Global Insight Media.

Your daily source of verified news and insightful analysis

science

What is the fan for on a gas fireplace?

By Isabella Little
Many gas fireplaces use a blower to drive warm air out into the room. They also have a fan speed adjustment switch so you can strike a balance between blower speed and noise level. But if the fan gets loaded with dust or the motor bearings wear, the blower will make a rumbling noise at all speeds.

.

Likewise, do I have to use the fan on my gas fireplace?

Gas fireplaces are typically installed with a fan, also called a blower. The purpose of gas fireplace fans is to disperse heat — not necessarily to vent exhaust. You can operate an enclosed, vented gas fireplace without turning on the fan for as long as you need to.

Secondly, how much does it cost to add a fan to a gas fireplace? If this is the case, anticipate paying an additional $300 to $500. Installing a blower and fan to your fireplace will help the heat circulate more quickly, warming up the room faster. Typically added during installation, this can increase the cost by about $100.

Considering this, how do I fix my gas fireplace fan?

A loose wire or similar minor issue can often be fixed in a few minutes without calling a repair technician.

  1. Turn off the gas valve that controls the fireplace burners and wait for the insert to cool.
  2. Remove the screws holding the housing on the blower motor, using a screwdriver.
  3. Clean the fan blades with an old cloth.

Do fireplace blowers really work?

Choosing a high number increases the energy of your fireplace from 74 to 92 percent. The fireplace blower uses only a small amount of electricity, therefore the added heat in the room far outweighs any extra electricity required while the blower motor is functioning. Some blowers include a thermostat.

Related Question Answers

Can you use your gas fireplace when the power is out?

If you have a gas fireplace or stove with a standing pilot, it will light during a power outage since it doesn't require electricity to activate the pilot flame. Batteries should be used as a power source only in the event of a power outage, as battery longevity can be affected by the temperatures of the appliance.

Can you run a gas fireplace when power is out?

There is no danger to continuously running a gas fireplace during a power outage. The blower that would normally turn on with the fireplace needs electricity to work. You can run your gas fireplace as long as needed to ensure you are warm and content without worry of overheating the unit.

Why is my gas fireplace fan so loud?

Many gas fireplaces use a blower to drive warm air out into the room. But if the fan gets loaded with dust or the motor bearings wear, the blower will make a rumbling noise at all speeds. Sometimes it's possible to remove the blower and clean the fan blades to quiet it.

How do I circulate my fireplace heat?

If You Have a Fireplace or Wood-Burning or Pellet-Burning Furnace… First, if you also have forced air, turn the fan on to help circulate heat. Make sure your ceiling fans rotate clockwise so they pull cool air up off the floor and push warm air down. And also keep them running at their lowest speed.

Do all direct vent fireplaces have glass fronts?

A Direct Vent Gas Fireplace does not require a chimney and can vent horizontally out a sidewall or vertically through a roof. Direct Vent Fireplaces have a porous front glass enclosure that allows radiant heat to pass into the room.

Should a ventless gas fireplace smell?

In fact, a faint gas smell is an unavoidable consequence of using gas fireplace logs. As the name implies, ventless gas fireplaces don't require an open chimney to operate. Because they burn only small amounts of natural gas or propane, they are safe to operate indoors.

Do you leave glass doors open gas fireplace?

Gas fireplaces aren't a solution for a problem chimney. You can reduce drafts and heat loss by installing glass doors in front of the gas fireplace, but the doors must remain open while the fire is burning.

How do fireplace fans work?

The fan draws cool air in from the bottom vents and heats it up inside before being forced out into the room at the top. This simply means the fireplace uses the blower to draw in cool room air through a vented panel. As cool room air is taken in, that air is heated as it circulates around the hot firebox.

Can I put a fan in front of my fireplace?

Place the box fan on low, facing INTO the space where your fireplace is, blowing the cool air at the unit. This will cause a convection reaction and the hot air will be forced away from the burning unit. If in a small room, the hot air will be moving out the door into larger spaces in no time.

How long does it take for a fireplace blower to turn on?

How long should it take for my blower to come on? 10-20 minutes depending on the interior of your fireplace.

What is a fireplace blower kit?

A Fireplace Blower Kit is also referred to as (Forced Air Kit, Forced Air System, Fan Kit, Fireplace Kit, and Blower Kits). Most Fireplace Blower Kits include: 1) Blower or Fan. 2) Variable Speed Control (Variable Speed Switch, Rheostat, Speed Control)

Can you add a blower to an existing fireplace?

Adding a Fireplace Blower to an Existing Fireplace A fireplace blower can be added to most existing gas or wood-burning vented and non-vented fireplaces. Once the blower is securely installed you will need to connect the electrical wiring to the junction box.

Does adding a fireplace increase home value?

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

Is a gas fireplace worth it?

Is a gas fireplace worth it? Yes! Gas fireplace benefits are incredibly attractive and convenient; especially for a busy family like yours. You'll get instant heat, pinpoint control, terrific safety and other things which a wood burning fireplace simply can't deliver.

How much does it cost to service a gas fireplace?

How much does a gas fireplace service call cost? A fireplace service call averages about $100, and for a pilot light repair, you should expect to pay $150.

Will a gas fireplace heat a room?

While a vented gas fireplace can give your furnace a break, it's no replacement. Like ventless gas fireplaces, vented gas fireplaces provide a decent amount of heat to the room in which they're located, but often need a boost from the heat of a furnace to make a room comfortable for an extended period of time.

How much does it cost to put stone on a fireplace?

Stone Fireplace Average Cost The national average cost for stone fireplace installation is $3,000 to $5,000, although an authentic masonry fireplace constructed by a stone craftsman could push the price tag up to $10,000 or more.

How much does a fireplace insert cost?

Inserts heat 1,000-3,000 sq. ft., depending on their size. You'll want to size your insert to the square footage you need to heat. Cost: $3,000-$4,000, including installation and a chimney liner.

Can I add a fan to my gas fireplace?

Adding a Blower or Fan to a Vent-free Fireplace. People often ask if they can they add a fan or blower to their vent-free fireplaces. The answer is, yes — there are many gas fireplace models that have louvers (grilles) on the front where a blower kit can be easily installed.