What to do With Your Fireplace During Summer

Your fireplace gets plenty of attention over winter - but what do you do with it during the summer months?

Whether you have a gas fire, an electric fire or a solid fuel burning fireplace, there are a few things that you need to take care of before retiring it over the warmer months.

From giving it a good clean to updating it in time for the autumn, here are a few tips on what to do with each type of fireplace during summer...

What to Do With an Open Fireplace During Summer

Have you had your chimney swept?

This is the most important thing to do with your fire during summer! Your chimney will need sweeping after the heavy winter usage to make sure any blockages are thoroughly cleaned out. This should be done at least once a year - you might want to do this at the end of the summer to ensure no birds nests have been left behind.

It’s also essential to get it inspected for any signs of damage or leaks.

Try out some summer fireplace decor ideas

Fireplace decorated for summer with lily flower on hearth

If you are pretty sure you’re not going to be using your fire over summer, you could always shake up your decor with some summer fireplace ideas!

To do this, you need to make sure you give your fireplace chamber and hearth a thorough cleaning first.

Find out how with our Tips for Cleaning Your Fireplace

Once you have scrubbed away any soot and stains, you can have all the fun you want! Some popular ideas include placing chunky pillar candles inside it or bundles of fairy lights. For a more natural look, why not place a few plants or artificial flowers around the entrance?

If you think it’s time for a more permanent feature, you could also spruce up your fire surround with a lick of paint - just make sure you choose a heat resistant paint.

Related: Boarded Up Fireplace Ideas

What to Do With an Electric Fireplace During Summer

Electric fireplaces are ideal for summer! This is because many of them have a ‘effect’ or ‘flame only’ option, which allows you to enjoy the look of the flames, without the heat. This can help you create beautiful ambient lighting on summer evenings, even if you want to leave your windows wide open!

Of course, nobody said that British summers will be warm, either. Many of the latest electric fires also come with thermostatic control, which means they will switch off when your room reaches a comfortable temperature.

Consider some home renovations

If you’re thinking of carrying out any home renovations in the summer, have you thought about incorporating an electric fire into your plans?

Not just for living rooms, you can place them in almost any part of your house, since they don’t require a chimney and have no carbon monoxide risk! Our wall mounted fires are also easy to hang up anywhere you have a power supply - perfect for creating cosy bedrooms and kitchens, or warming up chilly spare rooms.

What to do With a Gas Fire During Summer

Gas fires tend to go into hibernation over summer months. However, there are a few things that you should have on your to-do list to keep it in top shape...

Have your annual gas fire service

As you probably know, your gas fireplace will need inspecting at least once a year. This is incredibly important to ensure that your fire is running both safely and efficiently. A service by a Gas Safe engineer will include a check of all the parts to ensure they are working - plus, with many, a thorough cleaning to ensure there are no blockages forming.

The cost of a gas fire service usually varies by the size of you fire and the type of chimney you have. Some services might include extras such as respraying the coals black or polishing the brass. A standard service is often priced between £45 and £60.

During winter, gas engineers can get really busy! As well as fitting all the new fireplaces being requested in time for winter, those with existing fires are rushing to get theirs serviced!

Book yours in during the summer months to make sure you are ahead of the queue and ready to enjoy your fire as soon as it begins to get chilly again. If it turns out you do need any repairs, it also gives you plenty of time to get them sorted.

Should you turn your gas fireplace pilot light off in the summer?

Some older gas fireplaces run off a pilot light, which burns a small amount of gas even when you’re not using your fireplace. When left on, the pilot light flame ensures you can light your fire quickly and easily. When off, you won’t be able to start your fireplace until you have reignited the pilot light.

So during summer months, it makes sense to switch your pilot light off. As you probably won’t be needing to switch your fire on for a few months, this will stop you wasting gas on keeping it running - though it is an albeit small amount!

Another reason to turn your fireplace pilot light off is to help keep the glass clean. When the pilot light is left on without igniting the main burner, sulfur can begin to build up. This causes an unwanted white film to build up.

The main problem with pilot lights is that they can be fiddly to turn on and off. Most gas fireplaces sold here at Direct Fireplaces use electric based ignition systems, which eliminates the need for a pilot light. Today’s gas fireplaces are also much more efficient. If you are thinking of updating yours, summer is a great time to do so.

Give your gas fireplace a good clean!

With your fireplace more than likely turned off during the summer months, you may have found yourself eyeing up a few signs of wear and tear!

Now is a great time to spruce up your gas fire. The glass may be cloudy, or maybe it could do with a good polish up - since you probably won’t be using it, it will stay gleaming in your room for much longer than in the winter months.

Find out how to clean your gas fireplace glass here.

You might also have been thinking about updating your fire surround ready for winter! Take a look at the many options available, such as:
Wooden fire surrounds - the perfect balance of modern and traditional
Agean Limestone fire surrounds - a clean and bright white stone known for elegance
Marble fire surrounds - ideal for a stylish yet traditional look
Black granite fire surrounds - bold and modern, they make a great statement feature
Cast iron fire surrounds - these ornate surrounds create a beautiful period style