Hearth and Home Technologies CL36D - Manual (Page 26)

12538 Rev D 26 02-02
CL36D AND CR36D INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Figure 26
Proper Operating Positions of Bi-Fold Doors
WARNING!
Burning wet, unseasoned wood can cause ex-
cessive creosote accumulation. When ignited
it can cause a chimney fire that may result in a
serious house fire.
CAUTION:
When left closed while burning your fireplace,
firescreens and glass doors will be HOT.
Handle with care!
WARNING!
Do not store fuel within the clearances to com-
bustibles, or in the space required for refueling
and ash removal. See maintenance instructions,
“Clear Space Near the Fireplace”.
4. Glass Doors
Most efficient fireplace operation using glass doors
is with the doors open. When the doors are open, the
screen must be closed. Only Hearth Technologies Inc.
glass doors may be used. See Figure 26 for proper
glass door operation.
5. Grate
The factory installed integral grate must be used to
hold the logs from falling out of an open fireplace and
to allow air to pass between the burning logs. It is
important to keep the fire off the hearth and to allow
the ashes to collect beneath the fire, thereby forming
a layer of additional heat protection.
6. Firescreen
A firescreen is always provided to control sparks. It
must be closed whenever the fireplace is in use.
Glass doors or firescreens must not be used to hold
burning material inside the fireplace. Only those glass
door units specifically tested and listed for use with
the specific fireplace model should be used. Screens
should be closed when the glass doors are closed.
7. Wood Fuel
FIREWOOD: Your fireplace performance depends on
the quality of the firewood you use. All seasoned wood,
regardless of species, contains about 8,000 BTU’s
per pound, and hardwoods have a greater density
than soft woods. A piece of hardwood will contain
about 60% more BTU’s than an equal size piece of
soft wood. Firewood is commonly sold by the cord
(128 cu. ft.). A cord of seasoned oak (hardwood) would
contain about 60% more potential energy than a cord
of seasoned pine (soft wood).
Soft woods are generally considered coniferous.
These are trees with needle-like leaves that stay
green all year and carry their seeds exposed in a cone.
Examples of soft wood trees are Douglas fir, pine,
spruce, and cedar. Soft woods require less time to
dry, burn faster and are easier to ignite than
hardwoods.
Hardwoods are generally considered deciduous.
Deciduous trees are broadleaf trees that lose their
leaves in the fall. Their seeds are usually found within
a protective pod or enclosure. Some examples are
oak, maple, apple, and birch. It should be noted that
there are some deciduous trees that are not
considered hardwoods, such as poplar, aspen, and
alder. Hardwoods require more time to season, burn
slower and are usually harder to ignite than soft
woods.
The best wood fuel is a combination of soft wood and
hardwood. Start the fire with soft wood; the fire will
give off quick heat to bring the appliance up to
operating temperature, and then the hardwood can
be added for slow, even heat and longer burn time.
MOISTURE: Regardless of which species of wood you
burn, the single most important factor that effects the
way your fireplace operates is the amount of moisture
in the wood. The majority of the problems fireplace
owners experience are caused by trying to burn wet,
unseasoned wood.
Freshly cut wood can be as much water as it is wood,
having a moisture content of around 50%. Imagine a
wooden bucket that weighs about eight pounds. Fill
it with a gallon of water, put it in the fireplace and try to
burn it. This sounds ridiculous but that is exactly what
you are doing if you burn unseasoned wood.