Troubleshooting; Understanding Vent Problems; Draft Problems - Heat & Glo NORTHSTAR-BK Owner's Manual

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Troubleshooting

This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate ventila-
tion is provided to allow proper draft to the fireplace system.
Hearth & Home Technologies assumes no responsibility for
the improper performance of the fireplace 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 fireplace is located.
A. Understanding Vent Problems
If smoke spillage occurs from a fireplace opening when the
door is open and the proper chimney height, flue size, and
configuration requirements for the installation have been
met, there is either a leakage in the flue, a blockage in the
flue, or some condition is in effect to draw smoke from the
fireplace 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 flue joints or a damaged
flue joint in the chimney system. Such leakage would
reduce draft (air would be drawn in through the leaks rather
than through the fireplace). The result might be difficult
start-up and smoky fires that might spill if other adverse
draft conditions accompany this problem.
• Flue Blockage
B. Draft Problems
This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate ventila-
tion is provided to allow proper draft to the fireplace system.
Hearth & Home Technologies assumes no responsibility for
the improper performance of the fireplace system caused by
inadequate draft due to environmental conditions, windy con-
ditions, down drafts, tight sealing construction of the structure,
or mechanical exhausting devices which will create a negative
air pressure within the structure where the fireplace 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 com-
bustion air into the fireplace and pulls the smoke out of the
chimney.
There are three basic criteria essential in establishing and
maintaining flue draft:
• Availability of combustion air.
• Heat generated from the fire.
• Diameter and height of the flue system.
These three factors work together as a system to create
the flue draft. Increasing or decreasing any one of them will
affect the other two and thus change the amount of draft in
the entire system.
4/20/11
Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081E
If the fire is hard to start and smoke spills out of the fireplace,
or you find it difficult to establish and maintain a moderately
high burn rate, then the flue draft is too low and corrective
measures must be taken.
Be sure you have air available for combustion and that your
firewood is dry and well seasoned. Build your fires properly
and according to the instructions given in operating instruc-
tions, "Starting a Fire". Be sure your flue 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 baffle) and
the baffle 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 flue system.
Since the diameter of your flue system is matched with the
size of the flue 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-
ficult to establish the proper flue draft. This is especially evi-
dent 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 flue outlet of
the fireplace as possible. Light this paper first then the paper
under the kindling. The heat generated from the rapidly
burning paper on top of the kindling should help get the draft
established.
Still other factors can affect how well your flue system per-
forms. 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 fire-
place dealer is the local expert in your area. He can usually
make suggestions or discover problems that can be easily
corrected allowing your fireplace to operate correctly as it
has been designed, providing safe and economical heat for
your home.
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