It is a cold day, and the temperature is dropping quickly. There is talk of a severe winter storm brewing, and you are thinking to yourself, thank goodness I have a gas fireplace. Suddenly, another thought pops into your head; can I still use my gas fireplace when the power goes out?
Newer models of gas fireplaces have an electric ignition switch and other bonus features that will require a battery backup if the power goes out. Some older models have a standing pilot, which does not require electricity to be lit. To run the blower fan, plug it into an external battery power bank.
If you own a gas fireplace and would like to know more about its features and whether or not it will keep you and your family warm when there is a power outage, continue reading this article for information that may be beneficial to you.
Knowing What to Do When the Power Goes Out
Knowing what type of gas fireplace you currently have can mean the difference between being cozy and warm or freezing your butt off in the middle of a power outage.
Not all gas fireplaces are created equal; therefore it is a wise idea to educate yourself before disaster strikes rather than waiting until you are stuck in a bad situation with no heat
In order for a gas fireplace to heat your room during a power outage, two things need to run. First, the fireplace has to turn on, and second, the blower fan has to run to send heated air into the room.
Let’s go through both these items and make sure you are ready for any weather power outage emergency!
Gas Fireplace Ignitions
Standing Pilot and Intermittent Pilot Ignitions
If you have a gas fireplace that was installed in the early nineties, you will most likely have a standing pilot, which does not require electricity in order to be lit when the power goes out.
Standing pilots are still available today. However, they are not as common due to all the bells and whistles that newer models of gas fireplaces are offering.
As with anything, there have been advances and improvements in the gas fireplace industry over the past few decades. Newer, more efficient ways of operating and upgraded features have dictated the need for an alternative way to light and keep a gas fireplace running optimally.
Most new gas fireplaces now have what is called an Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI) to light the pilot. These systems require a battery backup or alternate power source in order to operate during a power outage.
We’ll look at both types in more detail and discuss how they’ll perform during a power outage.
Gas Fireplaces With a Standing Pilot
A standing pilot is a flame used to ignite gas appliances, heaters, and fireplaces. This style of ignition means that a small flame stays lit all of the time even if you are not using the unit.
The most common issue with a standing pilot is that the flame can go out if it is exposed to airflow or a sudden draft. Some of these systems may have an ignition system that can relight the pilot for you, while some may need to be lit manually.
A backup battery pack can be installed and wired directly into a standing pilot system, so you don’t have to manually light it if the pilot is out, and it will also help to run the blower if there is one.
Gas Fireplaces with an Intermittent Pilot Ignition
An intermittent pilot ignition is designed to shut off once the appliance or fireplace is lit. This method of ignition is much safer and more cost-efficient because you do not have a continuous flame that needs to stay lit.
The downside to an intermittent pilot ignition is that if the power goes out, so does your way of lighting your pilot.
Fortunately, most new gas fireplace models come with a backup battery system in place. All you have to do is keep batteries on hand for when the power does go out. If you happen to have a model that did not come standard with a battery backup, you can have one installed.
Here is a battery pack for sale specifically for gas fireplaces. Of course, do not forget to buy batteries!
One word of caution: Do not install the batteries in the battery pack as the heat from the fireplace may shorten these batteries’ lives. Only install them when you need to ignite the fireplace during a power outage.
Alternate Power Source for a Gas Fireplace Ignitions:
So what do you do if your model of gas fireplace does not automatically come with a battery backup? You can purchase them online or through a local professional and get advice on installing them.
The following two items are examples of what a typical battery backup looks like for a gas fireplace.
This is an example of what a battery backup looks like for a gas fireplace. They may vary in size and price depending upon the model of the gas fireplace that you have.
Other information about this product:
- The approximate cost for a battery backup like this is around $15.00
- This model requires two D batteries (not included)
- This particular model can be used on some different brands of gas fireplaces but not all; you will need to cross-reference your model to be sure of what brand and size you need for your gas fireplace
- This product can be used if the power goes out or if there has not been electricity run to the fireplace initially
Lennox™ OEM Battery Backup with Wires
Here is another example of a battery backup for a gas fireplace. This particular model is designed for Lennox brand gas fireplaces.
Other information about this product:
- This battery backup can be used for FMI™ and Lennox gas logs, stoves, fireplaces and inserts
- This battery backup can be used on natural gas or liquid propane units
- This battery backup will fit the following brands: Comfort Glow™, Comfort Flame™, Desa™, FMI, Vanguard™, and Vantage Health™
- This product costs approximately $35.00
Most manufacturers recommend that you remove the batteries from the backup power supply until the power goes out; otherwise you are wasting battery life, and they may not work when you genuinely need them
2. Gas Fireplace Blower Fan
In addition to powering the ignition when the power goes out, the next most important thing is to get your blower fan working. But what is a fireplace blower?
A fireplace blower is a specific electric fan installed under a fireplace. It does not generate heat but effectively moves the hot air into the room. The blower fan can efficiently disperse the heat generated by the gas fireplace into the room.
Although your gas fireplace will still turn on, it will only provide minimal heat if the blower fan is not running; having a blower fan is an asset for the following reasons:
- It can be easily installed along with a thermostat to kick on and off when necessary
- Keeps warm air circulating throughout the entire space or house
- It saves gas because you are circulating warm air and won’t have to run the fireplace on such a high setting
- Your home will warm up faster
More About Blower Fans
There are different types of gas fireplaces that use intermittent pilot ignition. There are also direct vent or ventless gas fireplaces. The following section will go into more detail about the two different types of gas fireplaces.
Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces
The first type of gas fireplace we will discuss is the direct vent gas fireplace. It is the most common of all. This type of direct vent gas fireplace has a sealed combustion chamber that will pull fresh air from outside and allow the dangerous fumes to vent out through the existing chimney to ensure that you have safe air quality in your home.
Since the dangerous fumes are vented outside, you can rest assured when the power is out that you and your family are not breathing in harmful toxins.
Direct vent gas fireplaces can be used when the power goes out. If your model does not have a blower fan, you should have one installed before the cold weather arrives.
Ventless Gas Fireplaces
Now that we’ve touched on direct vent gas fireplaces, let’s move on to ventless gas fireplaces.
Ventless gas fireplaces work by using the air that is already present in your home. They draw the air in and recirculate it back into the environment. This is one major con to this gas fireplace style because it can reduce the quality of the air you are breathing.
Although the air quality can be significantly reduced when using a ventless gas fireplace, they do offer more heat during a power outage because the air is being vented directly back into your home and not out of the chimney or vent pipe.
How to Run a Gas Fireplace Blower Fan During a Power Outage?
- In your direct vent fireplace, remove the lower panel (should easily pop off)
- Look for the blower fan under the fireplace (see image)
- Look for a household electric plug under the fireplace
- Unplug the fan from the outlet
- Plug the fan into a battery power-bank
- Turn on the fireplace and wait a few minutes.
- Once the fireplace temperature reaches a certain level, the blower fan will automatically start.
- Enjoy the warm room air coming from your fireplace!
- Once the room is warm, monitor the external battery power bank to ensure you do not unnecessarily drain the battery.
- For peace of mind, consider a Carbon Monoxide detector
Which Battery Power Bank to get for Your Gas Fireplace Blower Fan?
There are hundreds of external power banks on the market. Choose one that could not only run your gas fireplace blower fan, but one that will also charge your phone or even run your Wi-Fi internet (check my article here:)
My personal choice is this highly-rated large-capacity battery power bank from Amazon. It should run the average blower fan for over 10 hours. You can recharge battery power banks using solar energy, or even your car!
Test Your Rig! Get Professional Help to Avoid Issues
Before any power outage, it is essential to do a dry run. Get things ready, shut down the circuit breaker to your fireplace, and try to run it without electricity. Consulting with someone who is accustomed to installing and maintaining a gas fireplace is the safest thing to do when you’re looking to install a battery backup for your gas fireplace. When getting help from a professional, you will not have to worry that you have purchased the wrong item, and they can even install it for you.
Preventative Maintenance Equals Preparedness
In the event that the power does go out, you don’t want to worry about whether or not your fireplace will work. It is best to keep your gas fireplace adequately maintained throughout the entire year, so you are prepared in the event of a power outage.
The following text will give you safety tips and information on how to keep your gas fireplace well maintained and in good working condition:
- Annual Inspections: It is essential to have a professional contractor inspect your unit every year. You don’t want to have something go majorly wrong when you need your gas fireplace the most.
- Carbon monoxide detectors: Be sure you have plenty of carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house in case of a gas leak.
- Check batteries: Always check your batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and be sure to have plenty of extras on hand. Also, be sure to have plenty of batteries for your fireplace unit as well. Don’t be left in the cold, because you forgot to get batteries.
- Clean vents: It is super important to make sure your vents are clean so you can maintain safer air quality in your home. Clogged vents can cause you to breathe in dangerous fumes.
- Inspect and clean logs: Be sure the logs are cleaned at least once per year or more if you use your gas fireplace frequently. If you don’t clean them, soot can build up and affect the way it works.
- Safety Screens: Although you are not burning wood like a traditional fireplace, the glass and front area of the fireplace can get very hot. It is an excellent idea to keep a screen or some safety guard in front of the fireplace to keep little hands from getting burned.
The previous information is basic recommendations to ensure that your gas fireplace is running to its optimum capacity. If the power goes out, you won’t have to wonder about whether or not everything is working properly; you will know.
Importance of Air Quality
The CDC recommends that with any type of gas fireplace, you should keep carbon monoxide detectors in every room of your home. There are over 500 deaths per year due to gas appliances and fireplaces that are being used in improperly ventilated spaces.
It is recommended that when using a ventless gas fireplace:
- You keep a window cracked for some ventilation.
- You shouldn’t let a ventless gas fireplace run for more than a few hours at a time due to the poor air quality that it produces and the fact that it can get very hot and become a fire hazard if not monitored closely.
Now that you know more about why the air quality inside your home is so important when you own a gas fireplace, let’s take a look at some carbon monoxide detectors that will help you ensure your air quality is tip-top.
Using Your Gas Fireplace When the Power Goes Out
This article has covered the different types of gas fireplaces that most people commonly have in their homes and has explained how they work when the power goes out. Now that you know the facts, you can be sure that your gas fireplace is up to snuff before the bad weather hits and you are left in the cold.
My Fire Place Does Not Have a Blower Fan!
No worries, SecureHomeHero has you covered. Installing a blower fan is a relatively easy and straight forward process. Check out my article here!
How About My Wi-Fi During a Power Outage!
You are right, the kids will drive you crazy, plus you need the weather and news. SecureHomeHero can help you run your Wi-Fi even when the power is out. Check out my article here!