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SECTION VII
TROUBLESHOOTING
Operation of any wood heater can create problems. While the use of a catalytic-combustor equipped stove will
substantially lessen some of these problems– such as creosote formation– other traditional wood heater problems
may remain.
The following guidelines apply to operation of all wood heaters, with problems related to catalytic heater
addressed where appropriate.
HEATER RELATED
PROBLEMS
Problem
1. Sluggish heater Performance
2. High Fuel Consumption
Possible Cause
1. Obstruction in chimney
2. Improperly sealed trim kit or
direct connect kit
3. Manual damper in chimney is
closed
4. Closing bypass or exhaust
damper too soon
5. Poor chimney draft
6. Combustor is plugged
7. Wet or unseasoned wood being
burned
1. Inexperience in catalytic
operation
2. Improper regulation of draft or
inlet air
3. Air leaking around door frame
and/or glass
4. Bypass damper open
Solution
1. Check cap and chimney and
remove obstruction.
2. Check trim kit gasketing or
direct connect kit seal to
fireplace and gasket as nec-
essary to seal unit. Gasket
under stove if needed. Check
seal or direct connect and
correct.
3. Open manual damper and wire
shut with stainless steel wire or
remove damper.
4. Follow New Buck instructions
for proper firing procedures
5. Flue may need extension.
Oversized flue may need direct
connect or positive liner.
6. See section in “Combustor
Related Problems”
7. Burn dry, seasoned wood
1. Operate stove with desired heat
output in mind. Do not be
overly concerned with
maintaining light-off
temperatures
2. Close inlet air control as much
as possible to maintain desired
heat output. Check gaskets,
reinstall fiberglass gasketing
around doors and glass as
necessary
3. Check door gasket. Check
adjustment of door latch.
4. Close bypass damper