User's Manual

14 CAC
VENTING SYSTEM (CHIMNEY CONNECTOR AND CHIMNEY)
The venting system consists of the heater’s chimney connector (the pipe which connects the heater to the chimney)
and the chimney itself.
Soot – Formation and Need for Removal
When coal is burned, the products of combustion combine with moisture to form a soot residue which accumulates on
the fl ue lining. When ignited, this soot makes an extremely hot fi re.
The chimney connector and chimney should be inspected at least once every two months during the heating season to
determine if a soot buildup has occurred.
If soot has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fi re. A chimney fi re is usually indicated by
a roaring noise from within the chimney and/or a pinging noise within the chimney connector. Well developed chimney
fi res will emit ash and sparks from the top of the chimney.
If a chimney fi re occurs, turn the thermostat to “LO”, keep the feed door, ash and cabinet doors closed, call the fi re
department and protect the roof by wetting it with a garden hose or buckets of water. After the chimney fi re is over,
thoroughly inspect all combustible materials around the chimney and chimney connector for fi res that might have been
ignited by the intense heat. The chimney and chimney connector should then be inpected for any damage and repairs
made if necessary.
Although a properly constructed chimney should not be damaged by a chimeny fi re, it is best to prevent chimney fi res
by properly cleaning the chimney. There are special chimney cleaning services available in most cities. Most fi re de-
partments make free chimney inspections and can provide assistance in locating chimney cleaning or repair services.
CHIMNEY CONNECTOR PIPE-CORROSION INSPECTION
Chimney connector pipes do not last forever. Corrosion is particularly a problem if the inside of the pipe tends to get
damp from condensation of fl ue gases or from rain or snow getting into the chimney. Just being on an ocean coast can
also accelerate chimney connector pipe corrosion.
Chimney connector pipe replacement may be necessary more than once a season, but once every few years is more
typical. Every time the chimney and chimney connector are checked for creosote buildup, the strength and integrity of
the chimney connector pipes should also be checked.
Problems can arise during the operation of any coal heater. These problems can usually be traced to such things as
the venting system, draft, aged or failed parts, fuel, and operator error.
The troubleshooting suggestions contained in this section of the manual apply to the operation of all coal heaters.
Experience has shown that correct installation and good operating practices-including routine heater and venting system
maintenance, along with a good sound chimney, will eliminate most of the problems mentioned by this section of the
manual. Nonetheless, coal heater operators should make themselves aware of the nature, cause and solution to pos-
sible problems so as to help themselves obtain the best possible service from this heater.
THE VENTING SYSTEM-KEY TO GOOD HEATER PERFORMANCE
A majority of performance problems with coal burning heaters can be traced to some factor in the venting system that is
adversely affecting the heater. Air will fl ow into the heater and smoke will fl ow up the chimney only if there is suffi cient
difference between the air pressure in the room where the heater is located and the air pressure inside the chimney.
As hot gases and smoke fl ow up a chimney, the pressure in the chimney is lowered, creating a difference in pressure
inside and outside the chimney. When this pressure difference, often referred to as “draft pressure” or simply as “draft”,
is suffi cient, air will be drawn into the heater through its thermostatically controlled inlet air damper. This air supplies the
oxygen necessary for the coal to burn. If the draft is not suffi cient, insuffi cient oxygen will reach the burning fuel and it
will burn poorly. This condition can also cause smoke and dangerous gases to spill or backpuff from the heater into the
room. Backpuffi ng occurs when the air fl ow through the heater is insuffi cient to burn all the gases being released by
the coal causing them to build up until they ignite as a minor explosion. This causes smoke to puff out of every opening
in the heater and venting system.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperature in the heater. An uncontrollable burn or a glowing red heater part
or chimney connector is an indication of excessive draft. The amount of draft in the chimney depends on the length of
the chimney, local geography, nearby obstructions (even a tree that has grown tall can affect the draft of a chimney that
was previously trouble-free), and other factors.
The common unit used to measure draft is “INCHES IF WATER”. To determine the draft of your chimney, a draft pres-
sure reading should be taken with a DRAFT METER or a WATER MANOMETER. This requires someone with proper
equipment and knowledge of how to use it. Your heater dealer should be able to preform this task for you or recommend
someone who can.
For this heater, installations with a draft of .02 inches of water or less are considered marginal and will not burn reliably
as noted above. For this heater, it is not recommended that the draft exceed .06 inches of water or overfi ring can occur
as noted above. The recommended operating range for this heater is .03 to .06 inches of water.
TROUBLESHOOTING