The fireplace should give you a warm feeling during the cold period in your home. But what will you do when the fire is raging while the room is still cold? This may mean low fire, poor heat transfer, or a fireplace taking longer time to warm up the room. There are various causes of ineffective heating from your fireplace. Poor air flow, dirty chimney, wet firewood, damage to parts of your fireplace or improper settings could be some of them. And the cause might depend on the type of your fireplace, whether it is wood, gas or electric one.
If you are a resident in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Centennial, Parker, CO and other neighboring places, fireplace servicing would give you insight into the problem before it gets worse with the change of weather.
Quick answer: Why doesn’t my fireplace heat the room? There are such reasons as improper air flow, wet wood, dirty chimney, broken gas burner, or an undersized system. You need to check the basic elements and the type of fuel you use.
1. Your Chimney May Have Poor Airflow
The proper ventilation process is required in order to allow the wooden fireplace to function properly. The ventilation process is very important in the evacuation of smoke and gases from your home. Proper ventilation is also very important for the combustion process. Poor ventilation results from a blocked chimney due to build up of soot, creosote, leaves, and nests by birds. This results in poorly burning fires with smoke being trapped in the room.
Note: It is essential to ensure that the damper is always open before burning any firewood. Do not close it during the burning of the fire. If there is smoke in your living quarters, stop the fire and check the chimney.
2. You May Be Using Wet or Poor-Quality Firewood
Different types of wood will yield different amounts of heat. Fresh wood contains additional water. The fire consumes all the energy to get rid of the moisture rather than to warm up your room. It can lead to a low-burning fire producing more smoke and giving off less heat. There is also more risk of creosote being deposited in the chimney.
Use seasoned hardwoods such as oak or ash when available. Moisture content in the firewood should not exceed 20%. Measurement of moisture content is done using a moisture meter.
Note: Firewood should be stored in a dry and ventilated area. The firewood should be raised in order to stay dry at the top but allow ventilation in between.
3. The Fireplace May Need Cleaning
There are some deposits like ash, soot, etc., which may form inside the fireplace. In a wood-burning system, the excessive ash formation may impact the air flow through the fire in the fireplace. For a gas fireplace, the dust formation near the burner may impact the flame of the fireplace. Dirty glass can also make a gas fireplace look less efficient even though it is not so. However, it should be noted that cleaning the glass alone cannot solve a problem if there is any damage done to the burner, vent, or other components.
The type of cleaning needed depends on the type of fireplace as well. The wood-burning systems require attention to the firebox and chimney, whereas gas fireplaces require cleaning of the burner, ignition system, etc.
Warning: It is not advisable to clean the fireplace when it is hot. Also, do not use common household cleaners for cleaning gas fireplace glass unless it is recommended by the manufacturer. In case of the presence of soot and other deposits, get the fireplace inspected by professionals.
4. Your Gas Fireplace May Have a Burner or Gas Supply Problem
The flames of a gas fireplace are expected to match the specifications of the manufacturer. The presence of small or irregular flames may point to a dirty burner, problem with the supply of gas, or a problem with one of the components in the gas fireplace. Another list of possible reasons may include poor gas valve, clogged venting, problems with pilot light, and limitation control on heat output.
First, it is necessary to check the thermostat and remote heat settings in accordance with the owner’s guide. In case the heat output is low despite all the above-mentioned checking, it will be possible to conduct a professional check of burner, gas pressure, ignition, and ventilation.
Quick Answer: In case the flame of a gas fireplace is weak even if the heat setting is correct, it is not advisable to tamper with the gas valve.
5. The Fireplace May Be Too Small for Your Room
All fireplaces are not built to heat up the whole house. Some types of fireplaces are meant just to give comfort in one particular room, while some provide a better type of room heating. In case your living room is big or has very high ceilings or connects with other rooms, then it is likely that your fireplace will not manage to heat up the whole room. This doesn’t automatically indicate that your fireplace is defective.
Your fireplace BTU output must coincide with the room that you wish to warm. Your insulation, ceiling height, windows, and outside temperatures are the other elements that contribute to how warm the room will be.
Note: Close the windows and doors when needed, pull down the curtains to reduce heat loss through windows, and check if there are any drafts around the doors. If your fireplace includes a heat distribution fan, consult the operating instructions.
6. Damper or Vent Is Allowing Excess Air To Escape
There is a lot of heat that may escape the chimney through the fireplace when you burn wood. When the damper remains open even after the fire has been put off, excess warm air escapes through the chimney. This will make your room even more cold due to the escaping air, despite the fact that the room may have been heated by the fireplace. Inadequate chimney draft and improper fireplace insert installation can be other causes of lack of heat from the fireplace.
For a conventional wood-burning fireplace, the damper should only remain shut once the fire and embers become completely off. Closing the damper while there is still burning material or embers will lead to damage and problems. Ventilation for gas fireplaces is different. Do not try to keep warm air inside the home by blocking vents of your gas fireplace. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
7. A Fireplace Fan or Blower May Not Be Working
Some gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts have a fan which pushes the warm air into the room. The fan being operational will be very important to help in the distribution of the heat. Dirtiness of the fan, old age of the motor, and electrical connections issues could result in less warmth getting into the room. In such a case, there will be a production of flames from the fireplace but still the surrounding is cold.
