning an electric fireplace shouldnt be a fire hazard for you and your family if you avoid making common mistakes. Why Does My Gas Fireplace Smell Like Kerosene. The good news is that there are several causes and solutions to repair your gas fireplace. rev2023.3.3.43278. While an electric fireplace doesnt use naked flames, flammable material like cloth can ignite under direct contact with the heater leading to an indoor fire. You will need to pull it through the mounting plate, to get it out. To find the problem, you will have to do a little bit of troubleshooting. The master switch can also be faulty which will lead to the TV remote turning on the fireplace. Copyright 2022 Temperature Master | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact. This is usually caused by the thermostat being set too low. In order to the turn the heater on with the This causes miscommunication in the wiring system. typically make a clicking noise when the dial has been turned to the current Any radio amateurs nearby? I've seen them last 20 plus yearsif you leave your pilot on "all the time"even the off season. They are safe, energy-efficient, and produce no fumes. If your burner drops out after a few minutes or sobut the pilot stays litit is "cycling". A fireplace blower cannot turn on and off instantly like a light bulb. Remove the ornamental logs and set them on the tarp. Now, what is a thermocouple? Twist counter-clockwise, to increase the gas to air ratio. You can also check out what fireplaces and stoves Im currently using here. If your electric fireplace overheats, you may need to reset the fireplace. One more reason for the problem can be the remote control. An overloaded extension is a dangerous place to plug in your electric fireplace. clean. We have provided a step by step method for replacing it. So, how can a remote turn on a gas fireplace by itself? motorized components. However, they are not immune to problems. fireplace that makes a beeping sound when the main controls are used, such as Electric fireplaces have several cleaning and maintenance components that are designed to help them perform properly. Ensure Instead, they use a wall switch. on: If you are within your warranty period, its worth contacting the manufacturer for any other possible causes and solutions. Turn the breaker off before doing any work to the switch. Not all problems can be fixed on electric fireplaces. There are a few reasons why your fireplace might turn on by itself. Check switches wont work and the heater wont turn on unless the main power switch There are numerous causes for overheating including a malfunctioning thermostat, dust and dirt build-up, and blocked inlet or outlets. No pets here. turned up. The pilot remains on and seems to be find. Until the problem is solved, I recommend unplugging your electric fireplace from the wall socket. Something as simple as a replaced bulb can cause your electric fireplace to shut off unexpectedly. That's it. It maintains the room at a comfortable setting, but the thermostat can experience a handful of issues that could malfunction. Check to ensure the heater blower or wherever the heat is dispersed into the room is not blocked by anything. plugged in at the wall and turned on. Im referring to new style fireplaces with electronic ignition systems installed on them. First, remove the glass assembly from your Heat & Glo unit. Once its fan sensor switch detects the set temperature, it will turn on the blower. And today well explain why a gas fireplace turns on by itself. that the electric fireplace heater is clean and dust free. The light will blink from red to green, if the unit is locked out, and needs to be reset. Does a switch control the plug? The most likely cause of this problem is that wiring is burned or shorted out. Electric fireplace bulbs won't turn on. 4 Common Causes (and What To Do). Everything you NEED to know to stay safe [2023], Do electric fireplaces need their own circuit? Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Ensure the fireplace is plugged in and switched on at the wall Don't plug an electric fireplace into an extension cable. It is an easy replacement and being aware that everything works but the thermostat can saveyou a ton of time and trouble later on. Some electric fireplaces have dimmer switches that allow you to increase or decrease the intensity of the flames and ember beds; yours may be turned down too low. So, as you can see its an essential component of the gas fireplace. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. to turn the dial back until I hear a click. Purchase and install a similar wall switch, wiring the two to four wires to the corresponding locations. Try this with your electric fireplace if it has a similar control setup. If your Dimplex electric fireplace won't turn on, the first thing to check is the power source. After that, place a tarp in front of the fireplace. In this article, well explore the most common options of 400 square, Read More How many square feet does an electric fireplace heat? The thermocouple is a thin rod with a copper tube leading to the gas line. After you have the glass removed, check your igniter by clicking it a few times, to make sure that its getting a spark. It has three positions, pilot, on, and off. So, if you locate the gas valve, you locate the thermocouple. The main reason behind this is always the faulty parts. The term cycling comes from this scenario: pilot is on, you turn the main burner on (switch), it lightsbut the millivolts are slowly dropping and then burner drops out. Something as simple as blocking the airflow out of the heater can cause your fireplace to shut off. Has this been solved by anyone? A broken wall timer randomly triggers the gas fireplace to turn on. Also check that the rotating mirrors are Loose hardware is the most common culprit of noisy motors. First, you will need to turn the gas valve on the front of the unit to the off position. each heat setting. Here is the step by step method to remove the thermocouple. overheat protection mode as a safety feature to prevent the fireplace from Most electric fireplaces shut off after a few minutes because of a malfunctioning thermostat. But the good news is, it can be fixed! How to notate a grace note at the start of a bar with lilypond? a $3 switch was the solution to a fireplace that keeps turning itself off. Much like a wall timer, a wall switch can become problematic. The last suspect on our list is the wall switch. Check to see if your fireplace is still How to test your electric fireplace thermometer 1. A malfunctioning remote control is another reason why your electric fireplace can spontaneously turn on by itself. One of the main causes of overheating electric fireplaces is dust and dirt build up over months and years. So if the fireplace is stuck on, I would think it's one of two things: There is a short in the controller and power is always being provided to the solenoid. The module is attached to wires, and you can pull it out slightly, to work on it. If the thermostat is set to a lower temperature, turn the settings either higher or lower to achieve a more reasonable setting then power on your fireplace. Remember, each electric furnace model has a different build. Most electric fireplaces are equipped with a safety shut-off function in case of overheating. If that is the case, then the electric fireplace might need its own circuit. However,, Read More Electric fireplace smells like burning plastic 3 common causes and how to fix it [2023]Continue, Can electric fireplaces cause fires? We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. These motorized components can wear out Generally, however, the way to reset your electric fireplace is to turn all switches on your fireplace to the off position and unplug it from the wall for at least five minutes. One of the most common reasons for an electric fireplace to stop functioning is that the device has been programmed to turn off in order to save power. An electric fireplace thermostat helps to These remotes are made for convenience, but bad batteries, faulty wiring, and sticky buttons can quickly turn them into a nuisance. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Have problems every year, must replace the batteries very often, but never new it could come on by itself. You will need to thoroughly inspect your unit, for overheating and other factors. First, check your thermostat settings occasionally. The occasional shut down has now become a nightly event. The fireplace heater will Overload A power strip will shut off if it is overloaded by a surge of electricity. You may also want to open up the back of the unit and clean the fan of any dust and dirt build-up that may impede the unit from self-cooling. On most fireplaces I've seen (non-electronic start), a thermocouple provides enough power, along with the initial press/hold of the solenoid, to keep the solenoid open for the pilot light to remain lit.