American Energy Systems Ovation - Manual (Page 16)

Version 7.1 16
5. Blocked Chimney
The chimney serves as an exit for all gases created during the burn process. Blockage (heavy
soot, dirt, or debris) of either the chimney or the air intake port may make the Ovation Stove
operate improperly or render it unusable. Always ensure, prior to the heating season, that a
qualified chimney sweep or stove service technician has checked the stove, chimney, and any
outside air intake system for proper operation.
6. Chimney To Short
The Ovation Stove minimum chimney height is 8 feet. The chimney must extend at least 3 feet
(915 mm) above its point of contact with the roof and at least 2 feet (610 mm) higher than any
roof or wall within 10 feet (3 cm) of it. If installed with offsets, the minimum chimney height
is 12 feet. Additional chimney height will increase draft and therefore will decrease the
tendency of the Ovation to smoke. FIGURE 5 shows a sloped roof chimney installation.
FIGURE 5: CHIMNEY INSTALLATION DIMENSIONS
7. Poor Chimney Draft
Perform the following simple test of your chimney draft. With no fire in the Ovation firebox
hold a lit match (smoke should be trailing from the match) inside the firebox towards the upper
one third of the top of the firebox. If the draft is proper, you should see the match smoke
exhausted up through the firebox. Chimneys installed against an outside wall without
insulation may generate back draft problems, which will cause problems in starting your
Ovation fire. This problem occurs because the chimney is cold and thus holds its temperature
for some time despite a fire in the firebox. To minimize this problem open a nearby window.
Now roll up a piece of paper and light it inside the firebox. Hold this lit paper towards the
upper part of the firebox. It may be necessary to repeat this step several times in order to obtain
proper operating temperature in the chimney so a good draft can be sustained. Be careful not to
burn yourself with the paper. Once you see the smoke from the lit paper is drafting better you
can build a better fire.