Hearthstone Quality Home Heating Products, Inc
®
Craftsbury (Model 8392)
33
T
ROUBLESHOOTING
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 dependent 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 in the room
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 cook stove 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.
Operating the Stove
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.
