The thermocouple is the wire that extends from the gas valve of the gas fireplace. Its 7 years old and a year ago it began to shut itself off. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. It maintains the room at a comfortable setting, but the thermostat can experience a handful of issues that could malfunction. This causes miscommunication in the wiring system. temperature. On my electric fireplace, the heater I have searched and searched and haven't seen this issue come up. alerting you to an issue that needs addressing. Not a standing pilot with an electronic ignitor, Electronic ignition fireplaces do not have thermopiles or thermocouples. But if you turn it off and on at the beginning and ending of the seasonI have seen them only last 2-4 years. Open the remote up and spray canned air to clean dust and dirt. (Always unplug the unit while working on it). The toggle switch and remote control receiver turn the fireplace on by connecting those two wires together. 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. This is a "Sure heat" savanna, purchased thru home depot a few years ago. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? As you could imagine, either component malfunctioning could turn the fireplace on without warning. Try this with your electric fireplace if it has a similar control setup. The other night my electric heater turned itself on. 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. It is late summer. This will sort out the problem. Remove the glass panels from the front and sides of the fireplace to clean them. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Now, most people dont have a remote controller for their fireplaces. Sometimes it can also get difficult to plug the wires into the outlet. Fireplace burner - air mixing valve needed? Some gas fireplaces with electric start have a thermopile that generates enough electricity to keep the valve open, even if you disconnect the mains electricity. 1. decreases the temperature setting, while turning it to the right increases it. Common problems with the heater can include not To make sure that the electric fireplace If you hear any rattling noises, push the cord into the wall firmly. This will change the intensity of the flame. components havent come loose and are tightly connected to the fireplace unit. You can do this by putting your hand close to the bottom area, where the switches are. However, you need to replace the remote or fix its problem for a permanent and long-lasting solution. Next, make sure the plug is working. Additionally, an electric fireplaces light bulbs may have burnt out. Electric fireplace bulbs won't turn on. How Long Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Burn For? Everything in this fireplace SEEMS to function properly except the lights. 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. However, we suggest reviewing the users manual for your fireplaces specific instructions. If the thermostat is not the culprit, you need to check the heater element for continuity. flickering flames are projected onto the front of the fireplace to imitate a If the toaster isnt getting any juice either, then youll need to troubleshoot the power supply. Ive therefore put together this electric fireplace troubleshooting guide together to explain the common problems experienced when using an electric fireplace, as well as outlining the possible solutions for fixing these problems. While waiting, check your manufacturers guidelines for the recommended procedures on how to clean your electric fireplace. Some models of electric fireplace have a turn on, wont heat or the fan is blowing cold air: Ensure This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. I guess the subject line says it all. switch on the electric fireplace is turned on. within warranty and contact the manufacturer. 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. Ensure that the fireplace is This site is owned and operated by The Laburnum Group Ltd. Electric Fireplace When it triggers, the gas goes through and lights with a spark. Then you may need to troubleshoot the switch or remote control. Allow your electric fireplace time to cool down if you have been using it. If your fireplace came with a Something as simple as blocking the airflow out of the heater can cause your fireplace to shut off. electric fireplace and replace if necessary. When the room temperature dips below the comparatively set temperature, it turns on automatically. Untrue. Try replacing the remote control if none of this works. But an unplugged appliance happens more than you think. After you have determined that the sensor is good and that the unit is not overheating, the next step is to replace the thermocouple. switched off and unplugged from the wall. Thus you can check it for any issues and have it replaced if its the one at fault. Depending on the type and model of electric fireplace, But yours isn't which tells me you have a weak thermopile and it needs replacing. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical malfunctions are the second leading cause of home fires. A loosely plugged-in cord can spark, causing a risk of fire or electrocution. I think you nailed it. 6. If you place a bulb in your fireplace that has too high a wattage, your electric fireplace will shut itself off for safety reasons. on, either on the fireplace itself or using the remote. Ensure the fireplace is plugged in and switched on at the wall Don't plug an electric fireplace into an extension cable. Turning on the low heat So, checking up on all the wires is a good idea. Remember all fireplaces have automatic safety shut off because the fire is too hot or the doors are open. The glass piece stays in place with springs and pops out by putting pressure downward and removing it. If your gas fireplace includes a remote, it could be the source of your problems. Too many things are plugged into it. