Hearth and Home Technologies NorthStar-NT Indoor Fireplace User Manual


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Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081C
September 1, 2008
September 1, 2008
September 1, 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
This replace willoperate correctlyonlyif adequate
ventilationisprovidedtoallowproperdrafttothere-
place 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 structure, or mechanical
exhausting devices which will create a negative air pres-
sure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combustion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.
Ifthereishardtostartandsmokespillsoutofthere
-
place,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 operat-
inginstructions,“StartingaFire”.Besureyouruesystem
is installed correctly and that it is the proper diameter and
height.Checkforthefollowing:
• 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
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
ueoutletofthereplaceaspossible.Lightthispaper
rstthenthepaperunderthekindling.Theheatgener-
ated 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
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.
Yourreplace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oper-
ate correctly as it has been designed, providing safe and
economical heat for your home.
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