Winter weather can mean occasional power outages, and losing heat during a winter storm can be a daunting situation. If you don't have a generator or other power source, keeping you and your home safe from extremely cold temperatures will depend on your ingenuity. We are often asked by customers whether the fireplace products we offer can be used during a power outage. While the exact answer will depend on the specific fireplace in question, we've put together this helpful guide to answer some common queries about using a fireplace during a power outage.

Can I Use My Fireplace When The Power Goes Out?

Whether or not your fireplace will operate safely during a power outage will depend on the type of fireplace you have. Electric fireplaces are an obvious no, so we'll set those aside, leaving wood-burning fireplaces and gas fireplaces to cover.

Using a Wood Fireplace During a Power Outage

This one is pretty straightforward. If your chimney is clean and operational, you can safely use your wood fireplace or wood stove to heat your home when the power goes out. After all, that is how we heated our homes for thousands of years before the discovery of electricity and natural gas and the invention of the furnace.

One thing that's important to keep in mind is that if your wood fireplace has electrical components like a blower motor, those will not operate, which can impact your fireplace's performance. Unfortunately, pellet stoves cannot operate during a power outage because they require electricity to power the feeder and generally use an electrical ignition as well. While they have many upsides, pellet stoves are not a solution for power outages.

Using a Gas Fireplace During a Power Outage

Gas fireplaces can be a little more complex to use when the power goes out. The same provision about having a clean, unobstructed chimney applies of course. Depending on the type of ignition that you're working with, there may be additional things to consider when using your gas fireplace during a power outage. If it's a simple match-light style, all you need to do is turn on the gas and toss in a match (or use a lighter) like normal, but if it features a pilot light or some type of electronic ignition, it can be a bit more tricky.

If the fireplace uses a standing pilot and the pilot is already lit, the fireplace should operate as normal. If the pilot is not lit, you should refer to your fireplace's owner's manual for guidance on how to light it safely. These systems work when the power is out because they use a thermopile, a small device that converts heat into a small amount of electrical current. They are commonly referred to as millivolt valves.

Some modern fireplaces use intermittent or non-standing pilots. For these types of fireplaces, getting them started without electricity is a more involved task. The exact details will depend on the model you're using, but many of them are equipped with a battery backup. Be sure to know what type of batteries are required before you experience a power outage and have them on hand. The middle of a snowstorm is not the time to be running to the store for a pack of AAs.

How Do I Know if My Fireplace Can Be Used When the Power Goes Out?

There are a wide variety of fireplace models and styles on the market, and the exact details will depend on which one you have in your home. The information above should serve as a general guideline, but we always recommend referring to your fireplace owner's manual for exact details. If you don't have the owner's manual or are unsure about what type of fireplace you have, our team of product experts may be able to provide some guidance and point you to the right fireplace products for your needs. Reach out via phone, chat or email today so you can be ready in case of a power outage.