Gas Fireplace Repair and Yearly Service

New Jersey is a gas state. The Census counts 73 percent of homes heating with utility gas, against 47 percent nationally, and gas fireplaces are everywhere from Bergen County colonials to newer homes down the Shore. They are easy to live with, which is exactly why they get ignored. A gas fireplace still burns fuel, still makes exhaust and still has a pilot, a valve and a vent that wear and clog.

Most service calls are the same few problems: the pilot will not stay lit, the burner lights and shuts off, the glass turns white or black, or the flame looks lazy and yellow. Many are a dirty pilot assembly or a worn thermocouple. Some point to a venting problem that matters more for safety than for comfort, so we look at the vent as well as the controls.

Signs you need this

• Pilot will not light or will not stay lit
• Burner lights, then shuts off after a few minutes
• White or black film on the inside of the glass
• Yellow, lazy or sooty flames
• A gas, exhaust or burning smell when it runs

How we do it

1. Diagnose the faultWe test the ignition parts, the gas valve, the control module and the gas pressure, and tell you what failed and what it costs before fixing it.
2. Service the burner and pilotThe pilot assembly, burner ports and logs or media are taken out, cleared and set back in the positions the manufacturer specifies.
3. Check the vent and glassWe inspect the vent termination and joints, the glass gasket and the door seal, since a leaking seal lets exhaust into the room.
4. Test and confirmWe let it burn through a complete heat cycle, watch the flame pattern and safety shutoff, and remind you where the CO alarm should be.

Do gas fireplaces need carbon monoxide alarms in New Jersey?

Yes. The state fire code requires carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units that have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, placed in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping areas. DCA Bulletin 99-3, the state's guide to that rule, treats a gas fireplace as a fuel-burning appliance in its own worked example, and says alarms must be UL 2034 listed. Battery, plug-in or hard-wired alarms are all allowed.

When you sell, the town issues a certificate covering smoke alarms, CO alarms and a fire extinguisher before closing. A gas fireplace means the CO alarm part applies to you.

What do gas fireplace repairs cost?

A yearly service typically runs $150 to $350. Pilot, thermocouple and igniter repairs typically run $100 to $350. Replacing a gas valve or control board costs $300 to $1,000, set by the brand and the part. Diagnosis is free, and the whole category spans $150 to $1,000.

What if I smell gas?

Do not try to light the fireplace or switch anything on or off. Leave the house and call your gas utility's emergency line or 911 from outside. Once the utility has made it safe, we can come and find out why it happened.

A smell of exhaust or a stinging, burning smell is different from a gas leak, but it still means the fireplace should stay off until it has been checked.