Page 54 Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081C September 1, 2008 September 1, 2008
September 1, 2008
10 Troubleshooting
Thisreplacewilloperatecorrectlyonlyifadequateventila-
tionisprovidedtoallowproperdrafttothereplacesystem.
Hearth & Home Technologies assumes no responsibility for
theimproper performance of the replace system caused
by inadequate draft due to environmental conditions, down
drafts, tight sealing construction of the structure, or mechan-
ical exhausting devices which will create a negative air pres-
surewithinthestructurewherethereplaceislocated.
A. Understanding Vent Problems
Ifsmokespillageoccursfroma replaceopeningwhenthe
doorisopenand theproperchimneyheight, uesize,and
conguration requirements for the installation have been
met,thereiseither aleakageinthe ue,ablockagein the
ue,orsomec onditionisineffec ttodrawsmokefr omthe
replaceinto thehouse.Under standinganddif ferentiating
the conditions which can cause each of these kinds of spill-
age problems is essential to their solution.
• Flue Leakage
Checkforimproperlyconnecteduejointsoradamaged
uejoint in the chimney system. Such leakage would
reduce draft (air would be drawn in through the leaks rather
thanthroughthe replace).Theresult mightbedifcult
start-upandsmokyresthatmight spillifotheradverse
draft conditions accompany this problem.
• Flue Blockage
The damper should be open.
B. Draft Problems
This replace will operate corre ctly only if ad equate
ventilationisprovided toallowproper drafttothe re-
place system. Hearth & Home Technologies assumes
no responsibility for the improper performance of the
replacesystem caused by inadequate draft due to
environmental conditions, windy conditions, down drafts,
tight sealing construction of the structure, or mechanical
exhausting devices which will create a negative air pres-
surewithinthestructurewherethereplaceislocated.
Flue draft is meas ured as negati ve pres sure in the
chimney. The amount of negative pressure determines
how strong the draft is. The draft is important because
itdrawsthecombustion airintothereplaceand pulls
the smoke out of the chimney.
There are three basic criteria essential in establishing
andmaintaininguedraft:
• Availability of combustion air.
• Heatgeneratedfromthere.
• Diameterandheightoftheuesystem.
These three factors work together as a system to create
theuedraft.Increasingordecreasinganyoneofthem
will affect the other two and thus change the amount of
draft in the entire system.
Ifthereishardtostartandsmokespillsoutofthere-
place,oryound itdifculttoestablish andmaintaina
moderatelyhighburnrate,thenthe uedraftistoolow
and corrective measures must be taken.
Be sure you have air available for combustion and that
yourrewoodisdryandwellseasoned.Buildyourres
properly and according to the instructions given in operat-
inginstructions,“StartingaFire”.Besureyouruesystem
is installed correctly and that it is the proper diameter and
height.Checkforthefollowing:
• All chimney sections are properly installed.
• The chimney is clean and free of creosote or soot
buildup.
• Makesureoverhangingtreesandbranchesarecut
back within ten feet of the top of the chimney and is
free of debris from animals.
• Ensure the chimney cap is clean and free of any
buildup of soot or creosote. if cap is equipped with a
spark arrestor screen.
• Besuretheceramicblanket (abovethebafe)and
thebafeareintheirproperpositions
• The wood being used in dry and well seasoned.
If you still suspect you have a low draft problem it may
be necessary to increase the volume of air in your
uesystem. Since the diameter of your ue system
ismatched with the size of the ue collar and should
not be changed, then the height of the system must be
increased. Add chimney sections a little at a time until
the draft improves.
In some cases, regardless of what you do, it can still be
difculttoestablishtheproperuedraft.Thisisespecially
evident when using an exterior factory-built chimney or
exterior masonry chimney. Try placing several sheets of
crumpled paper on top of your kindling as close to the
ueoutletof thereplaceas possible.Lightthispaper
rstthenthepaperunder thekindling.Theheatgener-
ated from the rapidly burning paper on top of the kindling
should help get the draft established.
Stillotherfactors canaffecthow wellyour uesystem
performs. Neighboring structures, high winds, tall trees,
even hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney.
Well designed chimney caps are available that can help.
Yourreplacedealeristhelocalexpertinyourarea.He
can usually make suggestions or discover problems that
canbeeasilycorrectedallowing yourreplacetooper-
ate correctly as it has been designed, providing safe and
economical heat for your home.