Chimney & Fireplaces/Old insert

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Expert: - 12/19/2007


Question
Hello Mr. Brooks, I bought a house about 1 ½ years ago that is wood heated only. There is an insert mounted in a 3 x 8 foot pillar with a stone chimney. It has 2 iron and glass doors, 2 blowers, 2 intakes, 2 heat outputs on the pillar and one heat vent in each of the 3 bedrooms. The blowers are controlled by a thermostat about 20’ away from the insert. There is 3 way toggle switch that controls the blower speed mounted by the thermostat. I believe the whole thing is the same age as the house, 25 years.

If I run the blowers faster than on the slowest speed the blowers will shut off and come back on and repeat. Can you tell why this happens?

I’m not getting very much heat out of the bedroom vents, not very much air flow. It seems to be taking in more air than it puts out. Any clue about this?

On one of the heat vents on the pillar there is a knob that I think is a rheostat, it doesn’t seem to do anything. Can you tell me what this is for?

Can you tell me how to identify the manufacture of old units like this?

I would appreciate any other information you might have about these old units.

Thank you for your time. Bruce

Answer
Bruce,

You asked, "If I run the blowers faster than on the slowest speed the blowers will shut off and come back on and repeat. Can you tell why this happens?" Your 25+ year old systems blower operates on a thermal switch regulated by temperature, every indication of probable failure. At higher speeds, more cold air runs through the heat exchanger and lowers the temp below the pre-set temp, and shuts off.



Second question, you asked, "I’m not getting very much heat out of the bedroom vents, not very much air flow. It seems to be taking in more air than it puts out. Any clue about this?" Any number of reasons, blockage within the vent, disconnection, hard to say.

As for the knob, identification of the manufacture, etc.. I would recommend that you contract with a chimney inspector that will be capable of performing an NFPA-211, level II inspection. This will answer the biggest question of operation in the future of this appliance. "Google" chimney inspections and be sure to request a qualified inspector. Best of luck and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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