CFM BC Series Homeowner's Manual page 12

Smoking Occurs After the Fire has been Burning for
Some Time
In fueling and tending the fire, your fire may have worked
forward in the firebox. Push your fire toward the back of
the firebox with a suitable tool.
If your home is tightly sealed and well insulated, the lack
of sufficient combustion air will cause a smoking condi-
tion. If your fireplace is equipped with outside air, check
and make sure air control is open. If your fireplace is not
equipped with outside air, slightly open a door or win-
dow. In either case smoking should discontinue. Since
the optional outside air system is very difficult to add af-
ter initial installation is completed, the solution would be
to add a fresh air vent to the home or continue to open a
door or window.
If your home is tightly sealed and equipped with a forced
air heating system, kitchen and/or bathroom ventilation
fans, smoking may occur only when these items are in
use. Slightly open a door or window when system(s) is
running. If smoking stops, your problem is insufficient
makeup air in the home. These systems are using the
open fireplace flue to meet their air needs. 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.
Smoking is Intermittent When the Wind is Coming
from a Certain Direction or is Blowing Hard
You probably are experiencing a downdraft situation
in your chimney. This situation can be caused by the
chimney top being too low or nearby obstructions such
as buildings, trees or even a high portion of your home.
In some cases a wind deflector can be added to the rain
cap, or it may be necessary to increase the height of
your chimney top. Contact your dealer for the necessary
facts and installation instructions.
Cold Air Problems
Cold air problems are normally attributed to home envi-
ronment 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,
inspect 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 insula-
tion is not present, contact your local CFM Corporation
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
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between fireplace and facing material for gaps. If gaps
appear, area must be sealed with a noncombustible ma-
terial 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 ventila-
tion 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-circulating 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 posi-
tion, these systems are using 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
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 activat-
ed, with the damper closed to route smoke through it
as described in the Operation Section, go outside and
observe the smoke leaving the chimney.
•
Then, open the stove 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
factors 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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