By Daniel Watkins, Noble Chimney Sweepers.
Every September we get the same question about gas fireplaces: the pilot light was shut off in the spring, so how do we get it going again, and was turning it off the right call in the first place? Both halves have a straightforward answer, and the relighting step is one of the few things on a gas appliance that a homeowner can reasonably do without a technician.
Whether to shut the pilot off in summer
On a standing pilot system, the small flame burns continuously all year unless you turn it off. Shutting it down for the warm months saves a modest amount of gas and keeps that heat out of the room during air conditioning season, which is why many people do it.
There is a real argument on the other side. The pilot flame keeps the firebox and the vent slightly warm, and that warmth discourages the condensation that corrodes burner components and vent parts. Homes with damp basements or fireplaces on an exterior wall tend to benefit from leaving it lit.
Either choice is defensible. What matters more is that the appliance and its venting get looked at once a year regardless of which one you make.
Relighting it, step by step
The instructions on the plate behind the lower access panel are the authority, and they take precedence over anything written here. The general sequence is consistent across most standing pilot units.
Open the lower access panel and find the gas control valve. Turn the knob to OFF and leave it there for five full minutes so any accumulated gas clears. Do not shortcut this step. Then turn the knob to PILOT, press it down, and click the igniter repeatedly while watching for the pilot flame through the viewing slot. Once the pilot lights, keep the knob pressed for roughly 30 seconds to let the thermocouple heat up, then release it. If the flame stays lit, turn the knob to ON.
Stop immediately if you smell gas at any point. Leave the house, and call your gas utility from outside.
When it will not stay lit
A pilot that lights and then dies as soon as you release the knob is almost always a thermocouple or thermopile issue. That component senses the pilot flame and signals the valve to keep gas flowing, and over years of heating and cooling it weakens or gets coated. It is a wear part, and replacing it is routine work.
A pilot that will not light at all points elsewhere: a clogged pilot orifice, a failed igniter, air in the gas line after a long shutoff, or a closed shutoff valve somebody forgot about. A flame that burns lazy and yellow rather than crisp and blue usually means the orifice needs cleaning.
Why the annual check is not optional
A gas fireplace produces almost no visible residue, which makes it easy to assume nothing is happening inside it. Plenty is. Spiders and insects build in pilot assemblies and burner ports over the summer, and a partially blocked port changes how the appliance burns. Glass gaskets harden, logs get nudged out of their specified positions, and vent components corrode where moisture has been sitting.
Log placement deserves particular mention. Ceramic logs are positioned by design, and a log shifted out of place can cause sooting and interfere with proper combustion. It is easy to move one while cleaning and never realize it mattered.
That is what a gas fireplace tune-up covers, along with checking the venting, which matters as much on a gas appliance as on a wood-burning one. Homeowners booking gas fireplace and chimney service in Shorewood in early fall get it handled before the first cold weekend.
Noble Chimney Sweepers is certified, bonded and insured, owner-operated, and I have 14 years in this trade. You get the price up front, listed on our pricing page. Call (708) 432-5747, 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn the pilot light off during the summer?
Either choice works. Turning it off saves gas and keeps heat out of the room, while leaving it lit reduces condensation inside the firebox and vent. Damp locations favor leaving it on.
How do I relight the pilot on my gas fireplace?
Follow the instructions on the plate behind the access panel. In general: knob to OFF for five minutes, then to PILOT, press and hold while clicking the igniter, hold about 30 seconds after it lights, then turn to ON.
Why does the pilot go out as soon as I let go of the knob?
That is the classic sign of a failing thermocouple or thermopile. It senses the pilot flame and holds the valve open, and it is a normal wear item to replace.
The pilot will not light at all. What now?
Common causes are a clogged pilot orifice, a dead igniter, air in the line after a long shutoff, or a shutoff valve left closed. Anything beyond checking the valve is worth having looked at.
Should the pilot flame be blue or yellow?
Blue and crisp, wrapping the thermocouple tip. A lazy yellow flame usually means the orifice needs cleaning and the appliance is not burning as designed.
Do gas fireplaces need the chimney swept?
They need the venting inspected annually. There is little soot, but corrosion, blockages, and nesting debris affect gas venting just as much, and the consequences are less visible.
Does it matter where the ceramic logs sit?
Yes. Logs are positioned to a specification, and one moved out of place can cause sooting and interfere with combustion. Their placement gets checked during a tune-up.
What if I smell gas?
Stop, leave the house, and call your gas utility from outside. Do not operate switches or try to relight anything. Once it is cleared, call us at (708) 432-5747 for Shorewood or nearby, 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM.
Published September 9, 2026