Is It Safe When My Gas Fire Flame Is Green?

A gas fire is one of the essentials in the majority of homes in the UK, especially where the weather becomes extremely cold in winter. It is meant to provide a cozy environment in your home. It brings warmth and comfort to you on cold winter evenings.

Normally, the gas fire should continue to provide comfort and warmth without any problems, but sometimes you may suddenly experience a noticeable change in the color of the flame. Everyone is familiar with a bright blue flame when the gas fire is functioning perfectly. Even an orange or yellow flame is quite common, although it is a sign of incorrect gas burning. But when the flame turns green, your first instinct would be a surprise, which may soon turn into a concern. 

The immediate question rising in one's mind might be, Why has the flame of my gas fire suddenly turned green, followed by a serious concern: Is a green flame safe? There is no second opinion on one thing: a green flame is a serious abnormality, which needs immediate attention, and more importantly, instant rectification. So, the instant answer to this important question is – A green flame is not safe!

This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about the appearance of a green flame, why it happens, what the specific risks are, and, more importantly, what steps you need to take to correct it.

How a Gas Fire Should Burn – Understanding the Color of the Flames

Why is a green flame considered a serious abnormality? To find an explanation of this simple question, you first need to understand the science of the colors of flames. The gas, whether it is in the form of Natural Gas (Methane) or LPG (Propane or Butane), is meant to burn for various domestic and commercial purposes. These gases are designed to burn with a bright and clear blue flame. Anything other than a blue flame is not normal burning. Let's explore what different colors of a gas flame mean.

• Blue Flame

Gas needs oxygen to burn. For this purpose, all burners of a gas appliance are designed to mix the gas with a certain quantity of oxygen from the air to ignite perfectly. As said earlier, burning gases, such as methane, butane, or propane, are designed to burn with a blue flame. So, a blue flame is an indication that the combustion of natural gas or LPG is normal and efficient. 

• Orange or Yellow Flame 

If a gas burner starts giving an orange or yellow flame, it is a sign of inefficient combustion. It is a clear indication that oxygen is not mixing with the gas in appropriate amounts, which results in the accumulation of carbon, which appears around the burners in the form of black spots or soot. The tiny particles of carbon so accumulated around the burner result in a glow, which is normally yellow and occasionally orange. Sometimes it may be the result of a temporary dust, but if it persists in causing yellow or orange flame, it is an indication of a blocked vent or a dirty burner, which may also lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide (CO).

• Green Flame

Contrary to the above two scenarios, if the color of the flame changes to green, it is a clear indication that the real problem is not with the burning of gas itself. A green flame does not represent any abnormality with the combustion process of natural gas or LPG; it reflects that a foreign substance is burning with the gas. Typically, a green flame emerges from the burning of metals or some chemical compound. That's why a green flame in your gas fire is considered a dangerously serious abnormality. 

Possible Reasons for a Green Flame in a Gas Fire

There might be multiple reasons behind a green flame appearing in your gas fire. Some of the major causes are summarized here:

• Copper Corrosion – This is the most common thing causing a green flame in your gas fire. When a copper compound is burnt, it typically produces a vibrant green colored flame. The burner jets or heat exchangers are the essential components of a gas fire. These are made up of copper. With the passage of time and consistent usage, these copper components often corrode, mostly due to moisture and other atmospheric conditions. It may result in the accumulation of copper salts. When the gas is burnt, these salts are vaporized in the flame, causing bright green light. 
• Accidental Addition of Copper Contaminants in the Fire – Another possibility is that sometimes a household may accidentally add a copper-based substance into the fire, such as a cleaning material that has copper compounds. Sometimes, a certain type of dust may also produce the green flame. 
• Household Chemicals – Households sprays like aerosols or polishing materials, or even some types of cleaning fluids, if used near the gas fire, may also cause green flame. Volatile chemicals present in such household products may often mix with the fire burning in your gas fire, resulting in different colored flames, including a green flame. 
• It may be a Gas Supply Problem – Although not very common, sometimes there might be a problem with the gas supplied in your home, due to a fault or by mistake at the supplier's end. However, it is almost impossible, especially in the UK, where gas companies follow a strict standard. If at all it happens, it may also result in different colored flames, including a green flame. 

Risks Associated with A Green Flame

Physically, a green flame is not dangerous, as it does not pose a direct threat to the home or its occupants. But the reasons behind a green flame might be highly dangerous. That means the green flame is not dangerous itself, but what causes it might be reasonably dangerous. 

The risks associated with the possible reasons for a green flame are as follows:

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

The most common and serious problem is the emission of carbon monoxide, which is seriously dangerous to human health. The process that results in copper corrosion, often associated with incomplete combustion, may cause the generation of carbon monoxide. It becomes seriously dangerous if the vents or chimneys are blocked. This situation may result in carbon monoxide poisoning if left unattended. 

• Possible Damage to Appliances

While the corrosion of copper is among the main reasons for a green flame, it is also directly associated with the useful life and optimum performance of a gas fire. A continuous corrosion of copper components within the gas fire may ultimately result in complete damage, which may result in huge costs in repairing or replacing them. Over time, it may also negatively impact the efficiency of the gas appliances.

• Possible Fire Eruption 

Substantial corrosion and/or blockages can alter the flame path, which may cause overheating of components. Since these are not designed for high temperatures, there is always a serious possibility of the eruption of fire under these circumstances.

What to Do If Green Flame Appears in Your Gas Fire

• Turn off the gas fire. Switch it off at the controls
• Turn off the gas supply to your gas fire by closing the gas supply valve. 
• Open all the windows and doors in the area where the gas fire is located. This is important to ventilate the area. Ventilating the area will reduce its harmful effects.
• Do not relight the gas fire unless a Gas Safe-registered engineer fixes the issue.
• Never try to fix the problem on your own. Only a Gas Safe-registered engineer is authorized to work on your gas fire. Immediately call the engineer to resolve the issue.

Important

1. Ensure regular servicing of your gas fire, preferably on an annual basis. Make it a part of the annual gas safety inspection for getting a gas safety certificate.
2. Make sure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed at the appropriate locations in your home, especially in and around the living areas, where gas appliances are installed. You will also need to test its efficiency and accuracy on a periodical basis, preferably on a monthly basis.
3. Keep the areas surrounding the gas fire clear and clean from any substances such as paints, chemical cleaners, and aerosols. Presence or usage of such substances near a gas fire may result in green flame. 

Conclusion

A green flame in your gas fire is a glaring warning sign, which you cannot and should not ignore. It needs your urgent attention. Although the green flame itself is not an immediate danger, the reasons that cause it might be highly serious. In any such event, call a Gas Safe Register engineer immediately. But before doing that, you must turn off the gas fire and disconnect it from the main gas supply. This can be done easily just by turning off the gas supply valve. Additionally, you must also open the doors and windows of the affected area, ensuring enhanced ventilation. This is highly important. 

Once the gas safe registered engineer has inspected and fixed the problem, you can now ignite the gas fire again. Under no circumstances should you turn it on before the engineer declares it safe after removing the fault. Warmth might be important in winter, but the safety of your home and family is far more important. So, never put yourself or any of your family.