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8.6 Managing the Ash/Coal Bed
After using the heater for several days you will notice
a buildup of ash and coals at the bottom of the fire
chamber. When left undisturbed for several more days,
this layer can become a hard insulating layer which
will negatively impact the performance of the heater.
This layer must be stirred on a regular basis. The ash
building up in the corners at the bottom of the fire
chamber must be stirred daily using the small ash tool.
If the ash buildup becomes excessive (covers all the
primary air delivery holes) part of it can be removed.
Always leave an inch or two of stirred ash and coals in
place to protect the bricks during loading.
8.7 Keep the Primary Air Holes
Clear From Obstruction.
The primary air holes are located towards the bottom
and along both sides of the fire chamber. Before
loading the heater open the middle ignition door and
use the small ash tool to clear coals and ash that may
be covering the primary air holes. This will make the
heater burn cleaner and more efficiently.
8.8 Disposal of Ashes
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a
tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a non-combustible floor or on the ground
well away from all combustible materials.
8.9 Shutting Down the Heater
The heater combustion cycle can be turned off
manually by switching the HEAT switch to the OFF
position. This will not stop the fan from turning on
when the loading door is opened. To completely shut
down the heater, the main disconnect switch powering
the heater must be turned off.
8.10 Fractional Load/Summer Use
A fractional (or partial) load is a smaller heating
load that is placed on the heater during the shoulder
seasons (spring and fall) and summer.
For service and support on your Polar Furnace contact your local dealer
SECTION 8: OPERATING THE HEATER
In a fractional load-type situation, fill the chamber
only with as much wood as needed to provide heat
for the next 10-12 hours. For example, if a half
chamber load of wood is needed to provide heat for
the next 10-12 hours, fill the chamber only half way.
Regularly filling the fire chamber completely when
there is only a small heat load can lead to fire chamber
wall corrosion and shortened heater service life.
Whenever possible, do not use the heater during
summer months when the heat load is very small.
Never use the heater just for a very small load like
domestic hot water generation. Use an alternate supply
of heat for this purpose (e.g electric hot water heater).
A small fractional load like domestic hot water heating
during summer is harder on the heater and will
shorten its service life.
If the heater has to be used in the summer for small
loads like domestic hot water add as little wood as
possible when filling the heater. Never fill the fire
chamber completely with wood in these situations
and insure the wood is well seasoned. See section 8.2.
If you notice ash at the bottom of the fire chamber is
wet or moist, immediately stop using the heater for the
fractional load. Thoroughly clean out the moist ashes
and ensure the fire chamber dries completely.
8.11 Operating Temperature
The water temperature in the water jacket should
always be above 160˚F. Maintaining proper water
temperature in the heater is important for two reasons:
1. Proper combustion—cool water cools the
combustion process which reduces the
combustion efficiency.
2. Heater longevity—cool water causes
condensation to form on the fire-side surfaces.
This condensation results in creosote buildup
throughout the heater. Moisture or water
mixed with ashes is corrosive and will shorten
the life of the heater.
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