@Ethyrdude, very good observation! 💡 The reason it is this way is because the ability to auto-light fireplaces came with the base game, and the thermostat came years later with Seasons. So, when they made the fireplaces be able to have an auto light feature, they didn't make them to work with a thermostat, and it is very possible when they made Seasons they overlooked the fireplaces' auto light feature since not everyone will upgrade their fireplace to this level. 🤭
I have not tested this with Seasons since very few of my many households have the upgraded fireplace. If you want , you can test how it works by keeping track of their moodlets during really hot or cold days with the auto fire (and try both with the thermostat of and on (and with both warmer and cooler settings). 🤓❤️
My guess is that in the hot weather if your fireplace lights automatically, you can counter act that by using fans or by setting the thermostat to Cooler, to offset the fire place. Of course, this is jus my speculation… I could be over thinking it! 😃😳
If I find out anything, I will let you know! 😇
