Expert: James Ball - 7/19/2010

Question
Hi Jim,

While burning our new Napoleon direct vent gas fireplace for the first time I expected two things, There would be fumes and the wall above the fireplace would get very warm. In fact the house filled with smoke and the wall above the fireplace was too hot to touch and the paint cracked. It was burning on high for one hour. It was installed by the supplier and I saw the insulation go in the wall, I saw them reference the installation instructions several times. How hot is too hot? I'm afraid to use it again.

Answer
Hello Elizabeth, I would contact Napoleon directly and ask them these questions, if you have a point thermometer or some way to read the temp of the wall and surroundings that would help, as far as the smoking goes it might smoke a little but to "fill the house with smoke" is not normal, I have a direct vent free standing stove and it will get the area around the unit hot but no paint cracking.
what did the installer/seller say?
James