Why Your Gas Fireplace Stinks
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces can be difficult to maintain and do not provide the same level of convenience and warmth as their gas counterparts. However, homeowners and others who enjoy spending time in front of fireplaces should be aware that gas-burning appliances provide a few unique challenges.
The logs and burner assembly used in gas fireplaces, particularly those of the Direct Vent (DV) variety, are contained within an enclosed chamber. Therefore, fireplaces with direct vents are capable of generating and disseminating far more heat than open-style fireplaces. Excess heat is produced by DV fires, and this extra heat is accompanied by circumstances that are known to induce odor from the fireplace.
Why Does It Smell Like Plastic When It’s Burning?
There is a straightforward reason for why your gas fireplace emits an odor similar to that of burning plastic, in case you were wondering. If you go for long stretches without using your fireplace, the first time you use it during the burning season, you may notice a stench similar to burnt plastic. The surfaces on the inside of your gas fireplace collect allergens such as dust from the home, dander from pets, hair, and skin cells. It’s the same thing that happens each and every year when you switch on the heating system for the first time. The dust that has accumulated here is tough to remove. Therefore, when all of that dust begins to burn off, this dust generates an odor that is really disagreeable.
It Is Typical to Experience Seasonal Burn-Off
Although we all take great pleasure in making use of our fireplaces, during the spring and summer months, we don’t often light them up at all. Because of the seasonal nature of its use, a direct vent fireplace is typically not put to good use until the autumn months, when the weather begins to turn crisper than it was in the summer. When we do decide to turn it on, there is a possibility that it will have a stench that is comparable to that of burned plastic.
It is normal for newly installed gas systems to initially have an odor; when we switch on our gas fireplace, there is a scent; nevertheless, this is not cause for concern. It is very natural to feel like this the very first time you turn the light on following the installation. When a unit has recently been installed, you could notice an odor like this at any time of the year. Gas fireplaces, like many other products that are manufactured in factories, can include lubricants, paints, and other production processes that leave debris in the route. This debris, when burned, can generate a smell that is comparable to that of burning plastic.
When you first turn on your new system, you might want to consider opening a window to let some outside air into the house. This step is only required during the very first time the product is used. After only a few brief hours of use, the odor will quickly disappear.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning San Andreas and other affordable services.