If your electric fireplace keeps shutting or This is located at the back of the gas valve. But an unplugged appliance happens more than you think. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Well, dont worry, we have an entire article thatll help you understand the reasons in detail. Although many electric fireplaces do not require a dedicated circuit to operate, some do. If your gas fireplace includes a remote, it could be the source of your problems. To reset your unit, locate the module that has the reset switch setting. These two wires mesh-up and create havoc. Kozy Heat explains the thermopile pairs with a thermocouple to decide when the fireplace should be on or off. Most electric fireplaces are built for indoor use only. The reason for this is that some fireplaces have more than one heating element in them. Any other idea what could cause it to come on by itself? Now, most people dont have a remote controller for their fireplaces. The most likely and often simplest cause of your electric fireplace going on and off (even extremely regularly) is your thermostat settings. 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. Ensure that the blower is working You can also check out what fireplaces and stoves Im currently using here. The solenoid is stuck open. Next, make sure the plug is working. And today well explain why a gas fireplace turns on by itself. You can now turn your Heat & Glo fireplace on, by using a remote control, or a wall switch. Good luckI hope you can get your fireplace working correctly. Model is MFB28-2 if that matters. You don't have ghosts,,,,just a "sick" thermopile. I have a Lenox direct vent insert with only a remote, no wall switch. However, they are not immune to problems. We know pretty obvious stuff. But when they turn it back onit would not release gasuntil you manually light the pilot. So, shall we take a peek at it then? At the same time, other wires can also cause this problem. Otherwise, just replace the control board. 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. If your electric fireplace wont turn on: Ensure Well also talk about how to troubleshoot these pesky problems and how to fix them. Check to ensure the heater blower or wherever the heat is dispersed into the room is not blocked by anything. Rub a pencil eraser along the glass frames to clean any smudges or marks off the glass. turning off, and wont stay on: The Something as simple as a replaced bulb can cause your electric fireplace to shut off unexpectedly. Plug something else, like your toaster, into the plug and see if it works. Check Make sure nothing is blocking where the heat is coming out. Your electric fireplace may be making a the fireplace off at the main switch on the appliance, or on the wall. So the first and most apparent check is to make sure its plugged in. It has been cold (15 degrees) here in SC--could this be the problem?? If the toaster isnt getting any juice either, then youll need to troubleshoot the power supply. They provide the same cozy ambiance and heat without the hassle and mess of traditional fireplaces. But if it is damaged by any means it can cause serious trouble to the gas fireplace. Faulty wiring in the plug may cause this and may require an electrician. Also, faulty power supply short-circuited wiring leads to this issue. A regular fireplace only heats the air that is directly in front of it, but a blower will continually circulate warm air around . over time and use, and cause an electric fireplace to make a squeaking noise. An in-depth guide for 2023, Can electric fireplaces be used outdoors? If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. trouble when using the electric fireplace for the first time. An electric fireplace can have a number of The thermopile is a thick metal rod with two wires coming off of it. The fix for your unit turning on and off may be as simple as resetting the unit. This article discusses why an electric fireplace can turn on by itself and the possible remedies. The flames on an electric fireplace arent for sure. that the heater element is clean and the blower is working efficiently. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating? Everything in this fireplace SEEMS to function properly except the lights. Remove any dirt or dust from Inspect the fuse on the stays at this temperature. 4. I've seen them last 20 plus yearsif you leave your pilot on "all the time"even the off season. 4 Reasons why gas fireplace turns on by itself. If everything checks out ok, you may wish to replace the thermostat anyway. If your room has bad insulation, your room can lose heat extremely quickly, so you might find that your electric fireplace turns on and off frequently. If the thermostat is not the culprit, you need to check the heater element for continuity. Restricted inlet airflow is one of the most popular causes of overheating if the thermostat is not the culprit. Electric fireplaces typically shut off when they overheat. This is to let you know what the current temperature in the Do NOT touch any of the parts while the fireplace is plugged in. The screw that keeps the thermocouple in position must now be loosened. Turn on the gas and breaker, then turn on the fireplace to ensure it works. your electric fireplace has a thermostat, ensure that the dial is set to a Check to see if your fireplace is still The first and most important consideration when looking at the functioning of an electric fireplace is whether or not the device is on a timer or has a clock. Furnace Not Working After Duct Cleaning? Electric fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. First, you will need to turn the gas valve on the front of the unit to the off position. Very Helpful Thank you so Much. 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. 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. Ensure that the fireplace is Next, put a tarp down, in front of the fireplace. 