It is important to check if the fan switch is ON and whether the particular fan has a delay before it starts to run. Some blowers will start working only once the fireplace attains some temperatures.
Note: Never open the electrical parts when the system is connected to electricity.
8. Your Fireplace May Need Repairs or an Inspection
In case everything mentioned above has been done, but the warmth is not produced in the room, there is probably a problem with the mechanics. Some cracks and damages, gas control problems, fan motor issues, or chimney liner problems might interfere with safe operation. There are some cases when problems cannot be detected without system testing.
Homeowners from Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Centennial, Parker, and Highlands Ranch will be able to book a fireplace inspection when heating performance changes. The same thing applies to homeowners from Greenwood Village, Southeast Aurora, Littleton, Cherry Hills Village, Franktown, and Elizabeth.
Tips: It is best to do a maintenance inspection of your fireplace before the coldest season of the year comes. If it is too long since the last inspection, the current one will help to figure out how the device should be maintained and repaired.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| What You Notice | Possible Cause | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Wood fire burns weakly | Wet firewood or poor airflow | Use dry wood and check the damper. |
| Smoke enters the room | Blocked chimney or poor draft | Stop using the fireplace and arrange an inspection. |
| Gas flame looks weak | Dirty burner or gas supply issue | Check normal settings and call a qualified technician. |
| Room stays cold near the fireplace | Low heat output or heat loss | Check drafts and confirm the unit suits the room. |
| Warm air does not circulate | Blower or fan problem | Check normal controls and arrange service if needed. |
| Fireplace produces unusual soot | Combustion or airflow problem | Stop use if operation appears unsafe and request an inspection. |
| Heat drops after some use | Possible component or venting issue | Have the fireplace checked. |
| Fireplace works less efficiently each winter | Buildup, wear, or maintenance needs | Schedule a professional inspection. |
When Should You Call a Fireplace Professional?
Some basic checks can be conducted safely by the homeowner, however, some checks on gas, electrical issues, and chimneys might need professional help.
You should consult a professional about the fireplace when:
- The fireplace generates significantly less heat than before.
- The gas flame is weak, inconsistent, or colored differently.
- Smoke comes into the house when burning wood.
- The blower or ignition system malfunctions.
- There is damage to the fireplace components and excessive soot accumulation.
- You keep facing issues despite checking the basic settings.
Warning: In case of any smell of gas, do not touch the switches and attempt to reignite the fireplace. You should leave the property, go to a safe place, and contact the gas utility company.
Fireplace Heating Problems in the Denver Metro Area
The Colorado climate during winter seasons can have some effects on the heating process of the homes. Outdoor temperature, wind and variations in airflow can affect comfort levels of rooms.bHomeowners in Castle Pines and Castle Rock should consider issues like heat output, venting and performances of the fireplace in their elevations. Homeowners in Centennial, Parker and Highlands Ranch should consider the large living room or open spaces where the fireplace will be placed.
Homes in Greenwood Village, Southeast Aurora, Littleton, and Cherry Hills Village should take into account some issues like design of the fireplaces which can range from traditional wood burning fireplaces to the new gas fireplaces. Franktown and Elizabeth should take into account factors like the shape of the property, wind direction, and fuel type.
The causes may not be the same everywhere. An inspection can help to know whether the cause of the problem is due to cleaning, airflow, fuel, malfunctioning or heating capability of the fireplace.
Claus Chimney Pros offers residents of Denver Metro chimney cleaning, chimney repair, and fireplace services.
How to Keep Your Fireplace Producing Enough Heat
With the right maintenance, your fireplace will function well without any problems that may arise with it during winter.
- Fuel: Fuel the fireplace appropriately; use dry and seasoned wood if using a wood-burning fireplace.
- Chimney: Conduct maintenance and cleaning of the chimney according to recommendations.
- Controls: Make sure that the thermostat, remote, and wall switch are all working.
- Gas fireplace maintenance: The burner, ignition system, and venting of the gas fireplace needs to be inspected periodically.
- Vents: Do not obstruct the vents that are essential for the safe running of the fireplace.
- Look out for changes: Notice weak fire, odd smell, smoke, and reduced heating capacity.
- Following the manual: Consult the owner’s manual when cleaning and maintaining the fireplace.
Good to Know: Annual maintenance of the fireplace is a good beginning point for many of them, but the proper schedule of maintenance and cleaning is different for each fireplace.
Having Trouble With Your Fireplace Not Providing Enough Heat?
Your fireplace that doesn’t give enough heat during cold weather will make the season even harder on you. There could be an easy solution to this like using wet wood or wrong settings or something more complex like a blocked chimney, faulty components, or even gas fireplace issues.
When you’re having problems with your fireplace and need an inspection, Claus Chimney Pros can assist in finding out the problem and how to go about it. The company offers chimney cleaning, chimney repair, and fireplace services to residents in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Centennial, Parker, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Southeast Aurora, Littleton, Cherry Hills Village, Franktown, Elizabeth, and the surrounding areas.
