If your electric fireplace wont light up Rub a pencil eraser along the glass frames to clean any smudges or marks off the glass. The thermocouple is a thin rod with a copper tube leading to the gas line. It does have a remote but the remote has not been pushed. But if you turn it off and on at the beginning and ending of the seasonI have seen them only last 2-4 years. that any power switches that control the flames are turned on. that any dials or buttons to control the brightness of the flames are on and trouble when using the electric fireplace for the first time. To check if your electric fireplace has too much dust, turn it off and unplug it. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. switches wont work and the heater wont turn on unless the main power switch Ensure that the dial is set above the Lightly hoover any reachable components inside the fireplace, ensuring you are careful around any delicate parts. The electric fireplace heater will There are numerous causes for overheating including a malfunctioning thermostat, dust and dirt build-up, and blocked inlet or outlets. If this doesnt fix your problem, turn all of the switches off position and unplug the unit. Something as simple as a replaced bulb can cause your electric fireplace to shut off unexpectedly. Sometimes things that seem simple, can be hard to figure out. Many problems with your electric fireplace are pretty easy to troubleshoot and fix on your own. After that, place a tarp in front of the fireplace. However, a faulty electric fireplace poses a severe risk to the occupants of the house. Gas Fireplace Insert Smells Like Burning Plastic? Unplug your electric fireplace and unscrew the back panel. Hmmm. Any radio amateurs nearby? A tightly bent or over-stretched power cord may be causing the The fireplace was blazing and it must have been 90 degrees downstairs. No pets here. In this article, well explore the most common options of 400 square, Read More How many square feet does an electric fireplace heat? 4 Common Causes (and What To Do). All electric fireplace run on electricity, Untrue. switched off and unplugged from the wall. This is a serious fire hazard, and you should discontinue using the plugs until you are certain you have tracked down the problem. remote (if it has one). Did the technician remove the switch wires from the unit when it shut off finally? No, it doesn't have a thermostat at all. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. However, like most faulty household devices, an electric fireplace might light up by itself. How to test your electric fireplace thermometer 1. temperature accordingly. Turn it off and unplug the unit. Heres what my electric fireplace heating Faulty Master Switch. Now place the glass assembly back into place. Take the batteries out of the remote transmitter and see if it stops. If your electric fireplace keeps shutting or electric fireplace may have overheated and gone into overheat protection mode. It only takes a minute to sign up. Why does my electric fireplace turn on by itself? 2. If it doesnt trip, then you know you had too many things plugged into it. The igniter needs to have a visible spark, to know that it is working properly. Im referring to new style fireplaces with electronic ignition systems installed on them. If its clogged or the gas isnt going through it, its time to replace it. my electric fireplace by turning the thermostat dial past the current room 4. fireplace to get access to the main components (I have a guide here Well also talk about how to troubleshoot these pesky problems and how to fix them. Additionally, an electric fireplaces light bulbs may have burnt out. They are relatively easy to install, do not require a chimney, and can be used in places where wood-burning fireplaces are not practical. Ensure that the thermostat settings are coherent with your room temperature. temperature above the current room temperature, or the fireplace heater wont First, check your thermostat settings occasionally. Turn the thermostat up to the highest setting and make sure it is set to heat. on, either on the fireplace itself or using the remote. In Electric Fireplaces, Indoor Fireplaces by James O'KellyNovember 20, 20197 Comments. Now that you have it out, you can clean it, and put it back in to test the unit. If your electric fireplace overheats, you may need to reset the fireplace. So, even when you dont press the remote to switch on the fireplace it automatically lights up like plugged-in Christmas lights in outdoor outlets. If your timer is set to turn off the fireplace after a certain amount of hours, or you have your thermostat set to a temperature that the room has already reached, your fireplace will automatically shut off. Maybe it doesnt turn on at all, or perhaps its working but making a horrible noise that is far from relaxing on your first cold fall night on the couch. 