3. How do you ensure that a red herring doesn't violate Chekhov's gun? From what I read it could be a stray signal? My dad used to have a gas fireplace and when he went down to his radio shack and started transmitting, the fireplace would often kick on. You see, the damaged thermocouple or remote might be the reason. However, on a careful analysis, the reasons will appear logical. fireplace as an example for each problem, showing what the manufacturer You may even want to lightly vacuum the glass panels to remove dust or debris. It maintains the room at a comfortable setting, but the thermostat can experience a handful of issues that could malfunction. The most likely cause of this problem is that wiring is burned or shorted out. There are numerous causes for overheating including a malfunctioning thermostat, dust and dirt build-up, and blocked inlet or outlets. that the fireplace is plugged in and turned on at the wall. Yes, you read that right. 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. 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. Mine just started on its own while I was using a dell laptop i n the room. 2. In Electric Fireplaces, Indoor Fireplaces by James O'KellyNovember 20, 20197 Comments. 4. Do you have a standing pilot on your fireplace? Great post! 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. Make certain bulbs are screwed in tight. Check our guide at the bottom of this article for how to reset your electric fireplace. fireplace to get access to the main components (I have a guide here So, if it malfunctions, you may see some disturbance with its primary function. If that is the case, then the electric fireplace might need its own circuit. heating up and cooling down. Heat & Glo fireplaces will sometimes turn on and off without signs of why. a $3 switch was the solution to a fireplace that keeps turning itself off. The fireplace heater will on the high heat switch will make the heater blow on the highest heat setting. When room temperature dips below the set temperature, the fireplace will turn on by itself. Does a gas fireplace have an automated shut-off switch? I have searched and searched and haven't seen this issue come up. Ensure turn on, wont heat or the fan is blowing cold air: Ensure 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. An electric fireplace makes a clicking 3. Allow your electric fireplace time to cool down if you have been using it. No, no t-stat in the remote.We turned the gas and pilot off after it had happened several days in a row. Much like a wall timer, a wall switch can become problematic. flames or heater are well lubricated. room. Turning a thermostat dial to the left typically 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. sizes, shapes and designs, and have a number of electrical components, which Ensure that the inlet and It only takes a minute to sign up. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Kenmore Elite Dryer Not Heating? Our articles, products and services are for informational purposes. If the noise you are hearing is squeaky, you may need to lubricate the flame illusion log. If it does not light right away, wait a few minutes and then try again. The on mark should line up with the hashmark to the side, to indicate that it is set to on. The heating element may have burned out, in blown bulb. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. Similar to #1, if there is no voltage, but it is open, it's likely stuck. Many problems with your electric fireplace are pretty easy to troubleshoot and fix on your own. The fireplace has separate switches to control Therefore, ensure to check your remote control status and switch the batteries or replace it if needed. 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. Home Arise shows how a damaged switch can turn on the fireplace without your input. Recently when we start it, the igniter continues to fire for a minute or so after the gas has lite? Copyright 2022 Temperature Master | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact. If you do have a remote control receiver, it's easy to eliminate that as the problem because you can just disconnect it. Inspect your breaker for tripped lines. I can set my preferred room temperature on Turn the thermostat up to the highest setting and make sure it is set to heat. Here are four possible reasons for this problem. 3. A blocked outlet from the fireplace heater The good news is that there are several causes and solutions to repair your gas fireplace. 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. Turn the thermostat up to the highest setting and make sure it is set to heat. If you hear any rattling noises, push the cord into the wall firmly. room temperature. Allow a couple of minutes to see if the heat comes on; once it does, reset the thermostat for the desired temperature. Next, check the unit to make sure it is not overheating. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Not Heating? The question now arises, Read More Do electric fireplaces need their own circuit? Check to make sure the switch is actually in the on position. So if the fireplace was on already and you disconnect the main power, I would expect the fire to stay on. air from circulating through the heating element and providing warm air to the This is under the fireplace, where the other electronic pieces are located. Turning on the low heat Fireplace burner - air mixing valve needed? To check if your electric fireplace has excess dust, turn off your fireplace at the wall and unplug it from the socket. If the batteries are running low, theyll have random power surges. After you have the glass removed, check your igniter by clicking it a few times, to make sure that its getting a spark. The heater element will be located inside the electric fireplace. Turning on by itself means it could potentially start a fire when you are away or asleep. 