Annual Gas Fireplace Service and Cleaning in Sioux Falls

Annual service on a gas fireplace means we clean and inspect the burner, pilot, logs, glass, gasket and vent cap, and read the gas pressures, so a worn part shows up before winter instead of during it. In Sioux Falls annual service and cleaning typically runs $175 to $350 per fireplace. Any repair we find is priced separately, and you decide before we do it.

Why once a year

Both manuals we work from say so. Heat & Glo says the fireplace should be inspected before use and at least annually by a professional service person. Napoleon’s GD33 manual says inspected before use and at least annually by a qualified service person, and that more frequent cleaning may be needed with heavy lint from carpet or bedding. MidAmerican Energy gives the same advice for every gas appliance: have a qualified heating professional regularly perform inspections and maintenance.

The case is strong here. Sioux Falls averages 7,248.5 heating degree days a year (NOAA normals, Foss Field), and the cold builds fast through fall:

A fireplace that sat all summer goes from idle to working within a few weeks. September and early October are the easy months to have it looked at.

What the visit covers

• Pilot and burner. We check the pilot flame pattern and strength and clean the pilot hood and burner ports. Dust and lint in the pilot often weaken the flame slowly until it no longer reaches the sensor.
• Gas pressures. Heat & Glo’s service list includes verifying manifold and inlet pressures. We read both with a manometer and write them down.
• Sensors. On standing pilot units we test the thermocouple and thermopile. On electronic units we inspect the flame sensing rod for soot, corrosion and wear, as Heat & Glo’s list calls for, and polish or replace it.
• Logs and glass. We check log placement, clean the inside of the glass, and inspect the gasket. Heat & Glo says homeowners may only clean the outside of the glass and that glass removal is for a qualified service technician.
• Controls. Remote, receiver, wall switch or thermostat, and the batteries.
• Vent and cap. We look at the termination cap for blockage and check the vent joints we can reach.

The vent cap in a Sioux Falls winter

A direct-vent fireplace breathes through its cap on the outside wall or roof. Heat & Glo tells homeowners to check the termination cap for plants, bird nests, leaves, snow and debris. Napoleon’s GD33 manual says that in really cold conditions ice can build up on the terminal and should be removed as required, and lists a blocked vent as a cause of a blue, lazy, transparent flame. With 45.3 inches of normal snowfall a year here, a low cap can drift over. Keep it clear, and let it cool before you touch it.

Signs you should not wait for the yearly visit

• The pilot will not stay lit, or the flame goes out and relights. See pilot and ignition repair.
• The glass has a white film that keeps coming back. See foggy glass or white film.
• Soot on the logs or glass, or a flame that looks lazy.
• Any smell of gas. Leave the house and call MidAmerican Energy, or Crooks Municipal Gas in Crooks and Renner, from outside.

Prices for any part we find are on the pricing page, and our FAQ answers the rest.