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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000 Insert
5.3 Combustion Cycles
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be
temperature variations in different parts of the house and there will be temperature variations
throughout day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages
of zone heating woodburning.
Wood inserts don’t have a steady heat output. It is normal for the temperature to rise after a new
load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decrease throughout the burning
cycle. This increasing and decreasing temperature can be matched with the household routines.
For example, the temperature in the area can be cooler when the household is active, and it can
be warmer when it is inactive.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
ends when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it
was when the wood was loaded.
Trying to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular intervals
is not recommended. Always place at least three, and preferably more pieces on the fire at a
time so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it. Each load of
wood should provide several hours of heating. The size of each load may vary depending on the
amount of heat required.
Burning in cycles means the insert door does not need to be opened while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage since it is preventing smoke leaking from the insert when the door is
opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney is on the outside wall of the
house.
5.4 Rekindling a Fire
When all that remains is embers, remove excess ash from the front of the firebox and bring the
ashes forward. Place a new load of wood on, and at the back of the embers. Open the air
control completely and close the door.
Raking the coals is useful for two reasons. First, it brings them near where most of the combustion
air enters the firebox. This will ignite the new load quickly. Secondly, the charcoal will not be
smothered by the new load of wood. When the embers are simply spread inside the combustion
chamber, the new load smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Close the air control only when the firebox is full of bright turbulent flames, the wood is charred,
and its edges are glowing.
If the door must be opened while the fire is flaming, fully open air control for a few
minutes then open the door slowly.
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