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. This causes miscommunication in the wiring system. I'll do a closer inspection and make sure that the wires are in tact so it doesn't happen again in the future but I do think that is it. Can someone please help identify what is wrong with it and hopefully, how to fix it? How Long Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Burn For? Faulty Master Switch. Usually, the electric fireplace wont start if the thermostats temperature setting is lower than the room temperature. Another mischievous element responsible for the core issue is the wires. Common problems with the heater can include not 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. Do a deep clean of the motor, blower, and all other moving parts by cleaning off all dust and dirt. More seriously, a short circuit may happen when the breaker instantly trips after being reset. the lighting components inside the fireplace for signs of any problems, such a You will need a wrench for this. For instance, if you set the thermostat dial at 29C (84F) in winter, the fireplace will keep warming the room until that temperature is attained. That lets you know it is back on. This will sort out the problem. Sometimes, a stuck button or a damaged remote interface could be the reason the device powers itself. 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? will prevent the warm air from being distributed into the room. This includes dust or dirt build-up as well as more obvious to spot objects like carpet. ghost. An overloaded extension is a dangerous place to plug in your electric fireplace. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. temperature set on the thermostat. If the unit is still not working, you will need to replace the thermocouple. If it doesnt trip, then you know you had too many things plugged into it. Ensure component looks like from inside: If your electric fireplace heater wont The light will blink from red to green, if the unit is locked out, and needs to be reset. Check the electric fireplace's fuse. clicking noise as the temperature in the room rises above and falls below the The main reason behind this is always the faulty parts. Periodically cleaning your electric fireplace is a must whether you are experiencing problems or not. As a reference, below are the set of Ensure that the dial is set above the Since the switch is delaing with millivolts . Fortunately, you can test and replace the thermopile and thermocouple on your gas fireplace. Electric fireplaces have a thermostat dial that controls the temperature of the room. To troubleshoot if this is the problem, try recreating it by plugging the electric fireplace into another outlet. Find the inlet to your electric fireplace and check that nothing is blocking it. 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. If your Heat & Glo is not working properly, you may need to remove the thermocouple, to either clean it or replace it. And most of the time, two wires are the main culprit. One of the main causes of overheating electric fireplaces is dust and dirt build up over months and years. Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? Something as simple as blocking the airflow out of the heater can cause your fireplace to shut off. Ensure that the rods for the on, either on the fireplace itself or using the remote. Air Conditioner Repair Near Dallas: How to Find the Best Company? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? I hope this helps explain whats going on. [Everything you need to know for a safe install in 2023], How many square feet does an electric fireplace heat? Ensure If there is power, but it is not working, then you may need to replace the switch. You will need to pull it through the mounting plate, to get it out. To fix your gas fireplaces remote, try these tips: If you have an automatic fireplace that adjusts with the rooms temperature, it has a built-in thermostat. Remember all fireplaces have automatic safety shut off because the fire is too hot or the doors are open. It is designed to "get hot and stay hot". Some How this works is: The manual ignition pilot engulfs a round piece of metal called a thermo-pile. It turned on, the flames turned on, it was 85F at the time and the unit was off, but plugged in. Hopefully, you have the answers you need. After 5 minutes, switch it to the right, back into the remote position. This can be caused by several issues. controls for my electric fireplace. 4 Common Causes (and What To Do). By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 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. Therefore, even if you dont use the remote control, the fireplace could randomly turn on itself. 2023 householdair. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Cold Water Not Working on a Washing Machine? Likewise, the fireplace will automatically light itself if the room temperature falls below a pre-set threshold. 1. One possibility is that the switch is faulty and is constantly turning the fireplace on. Thank you. If it happens again, then you need to contact the manufacturer. fireplace to provide heat on the highest setting, all three switches must be We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup, Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit With Fake Logs In Place, Main burner for gas fireplace won't stay lit (pilot light is fine), Gas fireplace flame won't stay on; both flame and pilot go out, Gas fireplace shuts off after a few minutes, Does a fireplace with switch on wall need to have the pilot on constantly. And your gas fireplace will be working like its usual self again. It was the loudest explosion I have ever heard in my life. However, starting by itself is not a good thing. Press the flame button several times to reset. As for the solution, all you have to do is change the thermocouple.