All valves are *not** created equal. There are many valve brands that are not cross-compatible, and proper identification of your valve brand is vital to the purchase of the correct replacement parts for your gas fireplace.*
Your best bet is to identify the make, model, and serial number of your unit. Often, this is all the information you will need to purchase the correct valve and relating parts for your fireplace. ClickHERE for tips on how to locate this information.
If for some reason the proper identification of the unit does not give the appropriate information on gas valve type/brand, then use the tips listed below to help you identify your fireplace’s valve.
****Be sure to turn off the gas to the unit and let it cool for at least 2 hours before continuing!**
The first step in identifying your valve is to locate it. In gas fireplaces, the valve is located in the controls area. To access it, you’ll need to open or remove the decorative front or louvers as well as any vanity panels behind the decorative front.
The control area of your fireplace will typically look something like this for standing pilot ignition systems:
Or like this for intermittent pilot ignition systems:
You may be able to identify the brand of the valve without having to uninstall the part. The brand may be listed on the controls of some valves like this one:
However, this is not common for brands other than SIT so you will likely have to uninstall the part. If you are not sure how to remove the part, contact a service professional for assistance.
Once you have the part uninstalled, look for the manufacturer sticker that is affixed to the side of the valve. It will look something like this:
All the information needed for the valve will be listed on that tag. This, along with your make and model, will be a huge help in procuring the correct parts for your fireplace.
There are many valve brands on the market. Among the most common are Robertshaw, SIT, Maxitrol, Honeywell, and Dexen. Each of these brands makes valves that function in many different ways. Understanding why you can’t replace a Robertshaw valve with a Dexen valve begins with understanding the ignition system in your unit. For more information on ignition systems, view our article HERE.
Now that you have identified the brand of your gas valve you can confidently order replacement parts. Make sure to select the proper fuel type when ordering your new gas valve. Some models are convertible and can be used for natural gas (NG) or propane (LP) but most require you to select the proper fuel type.