American Energy Systems O2 Catalytic - Manual (Page 34)

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3 Uncured or green wood will cause creosote buildup in the chimney, plug the catalyst, and provide little in the
way of heat.
4
Well-seasoned wood will improve the heat output of the stove. Fresh cut wood can contain over 80% moisture
and this moisture content should be reduced to less than 20% moisture before the cut wood is considered “fuel.”
5
“Seasoning” wood is the most appropriate and lowest cost method of reducing moisture content in cut wood.
Ideally, cut wood’s moisture content should be somewhere between 11 to 20%. Moisture meters are available for
checking cut wood moisture content but other methods can be used to determine or ensure appropriate wood moisture
content.
6
Softwoods should be seasoned from six to eighteen months. Hardwoods should be seasoned from 12 to 24
months. Logs that are 5” or greater in diameter need to be split in half, logs that are 8” or greater in diameter need to be
split in thirds, and logs that are 12” or greater in diameter need to be split in fourths. Even trees that are found in forests
and have been felled or broke off for several years will still require splitting and seasoning before they are used.
7
Store wood in uniformly stacked rows with walking space between each row. Store the wood elevated off the
ground. All of this allows for good air circulation around the stack. Do not stack cut wood against a building or against
any wall.
REMEMBER: Wood is one critical element of a complete stove heating system. Failure to select a proper grade of wood
fuel, failure to store wood fuel properly, or failure to maintain wood fuel in a dry state will lead to reduced stove
efficiency and increased maintenance and operational costs
CHIMNEY
Chimneys come in two basic varieties:
a) Masonry, as shown in FIGURE 16.
b) Factory Built, as shown in FIGURE 17
NOTE: Refer to the Chimney appendix for detailed information on chimney construction and venting techniques.
Whether masonry or factory built, chimneys are used to ensure proper venting in order to remove combustion exhaust
gases from the stove to the air outside the home. A chimney uses the fact that hot gases are light and therefore rise up
through the chimney thereby creating a DRAFT. Chimney draft is dependent on many factors. Three important factors
are: a) the height of the chimney, b) the quality of the chimney construction (no leaks), and c) a properly dimensioned
chimney when compared to the stove being connected to the chimney.
The performance of a stove, as a heating system, is heavily dependent on the quality of the chimney system. Chimney
systems have to meet stringent requirements in both the United States and Canada. For the model R and model O2, use
chimney connectors (pipe) with an outside diameter of 6” (150mm). For a model B and model BBF, use chimney
connectors with an outside diameter of 8” (200mm). Country Flame requires the use of a properly designed chimney that
is approved or listed with regulatory agencies.
Prefabricated chimney pipe must be UL 103 listed and be HT 2100 rated. Chimney components, such as the chimney
base, chimney fire stop (as required), chimney attic insulation shield, chimney-insulated tee, etc. are all required to be
listed components and purchased from the same manufacturer where the chimney connector was purchased. These listed
ancillary items are necessary to guarantee a proper, safe, and complete chimney system installation. CAUTION: Do not
mix and match different manufacturer’s chimney components. Once a single chimney component is selected, stay with
that specific manufacturer and follow all the chimney manufacturer’s installation requirements. ALWAYS follow a
specific chimney manufacturer’s installation instructions to exacting detail regardless of information provided from other
sources. If there is any discrepancy that requires clarification, please contact Country Flame or a local dealer for
assistance. Country Flame’s warranty requires a properly installed and listed chimney system.