My wife and I just moved into a home with a Greenwood hyrdonic furnace (100 series). We had moved into the home in December 2021. This is our first experience using this type of system to heat the home. The first 3-4 weeks we had been burning dried oak and it had been working fantastic to where I couldn't have been happier. Our issue that arose is that I started to notice that the wood wasn't really burning and started to build a very hot coal bed. When working properly the system was pretty easy to keep between 160-180. Once this coal bed started to form the heat dropped to 120 and I noticed that the fire had really changed. I decided to let this sit and clean the ash out, which I had been doing previously as well. This wasn't a situation where the ash had built too high. I pulled all of the hot coal from the stove and decided to try and clean this out. Using a wire brush I cleaned everything I could access. This allowed us to burn for about another 4-5 days before I started to notice the same hot coal bed. When you open the door, the fire rages and smoke just pillows out of the door. The minute you close the door the fire just disappears until you open the door again. Again, I can't get the furnace about 120 even though the hot coal bed that forms is plenty hot.
I cleaned the air intake with a wire brush, although the intake was not plugged. I cleaned the exhaust collar and chimney to where there is nothing built up. While there was certainly some ash and buildup in these areas it was nothing to suggest restricted air flow. I then checked the damper motor and everything seems to be operating as it should.
I have searched websites and watched videos. There isn't a lot of information out there outside of when Greenwood was still in business.
I was able to get in touch with the company who's number was on the furnace, but I am assuming they were just the supplier of said furnace and not necessarily who may have installed it. They confirmed for me that they themselves use similar furnaces and have to periodically clean this out. They suggested that I "pop" the sidewall off and clean out the area as I am probably restricting air-flow to the manifold. They specifically mentioned not to take the back of this off as there was too many pipes in the way to deal with.
My issue is that I cannot determine just how this would come apart. The sidewalls of this furnace are welded to the front. The only (easily) removable walls are the back.
Does anyone have any experience performing and cleaning or maintenance on the Greenwood Hyrdonic Furnace? I am currently running propane but we are experiencing -20 degree temps overnight and we wake up to a home at 58 degrees. I'm afraid with these temps that I am just flying through propane now that the furnace is out of commission. Again, I've cleaned the areas that I can reach and the air intake, exhaust collar, chimney, and damper motor seem to be ruled out from the issue. I feel as though the issue is behind the paneling that does not look removable.
Thank you,
Jeff
I cleaned the air intake with a wire brush, although the intake was not plugged. I cleaned the exhaust collar and chimney to where there is nothing built up. While there was certainly some ash and buildup in these areas it was nothing to suggest restricted air flow. I then checked the damper motor and everything seems to be operating as it should.
I have searched websites and watched videos. There isn't a lot of information out there outside of when Greenwood was still in business.
I was able to get in touch with the company who's number was on the furnace, but I am assuming they were just the supplier of said furnace and not necessarily who may have installed it. They confirmed for me that they themselves use similar furnaces and have to periodically clean this out. They suggested that I "pop" the sidewall off and clean out the area as I am probably restricting air-flow to the manifold. They specifically mentioned not to take the back of this off as there was too many pipes in the way to deal with.
My issue is that I cannot determine just how this would come apart. The sidewalls of this furnace are welded to the front. The only (easily) removable walls are the back.
Does anyone have any experience performing and cleaning or maintenance on the Greenwood Hyrdonic Furnace? I am currently running propane but we are experiencing -20 degree temps overnight and we wake up to a home at 58 degrees. I'm afraid with these temps that I am just flying through propane now that the furnace is out of commission. Again, I've cleaned the areas that I can reach and the air intake, exhaust collar, chimney, and damper motor seem to be ruled out from the issue. I feel as though the issue is behind the paneling that does not look removable.
Thank you,
Jeff
