Now that I've eliminated the wood as the source of all problems, I'm working on getting the most out of the insert. A couple of things have come up where I could use some guidance:
Layer of ash over the coals: I'll have a layer of glowing coals, maybe 2" deep. The damper is down all but 1/2" or so. The fan is on, but a layer of ash forms on the coals. Is this normal? It seems to me it would dampen the heat. I'm playing with adjusting the damper setting, but wondering what I should be aiming for.
Maximum heat output: I'm assuming that I'll get the most heat moved around with the fan on the high setting. If I have the damper open full while getting the fire going the fan will usually kick off. Once I damp down, sometimes as soon as I damp down, the fan kicks back on.
Overnight burns: Should I leave the fan on high? I don't need as much heat in the room overnight, but I don't want the room to get cold. The master bedroom, directly over the room with the insert, gets heated from heat coming off the chimney. Typical is that the living room will be 67 deg, the top of the stairs is 70 deg and the bedroom is 65.
Just to be clear, this is an insert not a stove. There is only one air control and that is the damper on the bottom of the unit.
Thanks,
Layer of ash over the coals: I'll have a layer of glowing coals, maybe 2" deep. The damper is down all but 1/2" or so. The fan is on, but a layer of ash forms on the coals. Is this normal? It seems to me it would dampen the heat. I'm playing with adjusting the damper setting, but wondering what I should be aiming for.
Maximum heat output: I'm assuming that I'll get the most heat moved around with the fan on the high setting. If I have the damper open full while getting the fire going the fan will usually kick off. Once I damp down, sometimes as soon as I damp down, the fan kicks back on.
Overnight burns: Should I leave the fan on high? I don't need as much heat in the room overnight, but I don't want the room to get cold. The master bedroom, directly over the room with the insert, gets heated from heat coming off the chimney. Typical is that the living room will be 67 deg, the top of the stairs is 70 deg and the bedroom is 65.
Just to be clear, this is an insert not a stove. There is only one air control and that is the damper on the bottom of the unit.
Thanks,