Fort Collins, Colorado – September 28, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

Northco Fire, a gas fireplace repair company serving homeowners in Larimer and Weld counties, has issued pilot light safety guidance for the start of the heating season. The guidance addresses the weeks each fall when fireplaces that sat unused through the summer are relit for the first time, which the company identifies as the period when pilot and ignition problems are most frequent.

Public search data reflects the same seasonal pattern. Google Trends data for Colorado shows that search interest in fireplace service and repair rises each September and October and falls to minimal levels by late winter. Over the past five years, the most common related searches in the state have concerned how to light or relight a fireplace pilot, while searches for routine maintenance have registered far lower interest.

The timing follows the state’s weather calendar. Historical snowfall records analyzed by the Colorado Climate Center indicate that mid-to-late October is the most likely window for the first major snowfall across large portions of Colorado, including the Front Range. For many households, that first cold snap marks the first time the fireplace has been lit since spring.

Northco Fire’s guidance starts with the manufacturer’s lighting instructions, which are printed on a label near the controls of most units and in the owner’s manual.

Homeowners who smell gas near the unit should not attempt to light the pilot, should leave the home, and should contact the gas utility from outside. When a relighting attempt fails, the guidance calls for turning the gas valve off and waiting the period specified by the manufacturer for residual gas to clear before trying again.

The guidance also describes the signs of a pilot that needs professional attention. A steady, blue pilot flame generally indicates normal operation, while a flame that is large, yellow, or repeatedly goes out can point to a dirty pilot assembly, a failing thermocouple or thermopile, or a venting problem. Northco Fire has published a maintenance video showing a technician cleaning and inspecting the pilot assembly, glass, and venting components of a fireplace.

According to the company, dust, debris, and insects that collect during months of disuse are common contributors to pilot problems at the start of the season.

“Most of the calls in the first cold weeks come from homeowners who tried to relight the pilot and could not get it to stay lit,” said Brian Kelly, Owner of Northco Fire. “Relighting a pilot is a normal part of fireplace ownership, but a pilot that keeps going out is a symptom of something else, and the safest step at that point is an inspection rather than another attempt.”

The guidance also recommends testing carbon monoxide alarms before the first fire of the season. Colorado law requires a carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of the entrance to each sleeping room in homes with a fuel-fired appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage when a home is sold, built, renovated, or rented to a new tenant. A professional fireplace inspection includes checks of the venting system and gas connections, the components most directly tied to carbon monoxide and gas leak risk.

Northco Fire works exclusively on gas fireplace service, repair, and maintenance and does not sell or install fireplaces. A standard service visit includes disassembly and cleaning of the burner, logs, and glass, along with inspection of the gas valve, pilot assembly, and gasket seal. The company recommends annual inspection, typically scheduled before the heating season begins.

Northco Fire is a gas fireplace repair, service, and maintenance company based in Windsor, Colorado. Founded by Brian Kelly in 2012, the company serves homeowners in Larimer and Weld counties and works on fireplaces, inserts, and log sets from all manufacturers, fueled by either natural gas or propane. For more information, visit northcofire.com.

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For more information about Northco Fire, contact the company here:

Northco Fire
Brian Kelly
970-412-4516
service@northcofire.com
1200 Creekwood Ct
Windsor, CO 80550

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