Gas Fireplace Repair and Service in Denver

Gas heats about 61 to 77 percent of homes in every Denver-area city, compared with 46.5 percent nationally, and gas fireplaces are everywhere here, from built-in units in newer suburbs to gas logs in old brick fireplaces. They need less work than wood, but they are not zero maintenance. Pilots go out, thermocouples and igniters wear, glass gets coated, and vents get blocked.

Altitude matters too. Gas appliances typically need a 4 percent derate for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet, because thinner air holds less oxygen. At Denver's 5,280 feet that works out to about 13 percent. A burner that is not set up for altitude can burn rich, which shows up as a lazy yellow flame, soot on the glass and more carbon monoxide.

Signs you need this

• Pilot will not light or will not stay lit
• Fireplace clicks but the burner does not come on
• Black soot on the glass or logs
• A tall, lazy, yellow or orange flame
• Gas smell, or a CO alarm going off when the fireplace runs

How we do it

1. Diagnose for freeWe test the pilot assembly, thermocouple or thermopile, igniter, valve and controls, and tell you the cause and price before any repair.
2. Repair the partPilot, thermocouple and igniter repairs typically run $100 to $350. A gas valve or control board typically runs $300 to $1,000.
3. Check the altitude setupWe confirm the burner and pilot are set up for your elevation per the maker's high-altitude instructions, and adjust air and orifice settings where the manual allows.
4. Clean and testGlass, logs and burner are cleaned, the vent is checked, and we measure for gas leaks and check combustion before we leave.

What is high-altitude setup and why do I need it?

Gas appliances are rated at sea level. Industry guidance is a 4 percent reduction in input for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet, which is about 13 percent in Denver. Makers do this with smaller orifices, air shutter settings or a high-altitude kit. A fireplace set up for lower elevations, or one that was never adjusted, can soot up, smell, and make more carbon monoxide. We check this on every service call.

What does a yearly gas fireplace service include?

Typically $150 to $350. We clean the glass, burner and logs, reset the logs to the maker's diagram, check the pilot and flame, test the thermocouple or thermopile output, check gaskets and the vent termination outside, and look for gas leaks. Blocked vents and misplaced logs are two of the most common causes of soot we find.

Do gas fireplaces need a CO alarm?

Yes. Under C.R.S. 38-45-102, a Colorado home with a fuel-fired appliance or a fireplace needs a working carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each bedroom when it is sold, and after permitted work such as replacing a gas appliance. If your CO alarm ever sounds while the fireplace runs, turn it off, get fresh air and call your gas utility.