Full Time Heating & Cooling · Watertown, MN
Gas Fireplace Repair From Technicians Who Diagnose First
24/7 Emergency Service5.0 Rating · 200+ Google ReviewsMN Bonded #MB792165
FIREPLACE WON'T LIGHT OR STAY ON?Tell us what it's doing and we'll call to set up a diagnostic visit.
We'll call within one business day. No obligation. Your information stays private.
Gas fireplace insert opened up for service, with the log set, glass panel and ember bed removed and laid out on a drop cloth
What We Repair, and What We Don't
Full Time repairs, cleans, and maintains existing gas fireplaces of major brands, including older models, gas inserts, and freestanding gas heating stoves, including gas potbelly stoves, that heat rooms. We do not repair kitchen appliances, including ovens, cooking stoves, ranges, or cooktops. We do not service wood-burning fireplaces or vent-free (unvented) units, and we do not install new fireplaces or provide chimney work. If your gas fireplace can't be repaired, or if the parts it needs are no longer available, our experienced gas fireplace repair specialist will say so plainly and can point you toward a company that handles replacement.
What Causes Most Gas Fireplace Problems
Details below
Gas fireplaces have a short list of components that fail repeatedly. Knowing which one is acting up narrows the repair fast.
Dirty or Blocked Burner Ports
Faulty Gas Valve
Igniter and Wiring Issues
Pilot Assembly Problems
Remote and Wall Switch Failures
Gas Fireplace Repair Pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Fireplace diagnostic | $95 |
| Thermocouple or thermopile replacement | $150 – $250 |
| Spark igniter repair | $50 – $150 |
| Gas valve replacement | $350 – $600+ |
| Remote control installation and pairingStarting price | Starting at $225 |
| Blower fan replacementStarting price | Starting at $400 |
Ranges depend on the unit, part availability, and access.
How We Diagnose a Gas Fireplace Repair
Our gas fireplace repair technician doesn't start with assumptions. On arrival, they run through the full system: pilot assembly, igniter, thermopile or thermocouple output, gas valve operation, wiring connections, and burner condition. That sequence matters. A weak thermopile reading and a dirty pilot orifice can produce identical symptoms, but the repairs are different. Skipping steps means fixing the wrong thing.
Once the cause is identified, you'll hear what was found in plain language, along with the parts and labor price for the fix, before any work begins. No repair starts and no parts are ordered until you approve that price. If the repair makes sense given the unit's age and condition, that's what gets done. If the system has reached the end of its useful life, or the part it needs isn't available anymore, we'll say that plainly and can point you toward gas fireplace services options that fit your situation. We won't pressure you either direction.
Full Time tech with a see-through gas fireplace burning cleanly after a maintenance visit, slate tile surround
Chaska: Repairing a 32-Year-Old Heatilator for $894
It had stopped lighting reliably after 32 years of steady use, a Chaska homeowner told us about their Heatilator GC300 gas fireplace. On the first visit, about 30 minutes in, our technician began the cleaning and inspection and found a ruptured burner assembly and a failed igniter assembly. Before ordering anything, we researched the correct parts for this model and gave the homeowner an accurate repair price so they could decide whether to move forward.
Once approved, the parts had to be ordered. The second visit took about 90 minutes: we replaced the burner and igniter assemblies and completed the cleaning and inspection. The fireplace was operating as it should when we finished. Total for both visits, cleaning and inspection plus the burner and igniter repair: $894. A unit this old is often still repairable if the right parts exist, and replacement isn't automatic just because of age.
"I can't say enough about how Jason and Levi handled their work to clean, assess, and repair our Heatilator gas fireplace... persistence in troubleshooting and following through a tricky, difficult repair to a 30+ year old fireplace." — Dave L., Google review
Mound: Repairing a 30-Year-Old Heat & Glo for $485
It wouldn't hold a flame, a Mound homeowner said about their 30-year-old Heat & Glo gas fireplace, which had been running intermittently for a while before it stopped keeping the flame lit at all. Diagnosis found the cause was a failed pilot assembly. We replaced the pilot assembly, cleaned the fireplace, and inspected it for safe operation. The work took about 1 hour 45 minutes. Total for the cleaning and inspection plus the pilot assembly repair: $485. Even at 30 years old, a fireplace that won't hold a flame is often a single-part fix, not a sign it needs to be replaced.
