11Aug
Everything You Need To Know To Stay Cozy
There are many benefits of having a fireplace in your home. Not only does it create a cosy atmosphere, but it can also make your home more energy-efficient. While fireplaces are a great investment, they still require regular maintenance to run smoothly all year. Do you want to learn more about the different steps for fireplace maintenance and how to clean a fireplace? Keep reading this guide to see how to clean gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces.
How Electric & Gas Fireplaces Work
Both gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces are great options for homeowners, but they both function a bit differently. Gas fireplaces are a bit more complicated. They require venting and exhaust systems to bring air into the fireplace. Then, they use this air in a combustion process to create heat. The gas that is wasted is channelled outside through a tube in your wall, so your fireplace doesn’t emit any smoke. On the other hand, electric fireplaces are essentially heaters that look like traditional fireplaces. They simply need to be plugged into an outlet and they blow warm air into your space.
How Often They Need To Be Cleaned
If you have an electric fireplace, they do not need regular cleaning as part of their maintenance. However, like any other surface in your home, electric fireplaces can accumulate dust and debris. If you notice any dust in your fireplace, you need to clean it to keep the exterior looking nice and to make sure the inlet and outlet of the heater do not have any blockages.
On the other hand, gas fireplaces should be cleaned monthly. Otherwise, dirt and dust that build up can damage your fireplace mechanisms. Other than cleaning your fireplace, you should perform annual maintenance to inspect your fireplace for damage.
Cleaning Tips for Gas
Before you learn how to clean a gas fireplace, you must gather the right tools and familiarize yourself with the parts of your gas fireplace. You need tools to disassemble your gas fireplace, a brush, a vacuum, and more.
Here are the easiest steps to follow to learn how to clean fireplaces that use gas.
Turn Off Pilot Light
Before you begin cleaning your gas fireplace, you must turn off the pilot light and gas valve. This is a vital step for fireplace safety. There should be a valve that controls the gas near the fireplace, so turn it off and wait for a few minutes for the pilot light to turn off and cool down.
This will make sure the gas leaves your fireplace completely before you begin cleaning.
Disassemble
After you turn off the gas, it is time to disassemble your fireplace. This step will depend on the model of fireplace you have. Typically, you can remove the doors, disassemble the logs and burners, and take each piece of your fireplace out for cleaning.
Brush and Inspect
Next, you can use some type of broom or brush to dislodge the dust or grime on your decorative components and from the walls of your fireplace.
Make sure you inspect each piece of your fireplace for damage as you are cleaning. If you notice any cracks, burns, or other issues with your fireplace parts, you can replace them before reassembling your fireplace.
You should never use water or cleaner on the components of your gas fireplace. The brush should do a good job of removing the grime. Then, you can wipe it up with a dry cloth.
Vacuum Dust
As you brush the walls of your fireplace and the other components, the dust will gather at the bottom of your fireplace. You can effectively clean this by vacuuming the fireplace and the other decorative pieces.
Clean the Glass
As you use your fireplace, the combustion may cause your glass or metal to become cloudy or white. Without regular fireplace maintenance and cleaning, this can lead to permanent damage. To prevent this, you can clean the glass or metal components of your fireplace with a fireplace cleaner and a soft cloth.
Check the Vents
Finally, you need to check the interior and exterior vents. Interior vents may have a build-up of debris that clogs the flow of gas and could potentially lead to a fire hazard. If you notice any clogs, you can brush them away with a broom or bristle brush.
If your fireplace leads outside, you can check the exterior vents to see if there are leaves, animal nests, or other types of debris causing any issues.
Cleaning Tips for Electric
Because gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces are made out of different materials and have different components, they should not be cleaned the same way. Keep reading our top tips for how to clean an electric fireplace.
Disconnect the Power
The first thing you need to do before you clean your electric fireplace is disconnecting it from the power. This will ensure that you do not accidentally turn your fireplace on while you are cleaning it and you will be less likely to burn yourself or get another injury.
Once you disconnect the power of the electric fireplace, let it cool completely before you begin cleaning!
Check the Electrical Components
Next, you need to check the electrical components of your electric fireplace. This quick step will identify any potential issues with wiring and can prevent your fireplace from being a fire hazard.
If your wires or plugs are worn out or frayed, this is a potential danger to your home and should be repaired by a professional company. Make sure you don’t use your fireplace if you notice these issues.
Clean the Heater
After you do a thorough check of the electrical components, you need to clean the heater. As you run your fireplace, dust and other types of debris can build up on your heater and keep it from working efficiently.
To clean your heater, you need to use a dry cloth to wipe down the surface. Then, you can use a soft bristle brush or your vacuum to clean the outlets near your heater and to dislodge any dust or debris that has built up.
Clean the Glass
To keep your electric fireplace looking brand new, you also need to clean the glass. You may need to remove the glass to do this, but your owners manual will likely have instructions to do this step.
Then, you can use a microfiber cloth to remove lint, water spots, and other marks on your glass.
Dust on the Inside
Finally, you should dust the interior of your electric fireplace. As was mentioned before, dust often gathers inside your fireplace and may affect the efficiency of your unit. By using a dry cloth or duster, you can easily remove dust from the surfaces inside your fireplace, glass or logs, and anything else inside your electric fireplace.
READ MORE: Fireplace Safety Checklist
Learn More About Maintenance for Gas and Electric Fireplaces
While gas and electric fireplaces are a great improvement to make your home feel warm and welcoming, they require regular maintenance to function properly. By following each of these fireplace maintenance tips for cleaning gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces, you can keep your fireplace running smoothly for years.
Do you want to learn about the benefits of adding a fireplace to your home? Burning Log can help! We provide everything from wood stoves, electric fireplaces, gas fireplaces, and more.
Contact us today to get a free quote for your new fireplace!