Annual gas fireplace service for Verdae homes — intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) systems serviced during every visit. IPI gas fireplaces light the pilot only when the fireplace is called on and extinguish it when done — no standing pilot flame. The spark igniter electrode, ignition control board, and flame sensor each require cleaning and inspection annually. Scope confirmed before work begins.
Many Verdae homeowners with a newer gas fireplace are not aware whether they have a standing pilot system or an IPI system — the difference matters significantly for annual service, failure diagnosis, and how to respond when the fireplace stops working.
Pilot burns continuously whenever gas is supplied
Pilot lights only on demand — extinguishes after each use
The thermostat, remote control, or wall switch sends a low-voltage signal to the ignition control board — indicating a call for heat. The board begins the ignition sequence.
The ignition control board sends high-voltage current to the spark igniter electrode — typically 12,000–15,000 volts — producing a rapid clicking spark at the pilot assembly. Simultaneously, the board opens the pilot section of the gas valve to allow gas to flow to the pilot orifice.
Gas at the pilot orifice ignites from the spark. The pilot flame heats the flame sensor (flame rod/ionization sensor) tip — the flame sensor passes a small DC current through the flame to ground, which the ignition board reads as confirmation that a flame is present. Sparking stops.
With pilot flame confirmed by the flame sensor, the ignition control board sends voltage to the main burner gas valve solenoid — opening the main gas valve. Gas flows to the main burner ports beneath the log set and is ignited by the established pilot flame.
While the main burner is running, the ignition control board continuously monitors the flame sensor signal. If the flame sensor signal is lost (pilot extinguished by a draft or fluctuation), the board closes the main gas valve within 1–3 seconds as a safety measure — preventing unburned gas from entering the firebox.
When the thermostat, remote, or switch signals off, the ignition control board closes both the pilot and main burner gas valves. Both flames extinguish. The fireplace returns to standby state — no gas flowing, no standing pilot — until the next call for heat.
The igniter electrode generates the high-voltage spark that lights the pilot. The tip must be clean, positioned at the correct gap from the pilot hood (typically 1/8–3/16 inch), and free of carbon deposits. A carbon-bridged electrode produces a weak or absent spark. Annual service includes cleaning the electrode tip and verifying the spark gap.
A metal rod positioned in the pilot flame — passes a small ionization current through the flame to confirm its presence to the ignition board. A contaminated or oxidized flame sensor produces a weak signal that the board rejects as "no flame detected" — causing lockout or continuous re-ignition cycling. Cleaning the flame sensor rod is the single most common IPI service action.
The electronic brain of the IPI system — sequences the ignition, monitors the flame sensor, and controls both the pilot and main burner gas valve solenoids. Boards typically have a diagnostic LED that flashes error codes when a fault is detected. Error codes read and documented during annual service. Failed boards replaced — not repaired.
The pilot assembly holds the igniter electrode, flame sensor, and pilot orifice in a fixed geometric relationship. A dusty or spider-web-blocked pilot orifice is the most common reason an IPI fireplace sparks but fails to ignite the pilot. Annual service includes blowing the pilot orifice clear and confirming a stable pilot flame when lit.
Converts household 120V AC to 24V AC to power the ignition control board and gas valve solenoids. A failed transformer causes total system failure — no spark, no valve response, no operation. Transformer output tested with voltmeter during annual service.
High-voltage igniter wire (spark lead) and low-voltage flame sensor wire both routed from the ignition board to the pilot assembly. Cracked insulation on the igniter wire causes the spark voltage to arc to ground rather than the electrode tip — producing audible clicking with no spark at the pilot. Both wires inspected during annual service.
No clicking sound when the fireplace is turned on indicates the ignition board is not sending current to the igniter. Possible causes: failed ignition board, transformer not supplying 24V, or no call signal reaching the board from the thermostat/remote. Board error code checked first.
Clicking confirms the board is working and the igniter is sparking. Pilot not lighting despite sparking: blocked pilot orifice (spider web or debris), pilot gas valve not opening, or spark gap too wide at the electrode. Pilot orifice cleared as first step.
Pilot establishes but main burner gas valve does not open: flame sensor signal too weak for the board to confirm pilot (dirty flame sensor), or board is not progressing past pilot confirmation stage. Flame sensor cleaning typically resolves this without board replacement.
Fireplace sparks repeatedly, pilot lights briefly, then extinguishes and sparks again in a loop. The flame sensor is reading a weak signal — the board detects the pilot, opens the main valve, then loses confidence in the flame signal and repeats. Flame sensor cleaning is the primary fix.
After a set number of failed ignition attempts (typically 3), IPI control boards enter lockout mode — stopping all ignition attempts and flashing an error code. Power must be cycled to reset the board. Error code read before reset to identify the underlying failure.
IPI systems shut down during a power outage (no 24V AC to the board). After power returns, some boards require a manual reset — either a reset button on the board or a power cycle. If the fireplace does not resume normal operation after a power cycle, board damage from a power surge is possible.