Diagnostics And Problem Solving - Heatilator EL36 Series Owner's Manual

B. Diagnostics and Problem Solving
I can't get a good fi re going. What am I doing wrong?
Diagnostic Questions
Is the damper open?
Is there enough paper/starter?
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?
I don't get enough/any heat from the fi replace. What can I do about it?
Diagnostic Questions
How much wood is used for
fi re?
How well seasoned is the
wood?
Do you have a blower (where
possible)?
How much heat output do you
expect?
Possible Causes of Condition
• No draft
• Insuffi cient heat to ignite kindling
• Insuffi cient heat to ignite fuel
• Insuffi cient heat to establish draft
• Insuffi cient air passage
• Insuffi cient surface area
• Ignition temperature high due to moisture
• Insuffi cient combustion air and exposed
surface area
• Exposed, cold chimney down drafting
• Damper closed
• Obstruction in chimney
• Down draft from chimney temperature or
from negative house pressure
• Condition, amount, arrangement of kindling
and fuel
• Amount of kindling
• Condition of fuel
• Condition of fuel
• Draft problem
Possible Causes of Condition
• Insuffi cient fuel
• Condition of fuel
• Yes: Turning blower on too early or setting
too high, cooling fi rebox
No: Need for all heat boosts possible
• Unrealistic expectations
Heatilator • EL36/EL42 • 4044-132 Rev P • 02/07
Solutions
Open damper.
Use more paper/starter.
Use more dry kindling.
Use small split wood that is well seasoned (split, covered on top at
least 6 months, preferably a year).
Arrange kindling and wood for air movement.
Use lighted rolled newspaper at throat or fl ue opening to start
upward movement.
Check damper; 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 suffi cient amount; turn exhaust fans
off; open window slightly. Perform Simplifi ed House Pressure Test.
Solutions
Make larger fi res.
Burn seasoned wood: covered on top, split and stacked for 9
months to 2 years.
Yes: Wait until fi re established and leave on lower speed.
No: Add blower if available.
Explanation of decorative nature of fi replace; suggestion of
approved fi replace insert.
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