If you’ve just gotten your first gas fireplace you probably have some questions. That’s normal as there are lots of myths surrounding gas fireplaces. How many hours can you run a gas fireplace continuously and safely is one of the key things most people wonder and it is a good question.
Unfortunately, there are a few details that need to be specified before we can answer that but the short answer is that some gas fireplaces can be left running continuously while others shouldn’t be used for more than two or three hours at a time.
How long can you leave a gas fireplace on?
The longer answer is that fully vented gas fireplaces with properly sealed glass fronts can be left running continuously. If everything is working properly and there are no malfunctions the fireplace should have no problem operating for as long as it’s supplied with gas much like a furnace would.
On the other hand, if you have a vent-free gas fireplace or one that gas glass doors at the front instead of a fully sealed frontal side, then you shouldn’t leave it working for more than two or three hours at a time.
Of course, this is just an approximation based on how most of the common gas fireplace models work. If you have a gas fireplace with different instructions than those we laid out above you should follow them. If you’re confused or worried, don’t hesitate to contact your fireplace’s manufacturer as they will know best how their own products work.
What are the risks of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long?
When asking how long can you run a gas fireplace safely it’s also common to wonder what the actual risks are. The two main things to worry about a gas leak and an accidental fire.
The reason why you can leave a fully vented gas fireplace with a sealed glass front on for as long as you want is that there isn’t any risk of either happening. However, if your gas fireplace is not properly sealed or fully vented you can be rightfully worried about too much gas leaking out of it at small increments. That’s why a good precaution with such a fireplace is to make sure the room it’s in is always well ventilated.
The 3 basic gas fireplace types
If you aren’t sure what type of gas fireplace you have or should get, here are the 3 main types of household gas fireplaces:
- Direct vent gas fireplace – in these models the vent for the exhaust is placed through an exterior wall of your house so it doesn’t require a chimney or a previously installed fireplace. These fireplaces can usually be left running continuously as long as their front glass is properly sealed.
- Vent-free gas fireplace – these gas fireplaces work similarly to ovens and don’t exhaust their fumes outside of your home. That’s why they should never be left running for more than two or three hours at a time and the rooms they are in should always be well-vented themselves.
- Fireplace inserts – these models can be placed inside pre-existing wood-burning fireplaces. Gas fireplace inserts do have vent pipes that can connect with the original fireplace’s chimney and vent the gas that way. As long as their frontal glass is sealed well enough, fireplace inserts can be left running continuously as well.
