MHC36 AND MHR36 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
4.Glass Doors
Most efficient fireplace operation using glass doors is with the doors open. When the doors are open, the screen must be closed. Only Hearth & Home Technologies glass doors may be used. See Figure 22 for proper glass door operation.
Figure 22
Proper Operating Positions of
5.Grate
The factory installed integral grate must be used to hold the logs from falling out of an open fireplace and to allow air to pass between the burning logs. It is important to keep the fire off the hearth and to allow the ashes to collect beneath the fire, thereby forming a layer of additional heat protection.
6.Firescreen
A firescreen is always provided to control sparks. It must be closed whenever the fireplace is in use. Glass doors or firescreens must not be used to hold burning material inside the fireplace. Only those glass doors specifically tested and listed for use with the specific fireplace model should be used. Screens should be closed when the glass doors are closed.
CAUTION:
When left closed while burning your fireplace, firescreens and glass doors will be HOT. Handle with care!
WARNING!
Do not store fuel within the clearances to com- bustibles, or in the space required for refueling and ash removal. See maintenance instructions, “Clear Space Near the Fireplace”.
7.Wood Fuel
FIREWOOD: Your fireplace performance depends on the quality of the firewood you use. All seasoned wood, regardless of species, contains about 8,000 BTU’s per pound, and hardwoods have a greater density than soft woods. A piece of hardwood will contain about 60% more BTU’s than an equal size piece of soft wood. Firewood is commonly sold by the cord (128 cu. ft.). A cord of seasoned oak (hardwood) would contain about 60% more potential energy than a cord of seasoned pine (soft wood).
Soft woods are generally considered coniferous. These are trees with
Hardwoods are generally considered deciduous. Deciduous trees are broadleaf trees that lose their leaves in the fall. Their seeds are usually found within a protective pod or enclosure. Some examples are oak, maple, apple, and birch. It should be noted that there are some deciduous trees that are not considered hardwoods, such as poplar, aspen, and alder. Hardwoods require more time to season, burn slower and are usually harder to ignite than soft woods.
The best wood fuel is a combination of soft wood and hardwood. Start the fire with soft wood; the fire will give off quick heat to bring the appliance up to operating temperature, and then the hardwood can be added for slow, even heat and longer burn time.
MOISTURE: Regardless of which species of wood you burn, the single most important factor that effects the way your fireplace operates is the amount of moisture in the wood. The majority of the problems fireplace owners experience are caused by trying to burn wet, unseasoned wood.
Freshly cut wood can be as much water as it is wood, having a moisture content of around 50%. Imagine a wooden bucket that weighs about eight pounds. Fill it with a gallon of water, put it in the fireplace and try to burn it. This sounds ridiculous but that is exactly what you are doing if you burn unseasoned wood.
WARNING!
Burning wet, unseasoned wood can cause ex- cessive creosote accumulation. When ignited it can cause a chimney fire that may result in a serious house fire.
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