Before you light a gas fire for the first time this winter, take a few minutes to look it over. Check for soot or staining, make sure the vents and chimney aren’t blocked, and watch the flame once it’s lit. If anything looks wrong, don’t use it. Gas fires should be serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, just like a boiler, and we look after gas fires and other appliances as well as heating systems. Here’s what we’d suggest for homes in Bath and the surrounding villages.
Why gas fires need checking
A gas fire burns gas inside your living room. If it’s working properly, the fumes go safely up the chimney or flue. If something is wrong, such as a blocked flue, a damaged part or poor ventilation, those fumes can spill back into the room. That’s where the risk of carbon monoxide comes from.
Many gas fires sit unused from spring to autumn. Over that time, birds can nest in chimneys, debris can fall into the flue, and dust can build up inside the fire. The first use of the season is exactly when problems show up.
Safe checks you can do yourself
Before lighting the fire, with it switched off and cold:
- Look for black soot, brown staining or scorch marks on the fire, the surround or the wall above it
- Check any air vents in the room are clear and haven’t been covered or blocked
- Make sure nothing is stored in front of the fire or too close to it
- Check your carbon monoxide alarm works by pressing the test button
When you light it, watch the flame. On most fires it should be mainly blue and steady. Decorative living flame and coal effect fires are designed to burn with more yellow, so compare it to how it normally looks and to the manufacturer’s guide.
Warning signs to stop using the fire
Turn the fire off and leave it off if you notice:
- A lazy, floppy flame or a change in its usual colour
- More soot or staining than before
- A smell of fumes or gas when it’s on
- Condensation on the windows in that room
- The fire going out on its own, or struggling to light
- Headaches, dizziness or nausea in the household that ease when you’re away from the room
Never try to take a gas fire apart, clean the burner or clear a flue yourself. That’s work for a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas, turn off the supply at the meter if it’s safe, open doors and windows, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
What happens during a gas fire service
A service usually includes:
- Checking the fire is burning correctly and safely
- Cleaning the burner, coals or ceramic parts where needed
- Checking the flue or chimney is drawing properly
- Testing safety devices that shut the gas off if something goes wrong
- Checking ventilation for the room
It’s often easiest to book it at the same time as your boiler service, so all your gas appliances are checked in one visit.
Gas fires in Bath, Keynsham and the surrounding villages
Many homes around Bath and North East Somerset have older fireplaces with gas fires fitted into original chimneys. Georgian and Victorian properties in Bath, and stone cottages around Keynsham, Radstock and the Chew Valley, often have chimneys that are tall, old or shared with neighbours. Those chimneys can need more attention than a modern flue. Some homes also have an older back boiler behind the fire, which should be checked as part of the same service.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a gas fire be serviced?
Once a year is the usual recommendation, ideally before you start using it regularly in autumn or winter. Some manufacturers set their own service schedule, so check the instructions for your model. If the fire has been unused for a long time, have it checked before you light it again.
Is a yellow flame on a gas fire dangerous?
It depends on the type of fire. Many decorative living flame fires are designed to burn with a yellow flame. On other fires, a flame that has turned yellow or orange, or looks lazy, can mean the gas isn’t burning properly. If it looks different from normal, switch it off and get it checked.
Can I use my gas fire if the CO alarm goes off?
No. Turn the fire off straight away, open doors and windows, leave the room and get fresh air. Don’t use the fire again until a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked it. If anyone feels unwell, seek medical advice and mention that a carbon monoxide alarm went off.
Get your gas fire checked
If your gas fire hasn’t been looked at for a while, give us a call on 07308 355 077 or drop us a message and we’ll come and check it over before you need it this winter.