Diagnostics And Problem Solving - Heat & Glo NORTHSTAR-BK Owner's Manual

C. Diagnostics and Problem Solving
1. If I can't get a good fire going, what am I doing wrong?
Diagnostic Question
Are the air controls open?
Is there enough paper?
Is there enough kindling?
Is the kindling dry?
Is there enough or too much wood?
Is it too large?
Is it dry enough?
Are there adequate air spaces
between fuel pieces?
Is the chimney pre-warmed?
Is there smoke in the house?
Does the kindling wood not ignite?
Does the kindling ignite, but the fuel
doesn't?
Does the fuel ignite, but not burn well?
2. I smell smoke in the house after we have had a fire. What is the cause/what can I do?
Diagnostic Question
Is the chimney clean?
3. I smell smoke in the house during operation. What is causing it?
Diagnostic Question
Do fires start and burn well?
4/20/11
Possible Causes of Condition
• No draft
• No combustion air
Insufficient heat to ignite kindling
Insufficient heat to ignite fuel
• Insufficient heat to establish draft
• Insufficient air passage
• Insufficient surface area
• Ignition temperature high due to
moisture
Insufficient combustion air and
exposed surface area
Exposed, cold chimney downdrafting
• Obstruction in chimney
• Downdraft from chimney tem-
perature or from negative house
pressure
Condition, amount, arrangement of
kindling and fuel
• Amount of kindling
• Condition of fuel
• Draft problem
• Condition of fuel
Possible Causes of Condition
No: Creosote odor
Possible Causes of Condition
No:
• Chimney obstruction
• Not enough kindling and/or fuel to
establish draft
• Inadequate combustion air
• Air controls not open
Yes:
Competition with exhaust devices
Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081E
Solutions
Open air controls
Use more paper
Use drier kindling
Use small split wood that is well sea-
soned (split, covered on top minimum 6
months, preferably a year)
Arrange kindling and wood for air move-
ment
Use lighted rolled newspaper at flue
opening to start upward air movement
• Have chimney checked if it worked
previously
• Pre-warm chimney
• Shut off exhaust devices
• Open window slightly
Use more, drier, well-spaced kindling
and fuel.
• Use more kindling
• Use smaller, dry wood
• Use well-seasoned wood and suf-
ficient amount
• Turn exhaust fans off
• Open window slightly
Solutions
Have chimney cleaned
Solutions
No:
• Check & clean chimney if needed
• Use adequate kindling & fuel
• Open air controls
• Open window
• Check for need for balanced air
make-up (Outside Air)
• Check door rope for seal.
Yes:
• Do not use exhaust fans during
startup
• Check for need for balanced air
make-up (Outside Air)
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