3Troubleshooting
This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate ventila- | If the fire is hard to start and smoke spills out of the fireplace, | ||||
or you find it difficult to establish and maintain a moderately | |||||
tion is provided to allow proper draft to the fireplace system. | |||||
high burn rate, then the flue draft is too low and corrective | |||||
Hearth & Home Technologies assumes no responsibility for | |||||
measures must be taken. |
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the improper performance of the fireplace system caused |
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Be sure you have air available for combustion and that your | |||||
by inadequate draft due to environmental conditions, down | |||||
drafts, tight sealing construction of the structure, or mechan- | firewood is dry and well seasoned. Build your fires properly | ||||
ical exhausting devices which will create a negative air pres- | and according to the instructions given in operating instruc- | ||||
sure within the structure where the fireplace is located. | tions, “Starting a Fire”. Be sure your flue system is installed | ||||
A. | Understanding Vent Problems | correctly and that it is the proper diameter and height. Check | |||
for the following: |
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If smoke spillage occurs from a fireplace opening when the | • All chimney sections are properly installed. | ||||
door is open and the proper chimney height, flue size, and |
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configuration requirements for the installation have been | • The chimney is clean and free of creosote or soot | ||||
met, there is either a leakage in the flue, a blockage in the | buildup. |
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flue, or some condition is in effect to draw smoke from the |
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fireplace into the house. Understanding and differentiating | • Make sure overhanging trees and branches are cut | ||||
the conditions which can cause each of these kinds of spill- | back within ten feet of the top of the chimney and is | ||||
age problems is essential to their solution. | free of debris from animals. |
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• | Flue Leakage |
| • Ensure the chimney cap is clean and free of any | ||
| Check for improperly connected flue joints or a damaged | ||||
| buildup of soot or creosote. if cap is equipped with a | ||||
| flue joint in the chimney system. Such leakage would | ||||
| spark arrestor screen. |
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| reduce draft (air would be drawn in through the leaks rather |
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| than through the fireplace). The result might be difficult | • Be sure the ceramic blanket (above the baffle) and | |||
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| the baffle are in their proper positions |
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| draft conditions accompany this problem. |
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• | Flue Blockage |
| • The wood being used in dry and well seasoned. | ||
| If you still suspect you have a low draft problem it may be | ||||
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B. | Draft Problems |
| necessary to increase the volume of air in your flue system. | ||
| Since the diameter of your flue system is matched with the | ||||
This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate ventila- | |||||
size of the flue collar and should not be changed, then the | |||||
tion is provided to allow proper draft to the fireplace system. | |||||
height of the system must be increased. Add chimney sections | |||||
Hearth & Home Technologies assumes no responsibility for | |||||
a little at a time until the draft improves. |
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the improper performance of the fireplace system caused by |
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In some cases, regardless of what you do, it can still be dif- | |||||
inadequate draft due to environmental conditions, windy con- | |||||
ficult to establish the proper flue draft. This is especially evi- | |||||
ditions, down drafts, tight sealing construction of the structure, | |||||
dent when using an exterior | |||||
or mechanical exhausting devices which will create a negative | |||||
masonry chimney. Try placing several sheets of crumpled | |||||
air pressure within the structure where the fireplace is located. | |||||
paper on top of your kindling as close to the flue outlet of | |||||
Flue draft is measured as negative pressure in the chimney. | |||||
the fireplace as possible. Light this paper first then the paper | |||||
The amount of negative pressure determines how strong | |||||
under the kindling. The heat generated from the rapidly | |||||
the draft is. The draft is important because it draws the com- | |||||
burning paper on top of the kindling should help get the draft | |||||
bustion air into the fireplace and pulls the smoke out of the | |||||
established. |
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chimney. |
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| Still other factors can affect how well your flue system per- | ||||
There are three basic criteria essential in establishing and | |||||
forms. Neighboring structures, high winds, tall trees, even | |||||
maintaining flue draft: |
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| hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney. Well | ||||
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| designed chimney caps are available that can help. Your fire- | ||
| • Availability of combustion air. | place dealer is the local expert in your area. He can usually | |||
| • Heat generated from the fire. | make suggestions or discover problems that can be easily | |||
| corrected allowing your fireplace to operate correctly as it | ||||
| • Diameter and height of the flue system. | ||||
| has been designed, providing safe and economical heat for | ||||
These three factors work together as a system to create | your home. |
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the flue draft. Increasing or decreasing any one of them will |
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affect the other two and thus change the amount of draft in |
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the entire system. |
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4/12 | Heatilator • Constitution EPA Fireplace • | Page 17 |