The fireplace burns the wood too fast. What can I do?
Diagnostic Questions |
| Possible Causes of Condition | Solutions |
Do you have glass doors? | • | Need to slow air intake | Add glass doors. |
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What is the condition of the | • | Extremely dry wood | Mix in less seasoned wood after fire established. |
wood? |
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I smell smoke in the house during operation. What’s causing that?
Diagnostic Questions |
| Possible Causes of Condition | Solutions |
Does the fire start and burn | No: |
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well? | • Damper not fully open | Open damper; check and clean chimney if needed; use adequate | |
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| • | Chimney obstruction | kindling and fuel; open glass doors or open window, check for |
| need for balanced air | ||
| • | Not enough kindling and/or fuel to establish | |
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| draft |
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| • | Inadequate combustion air |
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| Yes: |
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| • | Fire too close to front | Build fire farther back. Do not use exhaust fans during startup |
| • | Competition with exhaust devices | and/or check for need for balanced air |
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I smell smoke in the house after we’ve had a fire in the fireplace. What is the cause/what can we do?
Diagnostic Questions |
| Possible Causes of Condition | Solutions |
Is the damper closed? | • No: Down draft or negative pressure | Close the damper at end of burn. | |
| • | Yes: Negative pressure from exhaust fans | Check for need for glass doors. Check for need for balanced air |
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| and/or house stack effect. | |
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Is the chimney clean? | • No: Creosote odor | Have chimney cleaned. | |
| • | Yes: Damper closed too early | Wait until fire completely out before closing damper. |
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34 | Heat & Glo • |