Hearth and Home Technologies NorthStar-GT Burning Process, Automatic Combustion Control ACC

L. Burning Process

Fire requires 3 things to burn: fuel, air and heat. If heat is robbed from the fireplace during the drying stage, the new load of wood has reduced the chances for a good clean burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry, seasoned firewood. We do not advise burning unsea- soned wood, however if it happens, you must open the Slide Air Control and burn the fireplace at a high burn setting for a longer time to start it burning.

Kindling or 1st stage:

It helps to know a little about the actual process of burning in order to understand what goes on inside a fireplace. The first stage of burning is called the kindling stage. In this stage, the wood is heated to a temperature high enough to evaporate the moisture which is present in all wood. The wood will reach the boiling point of water (212°F) and will not get any hotter until the water is evaporated. This process takes heat from the coals and tends to cool the fireplace.

2nd stage:

The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the period when the wood gives off flammable gases which burn above the fuel with bright flames. During this stage of burning it is very important that the flames be main- tained and not allowed to go out. This will ensure the cleanest possible fire. If you are adjusting your fireplace for a low burn rate, you should close down the air to the point where you can still maintain some flame. If the flames tend to go out, the fireplace is set too low for your burning conditions.

Final stage:

The final stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This occurs when the flammable gases have been mostly burned and only charcoal remains. This is a naturally clean portion of the burn. The coals burn with hot blue flames.

It is very important to reload your fireplace while enough lively hot coals remain in order to provide the amount of heat needed to dry and rekindle the next load of wood. It is best to open the air control for a short while before reloading. This livens up the coalbed. Open door slowly so that ash or smoke does not exit fireplace through opening. You should also break up any large chunks and distribute the coals so that the new wood is laid evenly on hot coals.

CAUTION

Fireplace operation does require air. Do not take air from other fuel burning appliances which can result in improper venting (smoking) or air dilution. Always provide adequate makeup air.

M. Automatic Combustion Control (ACC)

Typically, when you build a fire, you need to open the controls to give the fire more air so the wood will get going. You then have to go back to the unit and shut it down so it doesn’t overfire and burn up your wood too quickly.

With the Automatic Combustion Control system, you can set the fireplace to high (all the way to the right), start your fire, and then move the Slide Air Control to their desired burn level. The fireplace will automatically go to that level after the fire is fully established. This allows for less interaction with the fire by the homeowner and more efficient use of fuel while maintaining the desired heat output.

IMPORTANT! As you move the control rod to the right, about three-fourths of the way you will feel some resistance. You must move past that resistance approximately 3/4 in. (19mm) to fully engage the Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) sytstem

NOTE: Close controls when not burning.

		Slide Air Control
Left-Close	Right-Open		Outside Air Knob
			OPEN	CLOSE
	Low	Meet	ACC Fully
	Position	Resistance	Engaged
Figure 50.1 Operating the ACC Controls

*Slide Air Control

Slide LEFT to Stop

Stop to 1/8 in. -1/2 in. open

Stop to 1/2 in. - 1-1/2 in. open

All the way to RIGHT

THE DECORATIVE FASCIA MUST BE REMOVABLE ON YOUR FIREPLACE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE AUTOMATIC COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM.

September 1, 2008 Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081C Page 51