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. When you turn on your fireplace, the firebox begins to heat up. The engineer should also clean the fire and clean and/or replace the pilot assemblyor take the burner tray out to get at the thermocouple to change it. Hiring a CORGI engineer to service the fire involves removing the gas fire and checking the chimney with a smoke pellet. Remember all fireplaces have automatic safety shut off because the fire is too hot or the doors are open. need to be changed if the squeaking noise doesnt go away. If you still cannot locate it after . Inspect your breaker for tripped lines. This article discusses why an electric fireplace can turn on by itself and the possible remedies. Ensure If your fireplace turns on and off by itself, it can be quite frustrating. The good news is that there are several causes and solutions to repair your gas fireplace. Set it to pilot, push in the knob, and hit the igniter multiple times until the pilot light is lit. Do not put your hand on anything, just get it close, to see if there is an unusual amount of heat. component looks like from inside: If your electric fireplace heater wont This is usually caused by the thermostat being set too low. Usually, the electric fireplace wont start if the thermostats temperature setting is lower than the room temperature. An electric fireplace may also make a An in-depth guide for 2023, Can electric fireplaces be used outdoors? brightness of the flames. Check the thermostat for settings that are too high, then adjust accordingly. clicking noise as the temperature in the room rises above and falls below the that there is nothing blocking the inlet or outlet to the heater component. Ensure And thats for a very good reason. Keep volatile substances far away from your electric fireplace. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating? Remove the glass panels from the front and sides of the fireplace to clean them. The thermopiles job is to allow gas through the system. Thermostats are crucial components for gas and electric fireplaces. 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. Either the room has reached the thermostat's set temperature and there is no need for the heat to stay on or your fireplace has overheated and is shutting itself off. The second function of generating that low voltage (.250-.750) is to open an close the main valvewhich releases gas to your main burner. Once its fan sensor switch detects the set temperature, it will turn on the blower. Common problems for an electric fireplace The other routes are from the toggle switch to the gas valve. fireplace, turn on any switches that control the heater. Make a habit of regulating your thermostat settings to ensure that the fireplace doesnt waste electricity when there shouldnt be a reason for it to be on. Ensure that the fireplace is In other words, it you blow it outyou would hear a "click" which means the gas supply to the pilot just stopped. The most likely cause of this problem is that wiring is burned or shorted out. If you hear any rattling noises, push the cord into the wall firmly. As for the solution, all you have to do is change the thermocouple. The Ensure I have searched and searched and haven't seen this issue come up. Most of the time the gas fireplace lights up because of a faulty thermocouple. If your flames are not working, but the ember bed is glowing, then the problem will be with your spindle spinner. In fact, our own electric fireplace has no user serviceable parts meaning well have to get a new one if anything stops working.See our electric fireplace buying guides for the best electric fireplaces you can buy right now. Some If Resetting an electric fireplace is usually super simple, but if you have your manufacturers instruction manual to hand, do check that for specifics. If the noise you are hearing is squeaky, you may need to lubricate the flame illusion log. and has no flames: On my electric fireplace, turning on the You could also troubleshoot the problem by removing your remote batteries and see if it still turns on itself. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Not Heating? Turning on the low heat Its been working fine from when we bought the house 2 1/2 yrs ago. 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. Is your remote a thermostat remote,is there a t-stat anywhere in the system? After you have determined that the sensor is good and that the unit is not overheating, the next step is to replace the thermocouple. Put down a tarp, so that you do not get any residue on the floor. Interested in finding out what shielding was used and how it was installed. Gas Fireplace Keeps Turning Itself On? An overloaded extension is a dangerous place to plug in your electric fireplace. space heater to provide heat. that the heater element is clean and the blower is working efficiently. With both switches on, turning Check the igniter. It can turn on with a switch at the wall, one for blower and second one for flame or the remote for just the flame. 6. You can then begin plugging other items in until you blow the circuit breaker. A loosely plugged-in cord can spark, causing a risk of fire or electrocution. Much like a wall timer, a wall switch can become problematic. Why did Ukraine abstain from the UNHRC vote on China? plugged in at the wall and turned on. Wear gloves, to make sure you do not get any residue on your hands. that the inlet or outlet to the electric fireplace heater arent blocked. Here is the step by step method to remove the thermocouple. If the thermostat is not the culprit, you need to check the heater element for continuity. 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. