Heatiator C40 - Manual (Page 19)

4/20/11 Heatilator • Constitution EPA Fireplace • 480-1091D Page 19
C. Diagnostics and Problem Solving
Diagnostic Question Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
Are the air controls open? • No draft
• No combustion air
Open air controls
Is there enough paper? Insufficient heat to ignite kindling Use more paper
Is there enough kindling?
Is the kindling dry?
Insufficient heat to ignite fuel Use drier kindling
Is there enough or too much wood?
Is it too large?
Is it dry enough?
• Insufficient heat to establish draft
• Insufficient air passage
• Insufficient surface area
• Ignition temperature high due to
moisture
Use small split wood that is well sea-
soned (split, covered on top minimum 6
months, preferably a year)
Are there adequate air spaces
between fuel pieces?
Insufficient combustion air and
exposed surface area
Arrange kindling and wood for air move-
ment
Is the chimney pre-warmed? Exposed, cold chimney downdrafting Use lighted rolled newspaper at flue
opening to start upward air movement
Is there smoke in the house? • Obstruction in chimney
• Downdraft from chimney tem-
perature or from negative house
pressure
• Have chimney checked if it worked
previously
• Pre-warm chimney
• Shut off exhaust devices
• Open window slightly
Does the kindling wood not ignite? Condition, amount, arrangement of
kindling and fuel
Use more, drier, well-spaced kindling
and fuel.
Does the kindling ignite, but the fuel
doesn’t?
• Amount of kindling
• Condition of fuel
• Use more kindling
• Use smaller, dry wood
Does the fuel ignite, but not burn well? • Draft problem
• Condition of fuel
• Use well-seasoned wood and suf-
ficient amount
• Turn exhaust fans off
• Open window slightly
1. If I can’t get a good fire going, what am I doing wrong?
2. I smell smoke in the house after we have had a fire. What is the cause/what can I do?
Diagnostic Question Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
Is the chimney clean? No: Creosote odor Have chimney cleaned
3. I smell smoke in the house during operation. What is causing it?
Diagnostic Question Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
Do fires start and burn well? No:
• Chimney obstruction
• Not enough kindling and/or fuel to
establish draft
• Inadequate combustion air
• Air controls not open
Yes:
Competition with exhaust devices
No:
• Check & clean chimney if needed
• Use adequate kindling & fuel
• Open air controls
• Open window
• Check for need for balanced air
make-up (Outside Air)
• Check door rope for seal.
Yes:
• Do not use exhaust fans during
startup
• Check for need for balanced air
make-up (Outside Air)