Ashes should never be placed in wooden or plastic containers, or in paper or plastic bags, no matter how long the fire has been out. Coals have been known to stay hot for several days when embedded in ashes.
VENTING SYSTEM (CHIMNEY CONNECTOR AND CHIMNEY)
The venting system consists of the heater’s chimney connector (the pipe which connects the heater to the chimney) and the chimney itself.
When coal is burned, the products of combustion combine with moisture to form a soot residue which accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited this soot makes an extremely hot fire.
The chimney connector and chimney should be inspected twice a month during heating season to determine if a soot biuldup has occured.
If soot has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk of a shimney fire.
A chimney fire is usually indicated by a roaring noise from within the chimney and/or a pinging noise within the chimney connector. Well developed chimney fires will emit ash and sparks from the top of the chimney.
If a chimney fire occurs, turn the thermostat to “LO”, keep the feed door, ash and cabinet doors closed, call the fire department and protect the roof by wetting it with a garden hose or buckets of water. After the chimney fire is over, thoroughly inspect all combustible materials around the chimney and chimney connector for fires that might have been ignited by the intense heat. The chimney and chimney connector should then be inpected for any damage and repairs made if necessary.
Although a properly constructed chimney should not be damaged by a chimeny fire, it is best to prevent chimney fires by properly cleaning the chimney. There are special chimney cleaning services available in most cities. Most fire departments make free chimney inspections and can provide assistance in locating chimney cleaning or repair services.
CHIMNEY CONNECTOR PIPE-CORROSION INSPECTION
Chimney connector pipes do not last forever. Corrosion is particularly a problem if the inside of the pipe tends to get damp from condensation of flue gases or from rain or snow getting into the chimney. Just being on an ocean coast can also accelerate chimney connector pipe corrosion.
Chimney connector pipe replacement may be necessary more than once a season, but once every few years is more typical. Every time the chimney and chimney connector are checked for creosote buildup, the strength and integrity of the chimney connector pipes should also be checked.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problems can arise during the operation of any coal heater. These problems can usually be traced to such things as the venting system, draft, aged or failed parts, fuel, and operator error.
The troubleshooting suggestions contained in this section of the manual apply to the operation of all coal heaters. Experience has shown that correct installation and good operating practices-including routine heater and venting system maintenance, along with a good sound chimney, will eliminate most of the problems mentioned by this section of the manual. Nonetheless, coal heater operators should make themselves aware of the nature, cause and solution to possible problems so as to help themselves obtain the best possible service from this heater.
THE VENTING SYSTEM-KEY TO GOOD HEATER PERFORMANCE
A majority of performance problems with coal burning heaters can be traced to some factor in the venting system that is adversely affecting the heater. Air will flow into the heater and smoke will flow up the chimney only if there is sufficient difference between the air pressure in the room where the heater is located and the air pressure inside the chimney. As hot gases and smoke flow up a chimney, the pressure in the chimney is lowered, creating a difference in pressure inside and outside the chimney. When this pressure difference, often referred to as “draft pressure” or simply as “draft”, is sufficient, air will be drawn into the heater through its thermostatically controlled inlet air damper. This air supplies the oxygen necessary for the coal to burn. If the draft is not sufficient, insufficient oxygen will reach the burning wood and it will burn poorly. This condition can also cause smoke and dangerous gases to spill or backpuff from the heater into the room. Backpuffing occurs when the air flow through the heater is insufficient to burn all the gases being released by the coal causing them to build up until they ignite as a minor explosion. This causes smoke to puff out of every opening in the heater and venting system.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperature in the heater. An uncontrollable burn or a glowing red heater part or chimney connector is an indication of excessive draft. The amount of draft in the chimney depends on the length of the chimney, local geography, nearby obstructions (even a tree that has grown tall can affect the draft of a chimney that was previously trouble-free), and other factors.
The common unit used to measure draft is “INCHES IF WATER”. To determine the draft of your chimney, a draft pressure reading should be taken with a DRAFT METER or a WATER MANOMETER. This requires someone with proper equipment and knowledge of how to use it. Your heater dealer should be able to preform this task for you or recommend someone who can.
For this heater, installations with a draft of .02 inches of water or less are considered marginal and will not burn reliably as noted above. For this heater, it is not recommended that the draft exceed .06 inches of water or overfiring can occur as noted above. The recommended operating range for this heater is .03 to .06 inches of water.