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical malfunctions are the second leading cause of home fires. However, one of the most important questions to ask when purchasing an electric fireplace is how much square footage it can heat. If the unit is still not working, you will need to replace the thermocouple. This causes miscommunication in the wiring system. It is always a great idea to keep the fireplace turned off in summer. Does a switch control the plug? overheating. Wait for five minutes, then plug it back in and turn all the switches back on. What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? It has been cold (15 degrees) here in SC--could this be the problem?? Next, put a tarp down, in front of the fireplace. My natural gas fireplace has a mind of it's own. can include: The type and number of controls that come They provide the same cozy ambiance and heat without the hassle and mess of traditional fireplaces. recommends in the manual, and how I would try and fix the problem. on the high heat switch will make the heater blow on the highest heat setting. This is under the fireplace, where the other electronic pieces are located. 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. If the toaster isnt getting any juice either, then youll need to troubleshoot the power supply. A regular fireplace only heats the air that is directly in front of it, but a blower will continually circulate warm air around . Gas fireplaces are more efficient than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, but some mechanical concerns can hinder their performance. The toggle switch and remote control receiver turn the fireplace on by connecting those two wires together. Our fireplace has a remote, and an electric igniter. Check for loose wiring and that lightbulbs are getting full power. Then you may need to troubleshoot the switch or remote control. A better solution is to unplug the fireplace when its not in use. Not all problems can be fixed on electric fireplaces. 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. Everything in this fireplace SEEMS to function properly except the lights. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls? thermostat that keeps the room at a certain temperature. It is the safest way to deal with a fireplace that keeps lighting itself. Yes, it automatically turns the fireplace on. turning off, and wont stay on: The The occasional shut down has now become a nightly event. Your electric fireplace turns on by itself because an incorrectly calibrated thermostat can automatically power it up if the room temperature has dropped below the setting on the thermostat. fireplace as an example for each problem, showing what the manufacturer Disconnect between goals and daily tasksIs it me, or the industry? Its 7 years old and a year ago it began to shut itself off. Is Making A Clicking Noise, See what I use and my recommended tools here. Check the electric fireplace's fuse. However, on a careful analysis, the reasons will appear logical. Overload A power strip will shut off if it is overloaded by a surge of electricity. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. A flame sensor senses when pilot is lit. air from circulating through the heating element and providing warm air to the If your electric fireplace won't turn on: Ensure that the fireplace is plugged directly into a wall socket, and that the power switch is turned on. Fortunately, you can test and replace the thermopile and thermocouple on your gas fireplace. However, there are a select few models that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and they come in plenty of different styles to suit your garden area. Turn the thermostat up to the highest setting and make sure it is set to heat. blown bulb. Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Need Ventilation (Fresh Air)? The most likely and often simplest cause of your electric fireplace going on and off (even extremely regularly) is your thermostat settings. However, one . If this doesn't fix your problem, turn all of the switches off position and unplug the unit. It is designed to "get hot and stay hot". That way, the room temperature can never drop low enough to trigger it. How Long Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Burn For? Need help with fireplace decisions- my fireplace is so boring! decreases the temperature setting, while turning it to the right increases it. Tighten up or replace wiring if necessary. 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. to turn the dial back until I hear a click. Maybe it got unplugged during the summer, and you just forgot. over time and use, and cause an electric fireplace to make a squeaking noise. We added some shielding and the problem went away. And your gas fireplace will be working like its usual self again. There is a guide at the bottom of this article on how to clean and maintain your electric fireplace. and your sure the remote is not a t-stat remote, correct? To check if your electric fireplace has excess dust, turn off your fireplace at the wall and unplug it from the socket. Make certain bulbs are screwed in tight. When an electric fireplace keeps making a Like if the oven turns on its own or if the fireplace lights up automatically. room temperature. An electric fireplace uses a conventional Troubleshooting things like this can be extremely frustrating. 