Smart Home Automation For Your Gas Fireplace

home automation gas fireplace

If you have a gas fireplace that uses millivolt technology to ignite the pilot light, you can add smart home controllers and remotes for more functionality. These can control the heat, flame height and more. You can also connect them to home automation systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and use voice commands to operate your fireplace.

These controls are available as upgrades to your existing fireplace or in standalone units. You can find them at many online and brick-and-mortar retailers. They range in price from about $60 to over $300 depending on the features you want. These devices connect to your existing gas log set via an RF (radio frequency) signal or a battery powered emergency module that works in the case of a power outage.

They do not require hard-wiring to your existing system and work over a standard WiFi network. They can be used on a smart phone, tablet or computer with the appropriate app installed. Some have a display that shows the temperature in the room and enables you to set an operation timer ranging from 15 minutes to 9 hours.

Some are designed to work with a single gas fireplace while others are compatible with several models and manufacturers. Durablow, for example, makes a multi-function remote control that lets you select multiple operating modes from the transmitter with an LCD display. You can also set a thermostatic mode that automatically modulates the flame height based on the room temperature. This feature saves energy and money by reducing the amount of fire fuel needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Other controllers offer additional features like childproof settings and a built-in fan to quickly warm your space. They can even monitor your home for carbon monoxide and house fires and switch off the fireplace in the event of an alarm. Some have a small camera that can be activated by a push of a button on the device or remotely via an app.

Before you buy a smart controller for your gas fireplace, it’s important to check with your local township or homeowners association to make sure adding any type of smart home controls is legal. Generally, you can’t add an automated gas fireplace system without approval from the municipality, especially one that allows you to control it with an app and from more than 20 feet away. Some cities may also require a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector in the vicinity of a gas fireplace for safety reasons.

A couple of smart thermostat companies have developed products that are compatible with millivolt ignition systems and connect to Alexa and the Google Assistant. These include the Lux Geo and the GoControl Smart Thermostat. There are a few more options that use Z-Wave and can be connected to hubs such as SmartThings but most seem to be out of stock or have been discontinued.

In the end, the best option for most might be to integrate their home with a Wifi smart socket from a company such as iHome or Ecobee. These plug into the outlet behind your gas fireplace and enable it to be controlled from a smartphone app, voice-activated or with other automation systems. They can even detect whether a house is occupied or not and can turn off the fireplace if no one is there.