Hearthstone Quality Home Heating Products, Inc
®
Bari Model 8171
44
Troubleshooting
C
OMMON
I
SSUES
Virtually all woodstove operators experience basic
common problems at one time or another. Most are
correctable and generally require only a minor
adjustment of the stove, installation, or operating
technique. In cases where weather conditions
dramatically affect stove performance, the problems
are typically temporary and solve themselves once the
weather changes.
If you question whether your stove is producing
adequate heat, the best way to troubleshoot the
problem is to monitor the temperature of the stack no
more than 12 inches (30 cm) above the flue collar. A
400° F (200° C) stovepipe confirms the stove is
supplying sufficient heat. Keep in mind that your house
itself will regulate room/house temperatures. How well
the walls, floors and ceilings are insulated, the number
and size of 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, ceiling fans, etc.) all are
determining factors of room temperature.
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 draft, 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 smoke to pour into the room.
If your chimney is the proper size and a strong draft is
not easily established, there is the possibility that the
chimney is too cold. Again, hot chimneys promote
stronger drafts. Opening a window briefly while lighting
the stove may help.
Other draft guidelines are as follows:
An
"AIRTIGHT" HOUSE:
The air supply (infiltration)
to the interior of the house may be inadequate if your
home is super-insulated or especially well sealed. This
phenomenon of air starvation within the building is
exacerbated if exhaust fans, such as clothes dryers,
bathroom fans or cookstove exhaust fans, are in
operation within the home. Outfitting your stove with
the optional outside air adaptor connected to an air
duct, which leads to the outside of the building, can
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, consider the
placement of other objects near the proposed chimney
location.
WIND VELOCITY:
Generally, the stronger and
steadier a wind, the stronger (better) the draft.
However, "gusty" wind conditions can cause erratic
downdrafts. For consistent problems, consider a high
wind cap, such as the Vacu-Stack.
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE:
Chimney drafts are
typically sluggish on balmy, wet or muggy days (low
barometric pressure). This is a weather-related
phenomenon, which generally is self-correcting as the
weather changes.
BRISKNESS OF FIRE:
The hotter the fire in your
stove, the hotter your chimney and, therefore, 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, missing caps, or a leaky chimney all can
cause inadequate draft.
SEASONAL FACTORS:
Early fall and late spring are
generally difficult seasons in which to establish proper
drafts. The colder the outside air is relative to room
temperature, the stronger the draft.
O
PERATING THE
S
TOVE
As outlined above, there are days when a good draft
is just not easy to establish. The causes are usually
seasonal factors or a cold chimney. Try starting the fire
by using small kindling and fuel to obtain a quick, hot
fire. Tend the fire frequently with small fuel until the
chimney is hot and the draft is well established.
Sometimes, partially opening a first floor window
briefly will help quickly get draft established.