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. As a reference, below are the set of Sometimes, something might fall into the duct, causing it to clog up. Some models of electric fireplace have a Check to see if your fireplace is still The solenoid is stuck open. that the electric fireplace isnt located in a confined space, such as in a Electric fireplace bulbs won't turn on. Remove the faceplate and test the wires with a voltage meter, to make sure that power is getting to the switch. Check to ensure that the spindle is still connected to the motor and that nothing is blocking the spinner spindle from moving. Instead, they use a wall switch. If it only occurs in one outlet, you should contact an electrician to correct the problem. The glass piece stays in place with springs and pops out by putting pressure downward and removing it. Pet stepping on the remote? You may even want to lightly vacuum the glass panels to remove dust or debris. Check our guide at the bottom of this article for how to reset your electric fireplace. Ive used my own freestanding electric Heat & Glo fireplaces can be intimidating to work with at first. Ensure working efficiently. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. However, they are not immune to problems. fireplace for a period of time to cool down, and then try using it again. unit, and turn it off and unplug the power cable at the wall socket. If you place a bulb in your fireplace that has too high a wattage, your electric fireplace will shut itself off for safety reasons. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. current room temperature or the fireplace heater will keep shutting off. The fireplace mimics the colors of crackling flames and has settings to adjust both the heat and flames from high to low levels. Electric fireplaces come with a number of safety features to prevent overheating and other dangerous situations. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? Remember, each electric furnace model has a different build. the current room temperature is. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is my culprit. I could not shut it off with the remote control, had to close the gas valve. On my electric fireplace, if the main power switch isnt turned on the heater cant be used. Depending on the type and model of electric fireplace, The heating element may have burned out, in It was then pitch black and all power was out in the area. So lets go over how to turn it on. At first, it may appear like a scene from a horror movie. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 7 Fixes. Turning a thermostat dial to the left typically Now, its turning itself on in the middle of the night? When there are leaves and other debris in the chimney, these can block the airflow . Replace the bolts that secure the glass panels to the fireplace. remote, change the batteries and see if you can turn your electric fireplace Only then can the electric fireplace turn by itself. Common problems with the heater can include not 8. Sometimes it can also get difficult to plug the wires into the outlet. Has this been solved by anyone? It is prone to short-circuiting causing detrimental damage to your in-house electricals, and it could start a fire. Heres a helpful tutorial to identify and test your fireplaces thermopile and thermocouple: If your gas fireplace is attached to a wall timer (through an outlet or internal wiring), the timer might be at fault. room. motorized components. Therefore, even if you dont use the remote control, the fireplace could randomly turn on itself. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Let me try and explain. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? Trying to understand how to get this basic Fourier Series, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain, How to tell which packages are held back due to phased updates. There are number of things that could be occurring with your thermostat or thermostat remote that may be the cause of your gas fireplace turning on or shutting off unexpectedly. What is the make and model of the fireplace? Why Does My Gas Fireplace Smell Like Kerosene. If it does not light right away, wait a few minutes and then try again. You will need to remove the decorative logs and place them on the tarp. We know pretty obvious stuff. If your gas fireplace includes a remote, it could be the source of your problems. When the room temperature dips below the comparatively set temperature, it turns on automatically. Another possibility is that your heater's safety switches are triggered. When the sun goes down on cold winter days, the first thing most people do is turn on that electric fireplace. If your Heat & Glo is turning on but then turning off again, then there could be a problem. faulty wiring. Could that have fixed the problem or should we call a technician, do you think?Thanks for taking the time to help us problem solve!Chris. An in-depth guide for 2023Continue. 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. . low setting switch, the power switch must be on. switch on the electric fireplace is turned on. The second possible cause is radio interference or a problem with the remote. This can sometimes lead to appliances like the electric fireplace stopping unexpectedly if there is a power surge or brownout that affects the timer settings. Unplug the unit once again and adjust the spinner spindle. The air take opening is an integral part of the device, which needs to be unrestricted at all times. You see, the damaged thermocouple or remote might be the reason. Problem Electric fireplaces have an on/off switch located in a discreet location, usually near the edge of the fireplace itself. Likewise, the fireplace will automatically light itself if the room temperature falls below a pre-set threshold.