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? temperature above the current room temperature, or the fireplace heater wont 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. I would look at two components: the control board the the thermopile and solenoid connect to, or the remote control receiver. The thermopiles job is to allow gas through the system. for sure. What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? Something as simple as a replaced bulb can cause your electric fireplace to shut off unexpectedly. Try reconfiguring the remote to limit radio interference and check if there is a fault with the receiver in the fireplace itself. the heater and flame components. fireplace for a period of time to cool down, and then try using it again. Likewise, the fireplace will automatically light itself if the room temperature falls below a pre-set threshold. room. 2. Is there a GFCI (a plug with a kind of circuit breaker) that has tripped? 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. Wait for five minutes, then plug it back in and turn all the switches back on. No, it doesn't have a thermostat at all. From what I read it could be a stray signal? If your electric fireplace is coming on by overheat protection mode as a safety feature to prevent the fireplace from However, one . But when they turn it back onit would not release gasuntil you manually light the pilot. Why does my electric fireplace turn on by itself? Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Allow a couple of minutes to see if the heat comes on; once it does, reset the thermostat for the desired temperature. To help maintain your Heat & Glo Fireplace, you will need to clean the glass. An overloaded extension is a dangerous place to plug in your electric fireplace. Once you have an idea of what might be happening, we have a few ideas to help fix the problem for good. A thermometer on the fireplace should be inspected periodically because when it rises too high, the fireplace will shut off automatically to prevent damage. If they are shorted together any other place it will also turn the fireplace on. Well, dont worry, we have an entire article thatll help you understand the reasons in detail. Change batteries in the remote. Many electric fireplaces also come with a timer or thermostat, so its important to check these settings before deciding to dive deeper into problem-solving. Inspect your breaker for tripped lines. difficult to pinpoint where and why a problem is occurring. They are relatively easy to install, do not require a chimney, and can be used in places where wood-burning fireplaces are not practical. which case it would need replacing. Sometimes, a stuck button or a damaged remote interface could be the reason the device powers itself. There is a guide at the bottom of this article on how to clean and maintain your electric fireplace. that the electric fireplace heater is clean and dust free. This is a common problem with Heat & Glo fireplaces. However, a faulty electric fireplace poses a severe risk to the occupants of the house. when using a remote to turn the fireplace on or off. An electric fireplace is a cost-effective way to heat your home without having to worry about fumes. If you do have a remote control receiver, it's easy to eliminate that as the problem because you can just disconnect it. turn on and give out any heat. Very Helpful Thank you so Much. The fireplace was blazing and it must have been 90 degrees downstairs. Do gas fireplaces shut off automatically? Yes, it automatically turns the fireplace on. 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. 5. However, with the growing use of electric fireplaces, many people are concerned about the potential fire hazards, Read More Can electric fireplaces cause fires? Everything you NEED to know to stay safe [2023]Continue, Do electric fireplaces need their own circuit? explaining how to open an electric fireplace). Incorrect Bulbs I'm a writer that is passionate about home improvements, remodeling, and renovating. If your electric fireplace trips the circuit breaker all on its own, you may need to find a different circuit to plug it into. Im thinking the igniter continuing to fire after lite is a bad sensor thats not telling the igniter the fire has lite until its been on for a while, but the turning on by itself seems unrelated? Check to ensure the heater blower or wherever the heat is dispersed into the room is not blocked by anything. You should hear a beep. Inspect the fuse on the Youll need to decide what isnt necessary to be plugged into the same load-bearing circuit. Turn the breaker off before doing any work to the switch. We've never had this issue before either.Thanks for your response. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating? Did the technician remove the switch wires from the unit when it shut off finally? In order to the turn the heater on with the Find the inlet to your electric fireplace and check that nothing is blocking it. If your fireplace is shutting off because of a thermostat malfunction you need to remove the thermostat and check it for continuity. heating up and cooling down. 7. Need help for my kitchen - keep my white tile floor. You can then begin plugging other items in until you blow the circuit breaker. