A Quick Guide to Understanding Fireplace Controls
Controlling your fireplace is vital to deciding which one you want. Certain fireplaces come with controls, while others do not. Here is a breakdown of what each control type does and what it means for using your fireplace.
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Different Remotes
- Manual: The most basic control of a fireplace is, at its most basic, no controls. That's what "manual" refers to. You must ignite and extinguish the fire yourself manually. Traditionally, this is common with wood-burning fireplaces, though some people upgrade to avoid this.
- Remote: If manual isn't your style, you can have a remote on some fireplaces. These remotes, typically, are only on/off or have limited other basic functions. This gives the benefit of not needing to light and extinguish your fireplace by hand.
- Remote with Thermostat: An upgrade to the remote is the remote with thermostat. If you're not content with just on/off and other basic controls, what if you could change the heat output with a button? A remote with a thermostat helps you keep your home exactly the temperature you want without the hassle of widgets and doodads you might need otherwise.
- Built-In Thermostat: A built-in thermostat is the next step in fireplace control. It might sound strange for a fireplace to have a built-in thermostat, but this isn't the normal thermostat you might see on your wall — instead, this is a gas valve controlled by a temperature-sensing bulb.
Many fireplaces have various controls. We have a whole article about different fireplace pilot types, so now you know exactly what to look for in your search for the perfect fireplace. Next, let's talk about media types.
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