01/23/2026
Kimbel Construction - Tip of Day: Knowing we have a major winter storm approaching for many of us across the U.S., I wanted to make everyone aware of something that could help keep you warm during a power outage.
Many homeowners aren’t aware that 90% of gas log fireplaces that use a switch to turn them on, have a battery backup feature that allows you to still turn on the fireplace even when the power is out. If your fireplace has this feature, this battery pack is typically located behind the flip up door on the front/bottom of the fireplace. On my fireplace, it uses two “D” size batteries (see photo). If you lose power during a winter storm, using this battery backup feature could make a huge difference in helping to keep your home warm until the electric comes back on.
Before this winter storm impacts you, check your gas log fireplace and see if it has this backup feature and make sure you have the correct batteries if you need to turn it on. Note: If your fireplace has a blower, the blower won’t work during a power outage because it’s wired to high voltage, but the fireplace will still work with the battery backup power and provide radiant warmth.
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