Heatiator C40 owner manual Troubleshooting, Understanding Vent Problems, Draft Problems

3		Troubleshooting
				If the fire is hard to start and smoke spills out of the fireplace,
This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate ventila-				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
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				measures must be taken.
the improper performance of the fireplace system caused
				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:
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
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.
flue, or some condition is in effect to draw smoke from the
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.
•	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.
	reduce draft (air would be drawn in through the leaks rather
	than through the fireplace). The result might be difficult			• Be sure the ceramic blanket (above the baffle) and
	start-up and smoky fires that might spill if other adverse
				the baffle are in their proper positions
	draft conditions accompany this problem.
•	Flue Blockage			• The wood being used in dry and well seasoned.
				If you still suspect you have a low draft problem it may be
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.
the improper performance of the fireplace system caused by
				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 factory-built chimney or 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.
chimney.
				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:
				hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney. Well
				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.
the flue draft. Increasing or decreasing any one of them will
affect the other two and thus change the amount of draft in
the entire system.
4/20/11			Heatilator • Constitution EPA Fireplace • 480-1091D		Page 17