You should DEFINITELY *find* the gas valve(s). There are often two or even three: One quarter-turn shut-off ball valve on the hard line that feeds it (may be in a closet/basement/crawlspace).
One decorative one accessible from the front with a big brass key, eg:
https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Key-Valve-Kit/dp/B08Q5QWG43
And one with a thermocouple that monitors the pilot light and shuts off the gas if the light burns out. You may have to pull a cover plate to access it, and when you want to relight, you'll have to switch this one to the pilot lighting position and manually push it in until the thermocouple warms up to get gas to flow when you want to relight it.
And, of course, there's also a fourth valve outside. It will shut off not just the fireplace but also your furnace, water heater, stove, dryer, etc but better to mention it than leave a gas leak! Assuming you're on natural gas, there's a shut-off by the meter, and I keep a wrench tied to the pipe out there:
https://www.amazon.com/wrench/dp/B000BQKLWK
Mine's an old combo water main/gas main wrench, don't see it easily linked, but that's where I keep it. If the pilot light goes out and you still smell gas, you have a serious problem, shut off whatever you need to.
If you do turn the pilot off, especially for the first time in a new or new-to-you house, you'll want to check that there's no leakage. Remove the glass (probably needs cleaning on the inside anyways) and make sure you can't smell any gas.
Gas companies will make free visits to turn the pilot off in warm weather and back on when it is cold. Just call them and ask for someone to come out to do it. It keeps your gas bill lower, conserves energy, and keeps you from blowing yourself up if you (like me) are uncomfortable messing with potentially dangerous things.
We're on propane so a lot more expensive than natural gas, and we shut ours off between uses for that reason. I'd say definitely do that during the off season if you don't intend to use it again for many months. Our shut off is under the fireplace, you remove the front panel and reach in the back and there is a red valve.
Just in case someone/something bumps the valve and opens. If he’s planning on shutting the gas off at the street the valve will be sufficient but idk if he has other gas appliances in the house.
Would be better then to advise OP to turn off the gas at the manifold rather than at the appliance? Capping means disassembling the line which would need to be bled before use
You should DEFINITELY *find* the gas valve(s). There are often two or even three: One quarter-turn shut-off ball valve on the hard line that feeds it (may be in a closet/basement/crawlspace). One decorative one accessible from the front with a big brass key, eg: https://www.amazon.com/Hearth-Key-Valve-Kit/dp/B08Q5QWG43 And one with a thermocouple that monitors the pilot light and shuts off the gas if the light burns out. You may have to pull a cover plate to access it, and when you want to relight, you'll have to switch this one to the pilot lighting position and manually push it in until the thermocouple warms up to get gas to flow when you want to relight it. And, of course, there's also a fourth valve outside. It will shut off not just the fireplace but also your furnace, water heater, stove, dryer, etc but better to mention it than leave a gas leak! Assuming you're on natural gas, there's a shut-off by the meter, and I keep a wrench tied to the pipe out there: https://www.amazon.com/wrench/dp/B000BQKLWK Mine's an old combo water main/gas main wrench, don't see it easily linked, but that's where I keep it. If the pilot light goes out and you still smell gas, you have a serious problem, shut off whatever you need to. If you do turn the pilot off, especially for the first time in a new or new-to-you house, you'll want to check that there's no leakage. Remove the glass (probably needs cleaning on the inside anyways) and make sure you can't smell any gas.
Gas companies will make free visits to turn the pilot off in warm weather and back on when it is cold. Just call them and ask for someone to come out to do it. It keeps your gas bill lower, conserves energy, and keeps you from blowing yourself up if you (like me) are uncomfortable messing with potentially dangerous things.
I've been advised not to
Because….?
Less trouble.
We're on propane so a lot more expensive than natural gas, and we shut ours off between uses for that reason. I'd say definitely do that during the off season if you don't intend to use it again for many months. Our shut off is under the fireplace, you remove the front panel and reach in the back and there is a red valve.
Yes. It's a small amount of gas, but it is still something. It generates a noticeable amount of heat as well, which you can do without in the summer.
No
Make sure that valve closes %100. Probably need to cap the line.
Why advise capping the line? Turning the valve for the season is absolutely sufficient
Just in case someone/something bumps the valve and opens. If he’s planning on shutting the gas off at the street the valve will be sufficient but idk if he has other gas appliances in the house.
Would be better then to advise OP to turn off the gas at the manifold rather than at the appliance? Capping means disassembling the line which would need to be bled before use
I turn mine off when it gets warmer. Not sure of gas use but the one in my bedroom makes the room significantly and measurably warmer.
I would say no , especially in older furnaces. What will you do if it doesn’t start up again ?
OP is asking about a fireplace, not the furnace