Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ section of our site. Here you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our products and services. Whether you're looking to buy a new fireplace or need help with maintenance and repairs, we're here to provide you with the information you need.
Commonly Asked Questions
How often do I replace batteries in my remote control for my fireplace?
Remote controls will often need to be replaced a few times a season, although the remote control may not be in use, they communicate with the fireplace through radio frequency, and in turn use small amounts of battery power.
Does my fireplace work without power?
All gas fireplaces work without the power, however, in some cases you may need batteries to do so. There are 2 types of gas fireplaces, Spark ignition and Millivolt. Spark ignition models will often times come with a factory installed battery holder, or a battery holder with a small DC plug in lead. Once you locate the battery holder you will install 4 AA's to run main burner operation. Although the fan wont run with out electricity, the radiant heat from the fireplace will be enough to warm the room.
How often should I get my fireplace or my HVAC system serviced?
We suggest annual preventative maintenance, this will help to keep your appliance in good working order. Our experience with customers that are vigilant about annual service have less emergency calls and prolong the life of there equipment.
Why do I get a cold draft from my chimney?
This is a very common problem in cold climates, chimneys (when cold) often pull air in through the flue. Transfers of cold come in when the home calls for air, often times getting it from the fireplace flue. Another cause of cold air is lack of insulation in the fireplace chase. Chase's are wood structures/enclosures that accommodate the steel flue required for prefabricated fireplaces. If you have a sealed fireplace, the pilot helps to keep a warm bubble of air behind the glass, this helps to prevent cold transfer through the glass and into the room.
Why do I get smoke back into the house when I have a fire?
This age old problem can only happen for a very specific set of reasons. First, check to see if the damper is open, then before starting a fire, pre heat the chimney to reverse the draft. You can preheat the chimney with a rolled up news paper which you extend above the flue. Next check chimney height, making sure that your chimney extends the appropriate distance above the nearest peak at 10'. This is called the 10 foot 2 rule, which means, if you can draw a line 10' horizontal from the back side of the chimney to were it would meet the roof, the chimney should extend past that horizontal line by 2 foot. Chimneys that are closer than 10 foot horizontally should be 2 foot above the nearest peak. Finally, negative pressure, this phenomenon occurs when the house has evacuated all of its combustion air. Negative pressure is caused by appliances in the house that use room air, one of the biggest culprits is kitchen vent hoods, which can evacuate more than 400 Cubic Feet of air per minute. Other offending appliances are clothes dryers, bathroom vent fans, and water heaters. Negative pressure can be eliminated by bringing in make up air to the house through external sources.
How often do I replace my furnace filter?
Depending on the size of the filter will determine the length of time we suggest for replacement. Filters that are 1" thick should be changed every 3 months, thicker filters can get as much as 6 months and as many as 8 months. MERV ratings are also a factor, the higher the MERV rating the faster the filter will plug, we recommend starting with a MERV 8 filter.
When should I replace my furnace?
There are several schools of thought regarding this topic. Furnaces with regular preventative maintenance can last much longer than furnaces without. We find an average life expectancy to be in the 17 years range. During your preventative maintenance checks, a qualified technician can give you an estimated life expectancy of your existing equipment. This can be determined on combustion analysis and overall condition of the furnace, as well as previous service history.