Fireplace Tips / FAQ’s
Selecting Your Fireplace
If you’re a homeowner who is thinking of getting a fireplace, the choices can seem overwhelming. Below are a few questions to ask yourself to get started:
Lighting Your Pilot Light
Below are tips regarding lighting your pilot light. If you have questions, contact Select Fireplaces for assistance.
✓ Caution: Always remove your fireplace glass prior to lighting your pilot.
✓ Locate gas supply valve (typically behind louvers, below glass opening – may be red or blue).
✓ Open valve by pivoting handle to be parallel to the gas line.
✓ Locate pilot assembly with spark igniter (located behind and below logs in the firebox – typically in the bottom centre).
✓ Then locate the red or black igniter button*.
✓ Push igniter to verify spark at the pilot area.
✓ Locate the black or green valve control knob (knob with the words “On, Off and Pilot” on it).
✓ Push in and rotate counter-clockwise until the word “pilot” is in the 6:00 o’clock position.
✓ While pressing and holding in the valve knob (in “Pilot” position – it should press in about ¼”), press the red piezo button repeatedly (once per second) until the pilot ignites.
If the pilot does not light, wait 5 minutes and try again.
✓ Once the pilot is lit, continue to hold the valve knob in for 30 seconds, then slowly release.
If the pilot light goes out, contact Select Fireplaces for service.
✓ Remember to shut the gas supply valve off.
✓ If it remains lit, press the valve knob in slightly and rotate counter-clockwise until the word “On” is in the 6:00 o’clock position.
✓ Finally, turn the unit’s ON/OFF switch (or wall switch or remote control) to the “ON” position to start your fire.
✓ Make sure you put the glass front back on the fireplace prior to burning your fireplace.
✓ Make sure the glass is securely clamped on, at all points, prior to replacing the front.
*If you do not see a red or black spark igniter button, you do not have a manual ignition system. If power is actively supplied to your fireplace, simply turn the on/off button, wall switch or remote control to “On” to ignite your main burner.
Note: some valve assemblies may be inverted in their brackets.
Cleaning the Glass on Your Fireplace
The glass on a gas fireplace can become dirty due to the combustion process.
✓ The white film that builds up can be easily removed with a special "wax-like" cleaner available at Select Fireplaces.
✓ Using a paper towel or soft cloth, apply 2 tablespoons of the cleaner per side over the entire surface. Let dry for 10-15 minutes. Wipe off.
✓ Never use residential glass or oven cleaners to clean your fireplace glass.
✓ The dust that collects in the units with doors or louvers can easily be removed with a vacuum or soft cloth.
✓ If you have a fan in your fireplace, make sure that you wipe the fan blades free of dust and grime to prevent the fan from getting out of balance and becoming noisy.
✓ If your glass has an excess of dark carbon build up, we recommend contacting Select Fireplaces, as it is likely the unit is not burning correctly.
Other Tips
Consider contacting Select Fireplaces to set up an annual maintenance plan for your fireplace to ensure it is always operating at peak performance. Meanwhile below are some tips showing a few proactive steps that you can take to ensure greater heating efficiency and safety, and to prolong the life of your fireplace.