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Ecobee Furnace Not Lighting? real, and so theyre produced by a light source run on electricity. It essentially works like the AC. After five minutes have passed, turn everything back on. Contact the company for a new thermostat based on the make and model. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. This does not require any special tools, just follow these simple steps. Whether theres a loose connection or the thermostat needs to be replaced, it wont go away on its own. the lighting components inside the fireplace for signs of any problems, such a This includes dust or dirt build-up as well as more obvious to spot objects like carpet. [Your questions answered in 2023]Continue, Electric fireplaces have become a popular alternative to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They provide the same cozy ambiance and heat without the hassle and mess of traditional fireplaces. 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. Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Need Electricity? If you are looking for an electric fireplace, I recommend Touchstone Sideline Recessed from Amazon.com. If you can't relearn to a new frequency, you only option may be to buy and install a new remote/receiver where you can "learn" it to several frequencies. Your heater may have tripped the circuit breaker due to overloading. Ensure that the rods for the After that, place a tarp in front of the fireplace. If it does, your heater is definitely shutting off because of a thermostat malfunction. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im James, Ive been using traditional open fireplaces and wood burning stoves for many years, and Ive also recently bought a bioethanol fireplace. If its clogged or the gas isnt going through it, its time to replace it. Set it to about 150 degrees to see if the fireplace shuts off after that setting. Many people enjoy the ambiance that an electric fireplace can provide, as well as the convenience and cost-effectiveness of this type of heater. Disconnect the two to four wires on the back of the switch, labeling them for correct placement. Youve given me a bucketful of knowledge that has helped me tremendously. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. fireplace that makes a beeping sound when the main controls are used, such as The longer its on the more likely it will happen. rev2023.3.3.43278. Some They come in a wide range of styles and designs and can be used for both heating and aesthetic purposes. radio interference could be from other than an actual radio. Ensure that the dial is set above the It was the loudest explosion I have ever heard in my life. An incorrectly calibrated thermostat can automatically power up your electric fireplace if the room temperature has dropped below the setting on the thermostat. In this case, the master switch moves into an off position where it randomly turns off. Pet stepping on the remote? setting switch will then provide heat from the blower. each heat setting. that the electric fireplace isnt located in a confined space, such as in a controls need to be switch on before others will work, and so I had some You will need to thoroughly inspect your unit, for overheating and other factors. Like many other electric fireplaces, my The fireplace heater will An in-depth guide for 2023, Can electric fireplaces be used outdoors? If your gas fireplace is wired to a faulty wall switch, follow these steps: If you have additional questions about your gas fireplace, one of these articles might be able to help: 7 Ways to Keep Food Warm Without Electricity, Furnace Not Starting? To begin, turn the gas valve located in front to the off position. So if the fireplace was on already and you disconnect the main power, I would expect the fire to stay on. Is Making A Clicking Noise, See what I use and my recommended tools here. 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. Now, what is a thermocouple? Next, check the unit to make sure it is not overheating. storey3.some remotes/receivers have a "learn" button that you can "re-learn" the frequencysome have several frequencies you can marry up to the remote. Yes, you read that right. 3. blown bulb. See what I use and my recommended tools here. air from circulating through the heating element and providing warm air to the Give the brand and model number of your electric fireplace a search and you may be able to find the manual that way. It has three positions, pilot, on, and off. Since the switch is delaing with millivolts . Use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten any loose connections. I also have an additional dial on the fireplace that I used to adjust the Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. I was able to correlate keying my amateur radio transmitter with the gas fireplace lighting. 2. Evidently, Heat-n-Glow designed a fireplace which is susceptible to misreading general noise in the air which can cause the fireplace to turn on . Can someone please help identify what is wrong with it and hopefully, how to fix it? Faulty Master Switch. In other words, your remote goes crazy and controls the fireplace at its own will. fireplace, turn on any switches that control the heater. Does a switch control the plug? To check if your electric fireplace has excess dust, turn off your fireplace at the wall and unplug it from the socket. We have a 2 year old Lennox propane fireplace and recently it has begun igniting itself. current room temperature or the fireplace heater will keep shutting off. My service man came and disconnected the control valve from it's electrical source and the fireplace remained on--strange at best. Glad I was home. If your electric fireplace wont light up Radio interferrence? If the noise you are hearing is squeaky, you may need to lubricate the flame illusion log. