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gas fireplace-Replace thermostat w/switch

14K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  kenmac 
#1 ·
we have a ventless gas fireplace with a thermostat. on occasion, fireplace will automatically start up (dangerous). we want to replace thermostat with on/off switch. is that possible? is it a special switch (heat resistant)?
 
#6 ·
If the thermostat is mounted on a wall, why not replace it with something like a Honeywell 1000 heat only thermostat? It has a built in on-off function and sometimes a regular wall type switch tends to create a great deal of resistance causing a "no heat" situation (will not light) if the fireplace only uses a millivolt type circuit.
 
#7 ·
If the thermostat is mounted on a wall, why not replace it with something like a Honeywell 1000 heat only thermostat? It has a built in on-off function and sometimes a regular wall type switch tends to create a great deal of resistance causing a "no heat" situation (will not light) if the fireplace only uses a millivolt type circuit.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply.
no, my problem is that there is a thermostat (w/thermocouple) attached to the fireplace gas unit and a dial is the adjustment for the temp setting. i want to remove this switch and replace it with an on/off switch so it doesn't come on automatically.
 
#8 ·
a dial is the adjustment for the temp setting. i want to remove this switch and replace it with an on/off switch so it doesn't come on automatically.
is this dial on the gas valve? If so you are talking about a snap action hydraulic gas valve. If this is the case. You would need to replace not only the gas valve, but potentially the pilot assembly, add a thermopile and then wire in a wall switch.

I may be off and not understanding, but from the sounds of it, this would be necessary if your gas valve has the dial on it.
 
#9 ·
dial is on the gas valve.
my last home had gas fireplace w/pilot lite. when we wanted flames, we turned up the valve and it ignited just like a stove would.

thats what i'd like to get back to, instead of a fireplace that acts more like a furnace and automatically comes on when the temp drops. i was trying to get by, by hopefully just replacing the thermostat with an on/off switch instead of a new log set.
 
#10 ·
you are going to have a lot of time and money wrapped up in this..... also not to mention a dangerous situation if you are unfamiliar with working with gas appliances. It can be done, but I don't recommend by a DIY person. Best to get a pro involved, but by the time you do that, you may be getting into putting a different log set in.......
 
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