480-1081 26 4-03
North Star
EPA Certified Fireplace
NOTE:
When first lighting your fireplace, it may be
necessary to pre-warm the flue to establish a draft.
This is done by holding a rolled up piece of burning
newspaper under the flue for a few moments. This
will help reduce smoke spillage during start-up.
14. Draft Problems
This fireplace will operate correctly only if adequate
ventilation is provided to allow proper draft to the
fireplace system. Hearth & Home Technologies assumes
no responsibility for the improper performance of the
fireplace system caused by inadequate draft due to
environmental conditions, windy conditions, down drafts,
tight sealing construction of the structure, or mechanical
exhausting devices which will create a negative air
pressure within the structure where the fireplace is
located.
Flue draft is measured as negative pressure in the
chimney. The amount of negative pressure determines
how strong the draft is. The draft is important because
it draws the combustion air into the fireplace and pulls
the smoke out of the chimney.
There are three basic criteria essential in establishing
and maintaining flue draft:
Storing Wood
Splitting wood before it is stored reduces drying time.
The following guideline will ensure properly seasoned
wood:
a.
Stack the wood to allow air to circulate freely around
and through the woodpile.
b.
Elevate the woodpile off the ground to allow air
circulation underneath.
c.
The smaller the pieces, the faster the drying
process. Any piece over six inches in diameter
should be split.
c.
Wood should be stacked so that both ends of each
piece are exposed to air, since more drying occurs
through the cut ends than the sides. This is true
even with wood that has been split.
d.
Store wood under cover, such as in a shed, or
covered with a tarp, plastic, tar paper, sheets of
scrap plywood, etc., as uncovered wood can absorb
water from rain or snow, delaying the seasoning
process. Avoid covering the sides and ends
completely. Doing so may trap moisture from the
ground and impede air circulation.
• Availability of combustion air.
• Heat generated from the fire.
• Diameter and height of the flue system.
These three factors work together as a system to create
the flue draft. Increasing or decreasing any one of them
will affect the other two and thus change the amount of
draft in the entire system.
If the fire is hard to start and smoke spills out of the
fireplace, or you find it difficult to establish and maintain
a moderately high burn rate, then the flue draft is too
low and corrective measures must be taken.
Be sure you have air available for combustion and that
your firewood is dry and well seasoned. Build your
fires properly and according to the instructions given in
operating instructions, “Starting a Fire”. Be sure your
flue system is installed correctly and that it is the proper
diameter and height. Check for the following:
• All chimney sections are properly installed.
• The chimney is clean and free of creosote or soot
buildup.
• Make sure overhanging trees and branches are cut
back within ten feet of the top of the chimney.
• Ensure the chimney cap is clean and free of any
buildup of soot or creosote.
If you still suspect you have a low draft problem it may
be necessary to increase the volume of air in your
flue system. Since the diameter of your flue system
is matched with the size of the flue collar and should
not be changed, then the height of the system must
be increased. Add chimney sections a little at a time
until the draft improves.
In some cases, regardless of what you do, it can still
be difficult to establish the proper flue draft. This is
especially evident when using an exterior factory-built
chimney or exterior masonry chimney. Try placing
several sheets of crumpled paper on top of your kindling
as close to the flue outlet of the fireplace as possible.
Light this paper first then the paper under the kindling.
The heat generated from the rapidly burning paper on
top of the kindling should help get the draft established.
Still other factors can affect how well your flue system
performs. Neighboring structures, high winds, tall trees,
even hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney.
Well designed chimney caps are available that can help.
Your fireplace dealer is the local expert in your area.
He can usually make suggestions or discover problems
that can be easily corrected allowing your fireplace to
operate correctly as it has been designed, providing
safe and economical heat for your home.
