Gas & Propane Annual Services

Annual Service/Maintenance 

Gas stoves are very popular these days, and for good reason! They are cozy, warm, create ambiance, and best of all, there’s no mess, and no buying or chopping of wood. 

 But it’s important to remember that, just like a furnace, gas stoves need annual maintenance to keep them working, keep you warm, and keep those toxic combustion gasses headed in the right direction (out of your house)! Have you ever wondered what exactly needs to be serviced on a gas stove, how often, and why?

Is Annual Maintenance Important for Your Gas Stove or Insert?

There are quite a few parts involved in a gas unit. Every part should be removed, inspected, and cleaned annually. Why? Because the combustion process of the gasses should be smooth and clear to create the most heat, cleanest burn, and healthiest system for your indoor air quality. If the parts are not regularly cleaned, they can get clogged or build up moisture, which can lead to ineffective heat, corrosion, and the release of excessive carbon monoxide (which I’m sure you know, is not something to be messed with). In addition, the aesthetic of your gas stove (which is one of the most important features for most people) can only be maintained by cleaning the glass on a regular basis. Looking at all of these elements, I’d conclude that yes, annual gas fireplace maintenance is very important and is recommended by all gas stove manufacturers.

What needs to be done annually?

Just like furnace maintenance, gas stove and insert maintenance has a long checklist that should be diligently followed by your technician. They should be able to quickly rattle off or give you a printed list of all the items they will be inspecting and cleaning. Here is a great reference of the minimum to look for when your technician visits:

Remove and Clean

Glass, the logs, the burner, the pilot hood, the pilot orifice, thermocouple, thermopile, spark igniter, flame sensor, and firebox. The blower fan should also be cleaned.

Measure or Inspect

Millivolt output of thermopile and thermocouple, resistance through switch, thermostat and remote circuits. Also, electrical wiring connections should be inspected and loose wires tightened.

Glass trim and other penetrations for proper sealing as well as the gas fittings for leaks. 

Unit operation

Verify carbon monoxide levels in the leaving space to ensure they are at an appropriate and healthy level. 

Replace 

Batteries in remote, receiver, thermostat, and ignition control.

Replace ember material, parts and gasket as needed. 

Can I do this myself?  

The glass on the fireplace often needs to be cleaned more than once per year, especially if it’s your main source of heat. Major buildup of the minerals produced by combustion can cause permanent clouding if the glass is not cleaned regularly. But some units can be tricky to get into. Give your stove service contractor a call if in doubt.

For the rest of the gas stove or insert maintenance, the homeowner could in fact do all of these things, but only if they know how to perform all or most of the items on the list above.  If, however, you don’t feel comfortable performing an annual service on your gas stove, which is a fairly complex process, you can expect to pay between $200-$400 a year for your technician to service your gas fireplace, giving you near-absolute peace of mind.