"I had my basement fireplace fail me on one of the coldest days this season... Jason resolved my issue, getting a 30 year old Heat n Glo working and looking brand new." — Deb M., Google review
Why We Often Recommend Cleaning and Inspection With a Repair
When a gas fireplace is opened up for repair, it's often the right time to clean accessible areas and inspect the burner, pilot or ignition components, glass and gaskets, and overall operation. Cleaning can reveal debris or deterioration that wasn't visible before, and a broader inspection can turn up a concern beyond the one symptom that prompted the call. We explain and quote any additional work before proceeding, and nothing beyond the original repair happens without your okay.
This isn't a mandatory add-on. If you only want the specific problem diagnosed, you can request the $95 focused diagnostic instead. The exact service steps for your unit also depend on its model-specific manual, which our gas fireplace repair technician follows rather than applying a one-size-fits-all checklist.
When to Call for Gas Fireplace Repair vs. Waiting
Some fireplace problems are cosmetic. Others involve gas, and those don't wait.
Gas Smell: Leave the Area, Then Call Your Gas Utility and 911
Call Now: Fireplace Shuts Off Mid-Use
Call Now: Flame Looks Abnormal, Soot, Odor, or Repeated Shutdown
Can Wait Briefly: Remote Control Stopped Working
Can Wait Briefly: Cosmetic Glass Haze
Gas Fireplace Repair Backed by Real Accountability
A few things that are specific to how we work -- and that matter when someone is working on a gas fireplace in your home.
Fully Insured
100+ Calls Last Heating Season
No Commission-Based Technicians
Prompt Scheduling, and Gas Smells Handled the Right Way
Plain Language Diagnosis
Gas Fireplace Repair Alongside Other Heating Services
Gas fireplaces are part of a home's overall heating picture, and we service more than just the fireplace itself. If your furnace, boiler, or heat pump is also showing signs of wear, we can assess those systems on the same visit. We handle furnace installation, boiler services, and heat pump services throughout the area. If indoor air quality is a concern during heating season, that's something we can address as well.
For homeowners who want to get ahead of problems rather than react to them, scheduling fireplace maintenance alongside your heating system tune-up makes practical sense. Fewer service calls, fewer surprises when the temperature drops.
What Homeowners Say About Our Gas Fireplace Repairs
Real feedback from gas fireplace repair customers.
5.0 · 200+ Google reviews
Read all reviews
-
Cleaning and pilot assembly · Rockford
Jason did a great job. Excellent communication had the issue with the fireplace fixed very quickly. Very knowledgeable and I'll be keeping their number at the ready for future repairs.
-
Thermopile repair · Mound
Jason and Luke came out to my home and repaired my 20 year old gas fireplace. I had attempted much of a DIY repair…and you know how that can sometimes go! ... After some testing, he quickly determined what was wrong and replaced the thermopile that I had toasted. Perfect repair, he cleaned the inside, and left the fireplace scrupulously clean and operating better than it has in years.
-
Heat & Glo repair · Mound
I had my basement fireplace fail me on one of the coldest days this season. I reached out to Jason and he was able to get me on the schedule quickly. From start to finish, Jason resolved my issue, getting a 30 year old Heat n Glo working and looking brand new.
Ready to Get the Fireplace Working Again?
Call or text (952) 847-3387 to schedule a gas fireplace repair. We'll diagnose the actual problem and give you a straight answer on what it takes to fix it. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 first, that's not something to wait on a scheduled visit for.
Or send us your info
FAQ Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers below
Who do I call to work on a gas fireplace? +
Our experienced gas fireplace repair specialist -- not a general handyman. He brings 10 years of hands-on gas fireplace repair experience to every call. Gas valve work, pilot assembly service, and thermopile replacement all involve gas lines and safety controls that require proper diagnosis and handling. Full Time Heating & Cooling is fully insured and handles gas fireplace repair throughout the Twin Cities West Metro. Call (952) 847-3387 to schedule.
