Hearth and Home Technologies C-40 Indoor Fireplace User Manual


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Heatilator • Constitution EPA Fireplace • 480-1091C
November 11, 2008
10
Troubleshooting
Thisreplacewilloperatecorrectlyonlyifadequateventila-
tionisprovidedtoallowproperdrafttothereplacesystem.
Hearth&HomeTechnologiesassumesnoresponsibilityfor
theimproper 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-
surewithinthestructurewherethereplaceislocated.
A. Understanding Vent Problems
Ifsmokespillageoccursfromareplaceopeningwhenthe
doorisopenandtheproperchimneyheight,uesize,and
conguration requirements for the installation have been
met,thereiseitheraleakageintheue,ablockageinthe
ue,orsomeconditionisineffecttodrawsmokefromthe
replaceintothehouse.Understandinganddifferentiating
the conditions which can cause each of these kinds of spill-
age problems is essential to their solution.
• Flue Leakage
Checkforimproperlyconnecteduejointsoradamaged
ue joint inthechimney system.Suchleakage would
reduce draft (air would be drawn in through the leaks rather
thanthroughthereplace).Theresultmightbedifcult
start-upandsmokyresthatmightspillifotheradverse
draft conditions accompany this problem.
• Flue Blockage
The damper should be open.
B. Draft Problems
Ifthereishardtostartandsmokespillsoutofthereplace,
oryounditdifculttoestablishandmaintainamoderately
highburnrate,thentheuedraftistoolowandcorrective
measures must be taken.
Be sure you have air available for combustion and that your
rewoodisdryandwellseasoned.Buildyourresproperly
and according to the instructions given in operating instruc-
tions,“StartingaFire”.Besureyouruesystemisinstalled
correctly and that it is the proper diameter and height. Check
forthefollowing:
Thisreplacewilloperatecorrectlyonlyifadequateventila
-
tionisprovidedtoallowproperdrafttothereplacesystem.
Hearth&HomeTechnologiesassumesnoresponsibilityfor
theimproperperformanceof thereplacesystemcaused
by inadequate draft due to environmental conditions, windy
conditions, down drafts, tight sealing construction of the struc-
ture, or mechanical exhausting devices which will create a
negativeairpressurewithinthestructurewherethereplace
is located.
Flue draft is measured as negative pressure in the chimney.
The amount of negative pressure determines how strong
the draft is. The draft is important because it draws the com-
bustionairintothereplaceandpullsthesmokeoutofthe
chimney.
There are three basic criteria essential in establishing and
maintaininguedraft:
• Availability of combustion air.
• Heatgeneratedfromthere.
• Diameterandheightoftheuesystem.
These three factors work together as a system to create
theuedraft.Increasingordecreasinganyoneofthemwill
affect the other two and thus change the amount of draft in
the entire system.
• All chimney sections are properly installed.
• The chimney is clean and free of creosote or soot
buildup.
• Makesureoverhangingtreesandbranchesarecut
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.
• Besuretheceramicblanket(abovethebafe)and
thebafeareintheirproperpositions
• 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uesystem.
Sincethediameterofyouruesystemismatched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 dif-
culttoestablishtheproperuedraft.Thisisespeciallyevi-
dent 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ueoutletof
thereplaceaspossible.Lightthispaperrstthenthepaper
under the kindling. The heat generated from the rapidly
burning paper on top of the kindling should help get the draft
established.
Stillotherfactorscanaffecthowwellyouruesystemper-
forms. Neighboring structures, high winds, tall trees, even
hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney. Well
designedchimneycapsareavailablethatcanhelp.Yourre-
place dealer is the local expert in your area. He can usually
make suggestions or discover problems that can be easily
correctedallowing yourreplacetooperatecorrectlyas it
has been designed, providing safe and economical heat for
your home.
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