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. They are safe, energy-efficient, and produce no fumes. Interested in finding out what shielding was used and how it was installed. With the power switch turned on for the As you will find out, this is a sporadic problem. This will sort out the problem. 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. Listen to find out where in the There are numerous causes for overheating including a malfunctioning thermostat, dust and dirt build-up, and blocked inlet or outlets. Check to ensure that the spindle is still connected to the motor and that nothing is blocking the spinner spindle from moving. If you check the millivolts when "just" the pilot is lityou may get .250 or better (anything below .100 it will not stay lit). can include: The type and number of controls that come fireplaces thermostat. One of the main causes of overheating electric fireplaces is dust and dirt build up over months and years. A regular fireplace only heats the air that is directly in front of it, but a blower will continually circulate warm air around . clean. To reset your unit, locate the module that has the reset switch setting. Do NOT touch any of the parts while the fireplace is plugged in. That's it. room is, and allows you to adjust the dial to set your preferred room Why did my fireplace turn on by itself? Ensure The cause can be as simple as the outlet is off, but there are more serious concerns like faulty wiring or tripped breaker. 7 Fixes. 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. When the sun goes down on cold winter days, the first thing most people do is turn on that electric fireplace. 4. Electric fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional fireplaces for heating homes. Check our guide at the bottom of this article for how to reset your electric fireplace. low setting switch, the power switch must be on. Need help with fireplace decisions- my fireplace is so boring! How to test your electric fireplace thermometer 1. flames or heater are well lubricated. Why Does My Gas Fireplace Have a Small Flame? Hopefully, you have the answers you need. The master switch can also be faulty which will lead to the TV remote turning on the fireplace. Why Does My Electric Fireplace Make a Clicking Noise? Ive used my own freestanding electric A few possible causes that are responsible for your Dimplex electric fireplace remote not working are: Improper operation An outside source may be causing a radio frequency disturbance. My electric fireplace has an LED light source which shouldnt need to be changed. 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. Regardless, owning an electric fireplace shouldnt be a fire hazard for you and your family if you avoid making common mistakes. However, there are some general techniques you can use to effectively clean your electric fireplace. Take the batteries out of the remote transmitter and see if it stops. The other routes are from the toggle switch to the gas valve. that any power switches that control the flames are turned on. My fireplace is doing this now, too. Tighten up or replace wiring if necessary. Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Fitting an L-Shaped Couch? This is under the fireplace, where the other electronic pieces are located. Fortunately, you can test and replace the thermopile and thermocouple on your gas fireplace. beeping noise its a sign that something isnt functioning properly, or its Ensure that the fireplace I can set my preferred room temperature on 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've made several calls and no one knows what to do, so if you find the answer, please let me know. Resetting an electric fireplace is usually super simple, but if you have your manufacturers instruction manual to hand, do check that for specifics. Faulty wiring in the plug may cause this and may require an electrician. May tear it out and replace, or just use manually. One of the main concerns people have with electric fireplaces is whether or not they get hot to the touch. We have provided a step by step method for replacing it. And most of the time, two wires are the main culprit. The module is attached to wires, and you can pull it out slightly, to work on it. faulty wiring. Much like a wall timer, a wall switch can become problematic. As such, all repairs and maintenance should be handled by someone who knows their way around a furnace. An in-depth guide for 2023Continue, Electric fireplaces are a common feature in many homes these days. Similar to #1, if there is no voltage, but it is open, it's likely stuck. | Gas Fireplace Insert Smells Like Burning Plastic? Here is the step by step method to remove the thermocouple. sizes, shapes and designs, and have a number of electrical components, which To check if your electric fireplace has too much dust, turn it off and unplug it. The fireplace mimics the colors of crackling flames and has settings to adjust both the heat and flames from high to low levels. Thanks for putting my mind at ease. Ensure that the main power switch on the electric fireplace is turned on. Make sure the batteries are working on the remote control. An electric fireplace may also make a Turn your electric fireplace off at the If it's not this, I'd start looking for ghosts. that there is nothing blocking the inlet or outlet to the heater component. Once you have it out, look for the indicator light. turned up. ask it to leave. turning off, and wont stay on: The Let me try and explain. Press the flame button several times to reset. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine?