Zone Heating - Century MATRIX 1900 Owner's Manual

3.2.2 The Top Down Method
This method is the opposite of the conventional method and only works properly if well-seasoned
wood is used.
Place three or four small, split, dry logs in the firebox. Arrange the kindling wood on the logs in
two layers at right angles and place a dozen finely split kindling on the second row.
It is possible to use ragged paper but it may not hold in place since it tends to roll while it is
burning. The best is to wrap a sheet on itself, grab the ends of the roll and make a knot. Use
four or five sheets of paper tied together and put them on top and around the kindling.
Open the air intake control completely, ignite the paper and close the door.
The down fire method has two advantages over the traditional method: first, the fire does not
collapse on itself, and it is not necessary to add wood gradually since the combustion chamber
is full before the fire is lit.
3.2.3 Two Parallel Logs Method
Two spit logs are placed in the firebox with a few sheets of twisted newspapers in between the
logs. Fine kindling is added across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin
style. Open the air intake control completely, ignite the paper and close the door.
3.2.4 Using Fire Starters
Commercial fire starters can be used instead of a newspaper. Always follow the instructions on
the packaging before use.
DO NOT USE CHEMICALS OR FLUID TO START THE FIRE.
NEVER USE GEL STARTER IF THERE ARE HOT EMBERS INSIDE THE FIREBOX. THE
BOTTLE OF GEL WILL CATCH ON FIRE.
3.3

Zone Heating

This insert is a space heater, which means it is intended to heat the area it is installed in, as well
as spaces that connect to that area, although to a lower temperature. This is called zone heating
and it is an increasingly popular way to heat homes or spaces within homes.
Zone heating can be used to supplement another heating system by heating a particular space
within a home, such as a basement, a family room or an addition that lacks another heat source.
Houses of moderate size and relatively new construction can be heated with a properly sized
and located wood insert. Whole house zone heating works best when the insert is in the part of
the house where the family spends most of its time. This is normally the main living area where
the kitchen, dining and living rooms are located.
Locating the insert in this area will give the maximum benefit of the heat it produces and will
achieve the highest possible heating efficiency and comfort. The space where the most time is
spent will be warmest, while bedrooms and basement (if there is one) will stay cooler. This way,
less wood is burned than with other forms of heating.
Page 12 Wood Inserts – Owner's Manual