Gas fireplaces are efficient, low maintenance, and energy-saving. The only drawback is that they can produce noise that ruins the relaxing ambiance that you should be enjoying. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your gas fireplace quieter.
Noises produced by a fireplace are caused by leaks in the burner assembly which can be detected and fixed using a water and detergent solution. Another reason could be dust buildups in the blower, in which case, removing the blower and cleaning it will make the gas fireplace quieter.
A noisy gas fireplace can be pretty annoying. But the good thing is that there are several tips that you can follow to reduce this noise.
Also read: Are Fire Doors More Soundproof?
Causes of Noise From a Gas Fireplace
A gas fireplace is an excellent addition to every home. It provides the look and feels of a fireplace without requiring you to provide wood. Instead, it uses a direct input gas and ignites it to produce flames.
However, there are times when your fireplace will make a hissing, popping, or whistling sound. It is a sign of an underlying problem that requires fixing.
Below are the reasons why your gas fireplace may produce an unwanted noise:
- Pilot light issue
- Low-quality gas fireplace
- Blocked gas supply
Improperly set pilot light
There is a pilot light in your gas fireplace, which is responsible for creating a flame. It is similar to how a gas stove works.
If your fireplace’s pilot light is not set the right way, it will produce a whistling sound while working.
You must keep your pilot light on a low setting when you first turn it on. After that, slowly increase the light to increase the flame.
If you keep the pilot light at a high setting right after turning on the fireplace, it will produce an annoying whistling sound.
Problems in the connector tube
A gas fireplace has a connector tube where the gas travels to reach the fireplace log. This tube must be correctly installed when you are installing your fireplace unit.
If not mounted properly, it will produce an unwanted sound which will ruin your relaxation time.
Another reason why the flexible tube may create noise is its build. If its material is corrugated, the tube can produce a whistling sound even when installed the right way. For this reason, you should ensure that you are using either aluminum, stainless steel, or non-corrugated connector tubes.
Poor fireplace quality
After you have checked the first two problems mentioned above and the noise keeps going on, then there is a chance that the fireplace’s quality itself causes the problem.
No matter how well you maintain your gas fireplace, it will still produce annoying noise if it had a subpar installation.
For that reason, you need to ensure that the gas fireplace system you will purchase will come from a reputable and trusted dealer. Additionally, there should always be a warranty so you can replace the unit in case a manufacturer’s defect occurs.
Gas supply blockage
An obstructed gas supply may also result in whistling noise. It does how big or small the blockage is. Even dust, dirt, or air can block the gas flow.
If this happens, the pressure that pushes the gas against the obstruction will produce noise. To prevent this, you need to keep all the attachments of your gas fireplace clean. Also, have the gas supply checked by a professional to avoid any obstruction.
Ways to Make A Gas Fireplace Quieter
Noises produced by your gas fireplace can disturb your relaxation time. It can ruin the atmosphere of your living room.
Instead of being able to enjoy the warmth it brings during the winter; you will have to worry about how to fix that noise. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can follow to make your gas fireplace a lot quieter.
1. Tighten the burner assembly
As mentioned, a popping noise made by your fireplace can mean that the joints in the burner are leaking. To find out where these small leaks are, turn the burner off and wait for the gas logs to cool down.
Once cooled off completely, remove them from the unit. It will allow you to expose the burner joints and access them.
After removing the ceramic logs, get a mixture of water and detergent and put it into a spray bottle.
Turn the burner assembly back on and observe if there are any tiny bursts of flames that are igniting around the joints.
If you cannot see any, get your spray bottle and spray a small amount of the mixture on the fittings and joints of the fireplace’s burner.
If the combination produced bubbles, then that means there is a leak around the joint. Use a wrench to tighten the fitting.
However, if you have not found any leak or the leak is in the assembly itself, you will need to call a professional. It is important to note that a gas leak is a serious and dangerous issue that requires immediate attention and fixing.
2. Clean the fireplace blower
The blower in your fireplace is responsible for pushing the warm air out so it can circulate in your room. But sometimes, it acquires dust, causing it to make rumbling noises.
To fix that, you need to remove the blower from the unit and clean it.
To remove the blower, turn off the fireplace and open the bottom grille. Next, locate where the blower is and carefully take it out from the unit. You can also take a photo of how the blower mounting and position appear.
This way, you will have a reference if you will find a hard time installing the blower back.
Once you have taken the blower out of the unit, get a brush with soft bristles and gently brush off the dust on the blower’s fan blades.
You can also use a soft cloth to wipe the fan. In addition, you should also clean the area where the blower sits utilizing a shop vacuum.
After cleaning everything, gently put it back in the unit. Then turn on your gas fireplace to test if the noise is gone. If not, then it is time to call a professional who can check the unit up.
3. Clean the gas supply and pilot light from any obstruction
If you have checked the blower and burner assembly and found no issue, then it is time to take a look at the gas supply. Before everything, ensure that the unit is in the off position and the main gas valve is tightly shut.
Take a flashlight and look into the tube of the gas supply. Once you noticed clogging with dust or dirt, that is why your fireplace is making a whistling noise.
PLEASE NOTE: It would be best if you use extreme caution when working on any gas appliance. If you are not 100% sure what you are doing, you should call a trained professional.
Get a can of compressed air and use it to blow off the obstruction to the end of the tube. Once the blockage is flushed out, use your flashlight again to see if you could clean the tube entirely.
Once done, test if you have reduced the noise. If not, then locate the pilot light and apply the same cleaning process.
The Takeaway
A gas fireplace is a beneficial home addition. It is why it must undergo regular maintenance. However, no matter how much you care for your unit, there are times when you cannot prevent it from making annoying noises when you turn it on.
The good thing is that you can reduce that noise all by yourself. That is much better than paying for a professional service.
Sources:
- Jamie Conrad, Gas Fireplace Whistling Noise, Hunker, https://www.hunker.com/13408261/gas-fireplace-whistling-noise/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.
- Kristine Tucker, Causes of a Direct Vent Fireplace Noise, Home Guides, https://homeguides.sfgate.com/causes-direct-vent-fireplace-noise-96479.html/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.
- Bob Vila, Is There a Leak in Your Gas Fireplace?, Bob Vila Radio, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/gas-fireplace-noise-bob-vila-radio/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.
- Chelsea Fitzgerald, How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Fire in a Gas Log Fireplace, Hunker, https://www.hunker.com/13416823/how-to-troubleshoot-a-noisy-fire-in-a-gas-log-fireplace/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.
- Noisy Gas Fireplace Blower? Family Handyman, https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/noisy-gas-fireplace-blower-heres-how-to-replace-it/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.
- Josh Baum, How to Clean a Pilot Assembly on a Propane Fireplace, Hunker, https://www.hunker.com/13415749/how-to-clean-a-pilot-assembly-on-a-propane-fireplace/ Accessed Apr 27, 2021.