Considering gas lamps but not sure where to start? Check out our Get Started Guide! It includes everything you need know.
Are gas lamps safe?
Yes! American Gas Lamp Works gas and electric lamps employ well-proven designs and technologies. Gas lighting actually pre-dates electric lighting by several decades, and the Welsbach mantle lighting system has been used the world over for more than a century. You should keep in mind that gas lamps do get hot and should not be placed where they can be touched by children or animals.
Where can I view your Product Brochure?
To download our Product Brochure, please click here! Downloadable specification sheets for each product are also available through the individual product pages.
PERFORMANCE
What types of gas do your lamps use?
Our open flickering flame gas lamps can be equipped for use with natural gas (NG) ONLY. Our Welsbach mantle gas lamps can be equipped for use with natural gas (NG) or liquid propane (LP). Our electric lamps require 120V electric.
Can open flame be used with liquid propane (LP) gas?
Our open flame gas lamps are only available when fueled by natural gas; they are not compatible with liquid propane. The only option for LP gas is our gas mantle burner, which is similar to what you see in a Coleman camping lantern. It uses mesh mantles to provide a solid, white light, like a light bulb. Mantle burners are intended to burn 24/7 and do not flicker like a flame.
How much gas do AGLW fixtures burn when operating?
The amount of gas your lamps will use depends on the type of gas and burner you’re using. Please refer to our BTUs and Gas Facts page for gas usage along various configurations.
How do you turn a gas lamp on and off?
All AGLW gas lamps include a manual ignition valve, located in the collar of the fixture, just below the burner. To light the lamp, simply turn the valve a 1/4 turn with a flathead tool (like a screwdriver) and ignite the burner inside the lamp with a long lighter.
We recommend leaving gas lamps burning 24 hours a day to reduce wear-and-tear of the components and to keep the gas line warm, preventing any buildup of debris or insects that may effect proper gas flow.
When using an open flame burner with Natural Gas, you may add an electronic ignition system for an upcharge. This requires both Natural Gas and 110/120V electric be run to each fixture and will allow you to control the flame with a light switch or a timer.
The electronic ignition system can only be purchased from AGLW in a new lamp. For more information about our electronic ignition system, please click here.
How much light do American Gas Lamp Works fixtures produce?
First, please keep in mind that open flame lamps are designed to produce a gentle, flickering light that is intended principally for ambiance rather than illumination. They are perfect for accent lighting and for creating a unique environment, but open flame lamps should not be counted on as a primary light source.
Gas mantle lamps, GasGlow® LED and electric candelabra base lamps produce bright light and can be a primary illumination source. As a rule of thumb, each gas mantle and GasGlow® LED mantle produces the equivalent light output of a 50-watt incandescent electric bulb. As a result, a quad-mantle gas lamp or GasGlow® LED would produce light equivalent to about two 100-watt incandescent bulbs.
Do you offer low voltage electric assemblies?
All of our candelabra base electric assemblies require 120V electric power. Our dual and triple GasGlow® LED assemblies are available with 12V and 24V drivers upon request.
Can wind affect gas lamp performance?
American Gas Lamp Works gas fixtures are designed to perform in normal wind conditions, but both gas mantle and open flame gas lamps can blow out in strong winds. Several factors play into the susceptibility of specific lamps to wind, including the location of the lamp on a site or building and the wind patterns in your area.
PRODUCTION
How long does it take to receive my product?
All of our products are made-to-order. Parts typically ship from our Pennsylvania manufacturing facility within 1-2 weeks of the date your order is placed, while lamps and posts typically ship within 3-4 weeks. Additional time should be allowed for special orders and large quantities. Please call 724-274-7131 to check our current estimated lead time.
What are your lights made from?
Our lamps are custom made from commercial grade sand-cast aluminum and heavy-gauge copper. Our lamps are built to last for generations. Please visit one of our dealers to experience first-hand the difference between our foundry craftsmanship and mass-produced fixtures.
Do you make custom products?
While all of our lamp models are customizable, we do not offer completely custom services.
Can I return a product if I don’t like it or it doesn’t fit?
All AGLW products are custom-made specific to your order. Due to the customized nature of our products, returns are accepted for product defects only.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
My open flame keeps blowing out. What should I do?
To reduce the risk of blowouts in your open flame natural gas lamp, consider working with a local certified gas specialist to making the following adjustments:
1) Confirm that the gas valve is set between 50-75% open. Often times, customers/installers will open the valve 100% to achieve the greatest flame, however, this can create an air pocket between the burner tip and the bottom of the flame, which can cause frequent blowouts. Most often, simply turning the valve back until the bottom of the flame is touching the tip of the burner resolves this issue.
2) Clean the burner tip regularly by running a piece of floss through the cooled slot in the brass stem. If any debris has settled or is stuck in this pathway, the gas may not be flowing properly, which can also cause more frequent blowouts.
3) Consider purchasing a Wind Guard. This is a physical accessory that slides over the burner to add an extra layer of protection from extreme wind. It does not hinder the look of the flame and can easily be added to the burner by you or your installer.
What is the difference between gas mantle and open flame gas lamps?
Gas mantle lamps utilize incandescent gas mantles as their source of illumination. Traditionally known as Welsbach mantles for their inventor, Carl Auer von Welsbach, gas mantles generate a bright, steady white light when heated by a flame. Gas mantle fixtures can be configured as dual-, triple-, or quad-mantle lamps, depending on your lamp size and lighting requirements. Alternatively, open flame gas lamps emit a softer, flickering glow similar to that of a candle. Open flame gas fixtures are preferable where you’d like the ambiance of old-fashioned gas light but do not need significant light output.
What is GasGlow® LED?
Our GasGlow® LED was created to precisely mimic the look, color and intensity of a gas mantle burner. It does not use light bulbs, but instead, has LED technology build directly into it. It requires 120V electric and carries a 2-year warranty. Our GasGlow® LED is a propriety technology, unique for homeowners who want to preserve the historic look of gas mantle lighting.
More information about our GasGlow® LED can be found here.
What is the difference between GasGlow® LED and candelabra base electric fixtures?
American Gas Lamp Works developed the GasGlow® LED as an exceptionally efficient but beautiful substitute for gas mantle lighting. GasGlow® utilizes the latest LED technology combined with our standard gas burner components to exactly mimic the light intensity, color, and appearance of gas mantle illumination. Candelabra base electric lamp fixtures can be configured as dual-, triple- or quad-socket lamps and accept any small-socket (E-12 base) bulb. Most currently available small-socket bulbs are incandescent electric, but alternative LED bulbs are increasingly available and deliver long-lived, exceptionally efficient performance.
Can I convert an electric lamp to natural gas?
We do not recommend attempting to convert an electric fixture to natural gas. Fixtures manufactured for electric use are not properly designed or tested to withstand or ventilate the heat created by natural gas. The materials the lamp are constructed from may also be incompatible or unsafe to use with gas. Natural gas should only be used to fuel lamp fixtures originally designed for use with gas.
Are American Gas Lamp Works fixtures certified?
Yes! All AGLW lamps are certified to the most rigorous ANSI standards and carry either an ETL or UL Listing.
Are you a real American manufacturer or just an online marketer?
The American Gas Lamp Works and its predecessor, Gas-Lite Manufacturing, have been designing and manufacturing natural gas and faux gas lighting for over fifty years. Our manufacturing operations are located near Pittsburgh, PA, in the town of New Kensington, PA. Our lamps are manufactured by skilled foundrymen and craftsmen, as they have been for generations.