What does it cost to fix a gas fireplace? +
It depends on what's actually wrong. A thermocouple replacement is on the lower end of the range. A gas valve replacement, electronic ignition module, or control board repair costs more. Parts availability on older units can also affect the total. Most gas fireplace repairs fall in the $150 to $600 range, though complex jobs on older systems can run higher. Every job is different -- contact Full Time Heating & Cooling for an accurate estimate.
What is the average lifespan of a gas fireplace? +
Most gas fireplaces last 15 to 25 years with reasonable maintenance. The cabinet and burner assembly typically outlast the components that wear out: thermopiles, gas valves, igniters, and control modules. A fireplace that's 12 to 15 years old with a failed thermocouple isn't a unit that needs replacement. It needs a thermocouple. We'll tell you honestly if repair makes sense or if parts availability for your specific model has become a real constraint.
Why does my gas fireplace light and then immediately go out? +
This is almost always a thermocouple or thermopile problem. The sensor isn't generating enough electrical output from the pilot flame to convince the gas valve to stay open, so the valve closes as a safety measure and the flame goes out. It can also result from a misaligned or dirty pilot assembly that produces a weak flame the sensor can't read correctly. Either way, it's a diagnosable, repairable problem, not a reason to replace the unit.
Are orange or yellow flames around my gas fireplace logs normal? +
Usually, yes. Most gas fireplaces are designed to show yellow or orange decorative flames around the logs. That's a different flame than the small pilot, and the two shouldn't be judged by the same color standard. Those larger flames should still match the pattern shown in your manufacturer's manual. If you also notice soot, an odor, or the fireplace shutting down repeatedly, turn it off and schedule a service call instead of guessing from a description.
What color should my gas fireplace pilot light be? +
A pilot flame should generally burn blue and hold steady, reaching the sensor the way your model's manual specifies. Some propane pilots can show a small yellow tip, which is normal. This is a separate standard from the larger decorative flames around your logs, which are often yellow or orange by design.
Why is my gas fireplace pilot flame orange or yellow instead of blue? +
A pilot that's consistently yellow or orange and lazy-looking can point to restricted airflow, dirt in the pilot assembly, or another operating problem. Color alone doesn't tell you the cause. A technician should inspect the pilot before we recommend cleaning, adjustment, or part replacement.
How big should my gas fireplace pilot flame be? +
There's no single correct height that applies to every fireplace. The flame needs to reach the sensor and ignition area the way your specific model's instructions call for, and that spec varies by manufacturer. A pilot that's too small, too large, or positioned wrong can cause lighting problems or shutdowns, so bigger or smaller isn't automatically better. This is also not something to adjust yourself; the pilot flame is set at the gas valve, and an incorrect adjustment can affect how it reads the sensor. Have a technician check it.
Our promise
If we can repair it, we will.
No unnecessary replacements.We fix what's actually wrong and explain your options.
Keep Reading
Updated October 2026
More Services
- Makeup Air HandlerNegative pressure, hard-to-open doors, or exhaust backdraft? Full Time diagnoses and installs makeup air units. Fully insured. Call (952) 847-3387.
- 24/7 Emergency Service24/7 HVAC repair across the West Metro. Call anytime. $250 after-hours fee. Press 3 for emergencies. Bond #MB792165.
- Rooftop UnitRTU repair, maintenance, and diagnostics for commercial rooftop package units. Fully insured. 24/7 emergency response. Call (952) 847-3387.
- Rooftop Unit ReplacementRooftop HVAC unit failing? Full Time diagnoses first, replaces only when repair doesn't make sense. Fully insured. Call (952) 847-3387.
- Thermostat UpgradesThermostat replacement and smart upgrades from a repair-first HVAC company. We diagnose first, recommend second. Call (952) 847-3387 anytime.
- Zone SystemsZone control splits your home into independently heated and cooled areas. Stop paying to condition rooms nobody uses. Call Full Time Heating & Cooling for an honest assessment.