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Gas Log Safety and Maintenance
Home » HVAC » Gas Logs » Gas Log Safety and Maintenance• Fire risks. Gas logs have the same fire risks as a normal wood fire. They involve combatable fuels, open flames, and hot surfaces. For safe use, keep flammable material away from the hot surfaces and open flames of your gas logs. Maintain a margin of clearance of any ignitable items of objects from the heart or firebox containing your gas logs.
• Moisture. When gas burns, it releases the byproduct of water. This is particularly true for ventless gas logs. This increased humidity can either be a net plus or a minus depending on the climate conditions of your home. If you live in a dry environment, the increased moisture can increase the comfort of your home. If you live in a humid environment or you home has a humidifier on its central heating system, then excess moisture build up can be a problem. A sign of excess moisture buildup is condensation beading up on the inside of your windows on a cold day. To control excess humidity, either decrease your use of the gas logs, turn off any humidifier, or possibly even consider using a de-humidifier.
• Chimney Safety. A set of gas logs is not a solution for a bad chimney. If a chimney does not draw sufficiently for a wood fire, or is not safe, it should not be used with gas logs as well. Vented gas logs give off heat and fumes just like a wood fire and require the draw of a working flue. Make sure that if your logs require a vent, that your chimney damper remains open. Some local building codes require your damper to be permanently fixed in an open position. A closed damper with vented gas logs could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Gas Leak. If you ever smell gas, immediately stop using your gas logs and call a licensed repairperson. A leak can be detected by applying liberal amounts of soapy water on all gas pipe connections and looking for bubbling activity that gives away the location of escaping gas. If a gas leak is detected immediately turn off the main gas supply valve and seek professional help from your gas company or a gas appliance professional. Do not repair a gas leak yourself.
• Carbon Monoxide. With any flame fed appliance, there is always the possible risk of inadvertent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless, colorless, lethally toxic gas that has no smell. Many people die each year poisoned in their own by this silent killer. It is particularly dangerous as it puts its victims to sleep before it suffocates them. The vastly improved technology of gas logs today has greatly reduced this risk, but user vigilance is still required. If you have gas logs in you home, always make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors in the sleeping areas of your home as well as one in the room of the gas logs. Test detectors regularly to insure continued operation. Never keep gas logs burning for more than a few hours at a time. Never sleep with unvented gas logs left burning.
• Warm Season. In the spring and summer, if you seldom use your gas logs, you can save money on your gas bill by turning off your pilot light.
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