Why does my fireplace insert keep turning off?

It is a sensor that monitors the amount of oxygen that is in the room with the gas fireplace. If it detects that there is not enough oxygen present, its job is to turn off the fireplace. This is an important safety feature that protects you from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.

Why does my propane fireplace keep shutting off?





If you get dust in the pilot assembly and the pilot needs to be cleaned out, it produces a “lazy” flame, which will be disturbed by the draught of the main burners. The flame lifts away from the thermocouple and causes the temperature on the tip of the thermocouple to drop. This, in turn, makes the gas valve shut off.

Why does my gas fireplace cycle on and off?

A thermo couple is a sensor device that detects heat and permits the pilot light to stay lit. One of these devices could have gone bad or may have shorted out, causing your fireplace to turn shut down or turn back on at random.

How do you fix a gas fireplace that won’t stay lit?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If it's not been lit in a long time you're gonna have to let that that pilot in for a little to allow some gas.

How do I make my fireplace stay lit?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So here's your flame rod sensors. You're just gonna polish them up lightly with a piece of 1500 grit sandpaper. You want to get all the way around it.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You should replace the thermocouple. So to recap the readings to look for are 8 to 30 millivolts. And if the readings are less than 7million. You should replace the thermocouple.

How long does a thermocouple last on a gas fireplace?

Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?

between $150 and $250

When replacing a thermocouple or thermopile with the help of a professional, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250.

Can you clean a thermal coupler?



Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.

How do I know if my thermocouple is working?

Test the Thermocouple



If the thermocouple is working, you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it.

What can go wrong with a thermocouple?

Sudden loss of heat.



A faulty thermocouple will often “cut out” when it’s experiencing problems, meaning that it misinterprets the pilot light’s temperature and shuts off the gas. This can lead to your heater turning off unexpectedly, even though there’s nothing wrong otherwise.

How much does it cost to fix a thermocouple?



Thermocouple – $20 to $150



The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.

Can I replace a thermocouple myself?

It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas furnace?

$150 to $250

Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it’s not, it’ll shut the gas off.