Heatilator E36 Gas Fireplace Manual (2024)

FAQs

Should the damper be open or closed on a Heatilator? ›

The damper must be in the fully open position when using a wood-burning fireplace. Partially closing the flue (chimney) damper can cause smoke to spill into the room when burning wood, or cause carbon monoxide (CO) to come into the room when using gas logs.

Check the thermocouple. The thermocouple can malfunction and become stuck in the “off” position, preventing the flame from lighting even if the pilot light is lit. Try replacing the thermocouple and see if this resolves the issue.

A wide-open damper will increase the amount of air reaching the fire and improve combustion. As a result, the fire will burn hotter. When you're not using your fireplace, be sure to close the damper to prevent indoor heat from escaping.

Leaving the damper open doesn't help hot indoor air escape up the chimney. Instead, outdoor air will flow down the chimney while the cool air from your air conditioner escapes. Your cooling system will work harder than it should, leading to an increase in energy bills and shortening the lifespan of your HVAC unit.

One caution, though: Fireplaces with installed gas logs are required to have the damper open at all times. That's either because a pilot light is constantly burning under the logs or because the homeowner might forget to open the damper when he or she turns on the fire.

The most like culprits are likely tied to some kind of problem with your setup. Anything from issues with your pilot light, clogged ports on burners, damage to heating components, and thermocouple/thermopile malfunctions can be to blame.

So you've checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn't, then there's probably a problem with your thermopile.

Thermopile Check While flame is on, put alligator clips that are attached to the leads of the millivolt meter to the two leads from the thermopile. Turn pilot on. Turn burners off. Readings should be between 350 mv.

A clogged or faulty burner can cause performance issues resulting in a low gas flame. In addition, carbon build-up, gas residue, and debris can inhibit the burner's ability to function correctly, leading to premature failure. If cleaning the burner doesn't solve the problem, it may need to be replaced.

The model and serial numbers are located on a “rating plate,” which is a metal plate that's usually permanently affixed to the fireplace, insert or stove. In gas fireplaces, the rating plate is found in the controls area.

Why are the flames uneven in my gas fireplace? ›

If the flames are abnormally uneven and soot residue begins accumulating, it probably means that your burners are dirty, your air to gas ratio is off, or your fire is not being ventilated properly.

The batteries for fireplaces, stoves and inserts, do not have particularly long lives. The batteries need to be regularly exchanged with fresh ones. As a safety and customer convenience feature, when these batteries get weak, an audible 'beep' will be heard.

Check the pilot light

One of the most common reasons a gas fireplace won't turn on is often an extinguished pilot light. A strong downdraft, an interruption in the fuel line, or a build-up of soot and dust can cause the pilot light to flame out.

How to Re-Light a Pilot Light. Re-lighting pilot lights is straightforward on today's modern gas fireplaces. If you have an electronic ignition unit, using your remote control simply press the 'on' button and the pilot will re-ignite within a few seconds, followed by the fireplace a few seconds after that.