Hearthstone Quality Home Heating Products, Inc.
®
Homestead Models #8570F and #8570H
42
Troubleshooting
Your Heating Needs
Nearly everyone who uses a woodstove experiences
basic common problems at one time or another. You
can correct most, usually with only a minor
adjustment to the stove, installation, or operating
technique. When weather conditions dramatically
affect stove performance, the problems are typically
temporary and solve themselves once the weather
changes.
If you think your stove is not producing adequate
heat, troubleshoot the problem by monitoring the
temperature of the stovepipe. A 400° Fahrenheit
(204° Celsius) stovepipe confirms the stove is
supplying sufficient heat. Keep in mind that your
house itself will regulate room and house
temperatures through a number of factors: how well
the walls, floors, and ceilings are insulated; the
number and size of glass windows; the tightness of
outside doors; and the construction or style of your
house (vaulted ceilings or other open spaces which
collect large percentages of heat).
Your stove’s performance is also dependant on its
installation. One common cause of poor
performance is an oversized chimney flue.
Oversized chimney flues result in decreased
pressure, which prevents the smoke from rising out
the chimney. Oversized flues are also more difficult
to heat effectively, especially when burning a high
efficiency stove. Cool flue temperatures inhibit the
establishment of a strong draft (and encourage the
accumulation of creosote). The lack of a strong draft
will cause the fire to die down and may even force
the smoke to pour into the room.
A properly sized chimney not easily establishing a
strong draft is simply not cold enough. Again, hot
chimneys promote stronger drafts. Other guidelines
for producing a strong draft include the following:
An “Airtight” House.
If your home is well insulated or
especially well sealed, the infiltration air supply to
the interior of the house may be inadequate. This
phenomenon of air starvation can be exacerbated if
exhaust fans (such as clothes dryers, bathroom
fans, or cook stove exhaust fans) are used in your
home. Outfitting your stove with the optional outside
air supply adapter, connected to an air duct leading
to the outside of your home, should correct this
problem.
Tall Trees or Buildings.
These obstructions, when
located close to the top of the chimney, can cause
chronic or occasional downdrafts. When selecting a
site for a new chimney, take care to consider the
placement of other objects in the vicinity of the
proposed chimney location.
Wind Velocity.
Generally, the stronger and steadier
a wind, the stronger (and better) the draft. However,
“gusty” wind conditions may cause erratic
downdrafts.
Barometric Pressure.
Chimney drafts are typically
sluggish on balmy, wet or muggy days. This is a
weather-related phenomenon, which generally is
self-correcting as the weather changes.
Briskness of the Fire.
The hotter your stove’s fire,
the hotter your chimney, and thus the stronger the
draft.
Breaks in the Venting System.
An unsealed clean-
out door at the bottom of the chimney, leaky
stovepipe joints, a poor stovepipe-to-thimble
connection, or a leaky chimney can all cause an
inadequate draft.
Seasonal Factors.
Early fall and late spring are
generally difficult seasons in which to establish
proper drafts. The colder the outside air (relative to
room temperatures), the stronger the draft.
Operating the Stove
There are days when a draft is not easily
established. As outlined above, seasonal factors or
a cold chimney may be the cause. Try starting the
fire by using small kindling and wood to obtain a
quick, hot fire. Tend the fire frequently with small
wood until the chimney is hot and the draft is well
established.
