If your Glo-Warm heater will not light, shuts off, or smells unusual, stop and identify the exact model and fuel before trying a fix. The manuals available for this brand cover specific natural-gas heaters; their troubleshooting steps are not universal. Find the rating plate and use the manual for that model. If you smell gas, stop troubleshooting and follow the emergency steps below.
Before troubleshooting: identify the heater and work safely
Glo-Warm heaters differ by model and fuel. The DESA manual hosted by InspectApedia covers an infrared vent-free gas heater, while the FA-20BB manual hosted by ManualsLib identifies a blue-flame vent-free natural-gas heater. Neither establishes procedures for every Glo-Warm unit. Check the rating plate and match the manual and any parts list to the heater before applying model-specific advice.
The DESA Glo-Warm manual says to turn the heater off and unplug it, then let it cool before servicing. It also states: “Only a qualified service person should service and repair heater.” Do not dismantle gas controls or attempt repairs that the exact manual reserves for a qualified technician.
If you smell gas, stop and leave the ignition alone
A gas smell is an emergency stop condition, not a reason to keep pressing the ignitor or retrying the lighting sequence. The DESA manual instructs:
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- Category: Heat Lamp, Strip Type| Dimensions (LWH, Wt.): 51 x 9 x 4 Inches; 10 Pounds
- Shut off the gas supply.
- Do not try to light any appliance.
- Do not touch an electrical switch or use a phone in the building.
- Call the gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. If the supplier cannot be reached, call the fire department.
Do not resume troubleshooting while the odor is present.
Quick checks by symptom
The causes below come from the DESA manual’s troubleshooting section and apply only to the heater covered by that manual. Use them as diagnostic categories, not as a universal repair sequence.
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- Category: Heat Lamp, Strip Type| Dimensions (LWH, Wt.): 63 x 9 x 4 Inches; 15 Pounds
No spark at the ODS/pilot
For the covered model, possible causes include a mispositioned or broken ignitor electrode; an ignitor cable that is disconnected, pinched, wet, or broken; or a failed piezo ignitor. The manual lists reconnection or replacement for some of these faults, but service and repair should be handled by a qualified service person using the exact model instructions.
Spark appears, but the pilot does not ignite
Possible causes include a closed gas supply or equipment shutoff valve, the control knob not being in the correct position, air in newly installed gas lines, a clogged ODS/pilot, or an incorrect regulator setting. For the covered model, the manual’s initial checks include confirming the gas supply and shutoff valve are open and setting the control knob to PILOT. If the gas line is newly installed, its lighting instructions describe repeating the lighting operation while holding the knob until air is removed. Stop immediately if you smell gas; do not keep attempting ignition in that situation.
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Pilot lights, then goes out when you release the knob
The manual lists several possible causes: the knob was not pressed fully or held long enough, a shutoff valve is not fully open, the thermocouple connection is loose, the pilot flame does not reach the thermocouple, gas pressure is low, the ODS/pilot is dirty or partially clogged, or a component is damaged. For the covered heater, the manual says to keep the control knob pressed for 30 seconds after the ODS/pilot lights. It directs low-pressure concerns to the local gas company; thermocouple and control-valve replacement are repair remedies, not DIY instructions.
Pilot stays lit, but the burner does not light
A clogged or undersized burner orifice and low inlet or manifold gas pressure are among the causes listed for burner faults in the DESA manual. These require diagnosis appropriate to the exact model; do not try to clear or resize an orifice yourself. Contact a qualified service person if the manual’s basic operating checks do not resolve the issue.
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Delayed ignition or backfiring
The manual associates delayed ignition with faults including a clogged or undersized burner orifice and low gas pressure. For backfiring, it lists clogged or damaged orifices, a damaged burner, or a defective regulator. These are not safe to diagnose by repeatedly relighting the heater; use qualified service and the exact model manual.
Heater shuts off during operation
For the covered unit, possible causes when the ODS operates and the heater shuts off include insufficient fresh air, low line pressure, and a partially clogged ODS/pilot. The manual includes ventilation and contacting the local gas company among its remedies. Do not assume that opening a window will solve the issue or apply ventilation guidance from one model to another; follow the heater’s manual and consult a qualified service person.
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- 120630-02 Pilot ODS assembly is a dedicated replacement for a full range of unvented LP gas wall heaters, and also fits vent-free LPG gas log sets and indoor fireplaces, delivering stable and reliable pilot ignition performance for propane gas heating appliances
- Matched Thermocouple Specification – This pilot ODS assembly is compatible with the 120790-01 dual-wire thermocouple (33 inch length). The matching thermocouple comes with silver and brown transmitter wires, engineered as a direct fit for Desa International unvented vent-free infrared gas wall heaters
- Compatible With gas heating,Vanguard, Comfort Flame, Glo-Warm, Cozy Heat, Kozy World, Pro Com and Desa International, among other
- This 120630-02 pilot ODS was originally equipped on unvented gas heating units manufactured by DESA International
- Replaces part numbers: 098245-01, 098245-03, 099440-02, 099440-06, 107667-02, 110803-02, ene 56817, ene 70366, J5527 F
Unwanted odor that is not clearly a gas smell
Do not treat an uncertain odor as harmless. If you suspect gas, use the emergency procedure above. For other persistent or unexplained odors, turn the heater off and consult the exact model manual or a qualified service person rather than repeatedly operating it to test the smell.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cleaning, servicing, and replacement parts
The DESA manual warns: “Never use a wire, needle, or similar object to clean ODS/pilot.” It describes model-specific inspection and cleaning of burner and pilot areas; those directions should not be transferred to an unidentified model. For the covered heater, yellow pilot-flame tips can be associated with dust and dirt, but that observation is not proof of the cause on another version.
The manual names parts such as an ODS/pilot assembly, ignitor cable, thermocouple, and control valve, but it does not establish universal interchangeability or current retail availability. Before any part is considered, match the heater model, fuel type, part designation, and documented compatibility in the exact parts list. A replacement part should not be selected before the fault is diagnosed.
When to call for service
- Call the gas supplier or a qualified service person for suspected low gas pressure, regulator issues, burner or orifice faults, damaged components, or recurring shutdowns.
- Use a qualified service person for repairs to the gas control, thermocouple, ignitor system, or ODS/pilot assembly where the manual calls for service.
- Stop using the heater if it behaves unpredictably, ignition is delayed, it backfires, or the cause of an odor is uncertain.
Sources: DESA International, Glo-Warm Infrared Vent-Free Gas Heater Owner’s Operation & Installation Manual, troubleshooting and safety instructions (printed manual no. 107298; publication date not established); and DESA International, Troubleshooting — Glo-Warm FA-20BB Owner’s Operation and Installation Manual, p. 15 (publication date not established). The FA-20BB source identifies that model as a blue-flame vent-free natural-gas heater.
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