Hearth and Home Technologies C-40 - Manual (Page 51)

November 11, 2008 Heatilator • Constitution EPA Fireplace • 480-1091C Page 51
L. Burning Process
Fire requires 3 things to burn: fuel, air and heat. If heat
is robbed from the fireplace during the drying stage, the
new load of wood has reduced the chances for a good
clean burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry,
seasoned firewood. We do not advise burning unsea-
soned wood, however if it happens, you must open the
Slide Air Control and burn the fireplace at a high burn
setting for a longer time to start it burning.
Kindling or 1st stage:
It helps to know a little about the actual process of burning
in order to understand what goes on inside a fireplace.
The first stage of burning is called the kindling stage.
In this stage, the wood is heated to a temperature high
enough to evaporate the moisture which is present in
all wood. The wood will reach the boiling point of water
(212°F) and will not get any hotter until the water is
evaporated. This process takes heat from the coals and
tends to cool the fireplace.
2nd stage:
The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the
period when the wood gives off flammable gases which
burn above the fuel with bright flames. During this stage
of burning it is very important that the flames be main-
tained and not allowed to go out. This will ensure the
cleanest possible fire. If you are adjusting your fireplace
for a low burn rate, you should close down the air to the
point where you can still maintain some flame. If the
flames tend to go out, the fireplace is set too low for your
burning conditions.
Final stage:
The final stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This
occurs when the flammable gases have been mostly
burned and only charcoal remains. This is a naturally
clean portion of the burn. The coals burn with hot blue
flames.
It is very important to reload your fireplace while enough
lively hot coals remain in order to provide the amount of
heat needed to dry and rekindle the next load of wood.
It is best to open the air control for a short while before
reloading. This livens up the coalbed. Open door slowly
so that ash or smoke does not exit fireplace through
opening. You should also break up any large chunks and
distribute the coals so that the new wood is laid evenly
on hot coals.
Fireplace operation does require air. Do not take air from
other fuel burning appliances which can result in improper
venting (smoking) or air dilution. Always provide adequate
makeup air.
CAUTION
M. Automatic Combustion Control (ACC)
T ypically, when you build a fire, you need to open the
controls to give the fire more air so the wood will get going.
You then have to go back to the unit and shut it down so
it doesn’t over-fire and burn up your wood too quickly.
With the Automatic Combustion Control system, you can
set the fireplace to high (all the way to the right), start
your fire, and then move the Slide Air Control to their
desired burn level. The fireplace will automatically go to
that level after the fire is fully established. This allows
for less interaction with the fire by the homeowner and
more efficient use of fuel while maintaining the desired
heat output.
IMPORTANT! As you move the control rod to the
right, about three-fourths of the way you will feel
some resistance. You must move past that resistance
approximately 3/4 in. (19mm) to fully engage the
Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) sytstem
NOTE: Close controls when not burning.
THE DECORATIVE FASCIA MUST BE REMOVABLE
ON YOUR FIREPLACE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE
AUTOMATIC COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM.
Figure 51.1 Operating the ACC Controls
*Slide Air Control
Slide LEFT to Stop
Stop to 1/8 in. -1/2 in. open
Stop to 1/2 in. - 1-1/2 in. open
All the way to RIGHT
Slide Air Control
Left-Close Right-Open
CLOSE OPEN
Outside Air Knob
Low
Position
Meet
Resistance
ACC Fully
Engaged