How to Turn Off a Gas Fireplace for Summer (Complete Guide)

By GasFireplaceFixer.com · Gas Fireplace Repair Guide

⚠ Safety First: Always shut off the gas supply valve before performing any hands-on maintenance. If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call your gas utility.

Properly shutting down your gas fireplace for summer protects the unit, saves on gas costs, and ensures it starts up reliably next fall. The process is straightforward but there are a few decisions to make about how to handle the pilot light during the off-season.

Should You Leave the Pilot Light On All Summer?

This is the most common question homeowners have about summer shutdown. Leaving the pilot on year-round costs approximately $5-10/month in gas and keeps the thermocouple active — which some technicians argue prevents moisture buildup in the valve. Turning it off saves that cost and slightly extends thermocouple life. For most homeowners, turning the pilot off for summer is the better choice, particularly in humid climates where a running pilot helps less than you might expect.

Step 1 — Turn Off the Main Burner

Turn the wall switch, thermostat, or remote control to OFF and confirm the main burner flame has extinguished. Wait 5-10 minutes for the firebox to cool before proceeding.

Step 2 — Turn Off the Pilot Light

Turn the gas control knob to the PILOT position, then to OFF. The pilot flame should extinguish. On IPI (intermittent pilot ignition) systems, simply turning the unit off extinguishes the pilot automatically — there is no standing pilot to shut down separately.

Step 3 — Turn Off the Gas Supply Valve (Optional)

For maximum safety and gas savings during the off-season, turn the dedicated gas shutoff valve for the fireplace to the closed position (handle perpendicular to the pipe). This is good practice, especially if you have children in the home or are leaving for an extended period. Remember to reopen this valve before attempting to relight in fall.

Step 4 — Clean and Cover the Fireplace

With the fireplace cool and gas off, vacuum the firebox to remove dust and debris. Clean the glass with a fireplace glass cleaner — removing residue before summer prevents it from baking on during the off-season. Close the glass doors. You can loosely cover the firebox opening to prevent insects from entering, but don't seal it completely as some airflow prevents moisture buildup.

Preparing for Fall Startup

Before the first use of the heating season, reopen the gas valve, relight the pilot per the manufacturer's procedure, test the main burner, and run the fireplace for 30-60 minutes to burn off seasonal dust. If the pilot won't light or hold after relighting, the thermocouple likely needs cleaning — a normal result of summer inactivity.

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