Majestic BC36 Owner's Manual page 11

be necessary to increase the height of your chimney top.
Contact your dealer for the necessary facts and installa-
tion instructions.
Cold Air Problems
Cold air problems are normally attributed to home environ-
ment and/or improper installation procedures. Should cold
air occur, check the following common situations:
Cold Air Coming From Firebox Opening
Inspect the flue damper to assure damper is sealed in the
closed position.
If your fireplace is equipped with optional outside air, in-
spect the damper control to assure damper is closed.
If your fireplace is enclosed in an exterior enclosure
(chase), the outer wall and inner wall above the fireplace
should be insulated. If not, cold air may transfer through
fireplace constructions causing a cold draft. If insulation is
not present, contact your local Vermont Castings Group
dealer for proper insulating procedure.
Cold Air Present at Fireplace and Surround Facing
If noncombustible materials (brick, stone, marble, tile, etc.)
are used to finish fireplace face, inspect area between
fireplace and facing material for gaps. If gaps appear, area
must be sealed with a noncombustible material to prevent
cold air from entering the room.
Intermittent Cold Air Problems
If your home is tightly sealed and well insulated with a
forced air heating system, kitchen or bathroom ventilation
fans, cold air may occur when these items are in use. If
cold air comes from the firebox area, fireplace and surround
facing material area and/or inlet/outlet grilles (heat-circulat-
ing models only) there may be a lack of makeup air in your
home. To check, place a burning candle on the extended
hearth in front of the fireplace. Turn ON the forced air
items one at a time. Watch candle flame. If flame is drawn
away from the fireplace, open an outside door or window.
If flame returns to upright position, these systems are us-
ing the fireplace system for makeup air and causing the
various cold air situations. As a solution, install a fresh air
vent in the room or area requiring the most replacement
air. A qualified heating contractor can help you.
Catalytic Combustor Problems (EWF36)
When to Suspect a Combustor Problem
The best way to evaluate the performance of your EWF36's
combustor is to observe the amount of smoke leaving the
chimney - both when the combustor has "lighted-off" and
when it has not. Follow these steps:
•
With a fire going and the combustor properly activated,
with the damper closed to route smoke through it as
described in the Operation Section, go outside and
observe the smoke leaving the chimney.
20000706
•
Then, open the flue damper and once again check the
smoke leaving the chimney.
You should see significantly more smoke when the stove
damper is open and exhaust does not pass through the
combustor. However, be careful not to confuse smoke with
steam from wet wood. Steam dissipates in the air quickly;
smoke does not.
If this test indicates a problem, consider other possible fac-
tors as well, such as the weather or a change in the quality
of your fuel. In warm weather, draft is weaker than it is in
colder winter weather and fires can burn sluggishly. Small,
hot fires are a good solution under these conditions.
Burning "green" (insufficiently seasoned) wood will result
in poorer performance than burning properly seasoned
fuel. You may have to run your fireplace hotter (more air)
to achieve acceptable performance using green or wet
wood.
Also consider any changes in your operating routine.
Once you have ruled out any other possible causes for a
decline in performance, inspect and clean the combustor
if necessary.
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