Hearth and Home Technologies 36, 42 owner manual Troubleshooting, Diagnostics and Problem Solving

10 Troubleshooting

Diagnostics and Problem Solving

I can’t get a good fire going. What am I doing wrong?

Diagnostic Questions	Possible Causes of Condition		Solutions
Is the damper open?	• No draft		Open damper.
Is there enough paper/starter?	•	Insufficient heat to ignite kindling	Use more paper/starter.
Is there enough kindling?	•	Insufficient heat to ignite fuel	Use more dry kindling.
Is the kindling dry?
Is there enough or too much	• Insufficient heat to establish draft		Use small split wood that is well seasoned (split, covered on
wood? Is it too large? Is it dry			top at least 6 months, preferably a year).
	•	Insufficient air passage
enough?
	•	Insufficient surface area
	• Ignition temperature high due to moisture
Are there adequate air spaces	• Insufficient combustion air and exposed		Arrange kindling and wood for air movement.
between fuel pieces?		surface area
Is the chimney pre-warmed?	• Exposed, cold chimney down drafting		Use lighted rolled newspaper at throat or flue opening to
			start upward movement.
Does the kindling, wood not	• Condition, amount, arrangement of kindling		Use more, drier, well-spaced kindling and fuel.
ignite?		and fuel
Does the kindling ignite, but the	• Amount of kindling		Use more kindling; use smaller, dry wood.
fuel doesn’t?	•	Condition of fuel
Does the fuel ignite, but not burn	• Condition of fuel		Use well-seasoned wood and sufficient amount; turn
well?	• Draft problem		exhaust fans off; open window slightly. Perform Simplified
			House Pressure Test.

I don’t get enough/any heat from the fireplace. What can I do about it?

Diagnostic Questions	Possible Causes of Condition	Solutions
How much wood is used for fire?	• Insufficient fuel	Make larger fires.
How well seasoned is the wood?	• Condition of fuel	Burn seasoned wood: covered on top, split and stacked for
		9 months to 2 years.
How much heat output do you	• Unrealistic expectations	Explanation of decorative nature of fireplace; suggestion of
expect?		approved fireplace insert.

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.
What is the condition of the	•	Extremely dry wood	Mix in less seasoned wood after fire established.
wood?

Outdoor Lifestyles by Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. • Montana US-CAN • 4039-156 Rev K • 7/11 29