Lacunza ALTEA User manual

ALTEA
Instruction Book

PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE 1
1.
Lacunza congratulates you on your choice.
Certified under ISO 9001, Lacunza guarantees the quality of its appliances and undertakes to
meet the needs of its customers.
Confident of the know-how afforded by more than 50 years’ experience, Lacunza uses
advanced technologies in the design and manufacture of its entire range of appliances. This
document will help you install and use your appliance in optimum conditions for your comfort
and safety.
CONTENTS
PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE ....................................................................................................3
1.1. General characteristics................................................................................................................................. 3
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER ...................................................................................................5
2.1. Warning to installers.................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Room for installation.................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1. Ventilation of the room............................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2.2. Location of the appliance in the room ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.3. Installation of the appliance......................................................................................................................... 6
2.3.1. Floor......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3.2. Safety distances........................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.3.3. Checks before lighting for the first time................................................................................................................... 6
2.3.4. Height adjustment and levelling the appliance ........................................................................................................ 6
2.3.5. Connection to the flue.............................................................................................................................................. 6
2.4. Chimney flue ................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.4.1. Type of flue .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.4.2. Chimney crown ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.4.3. Poor flue................................................................................................................................................................... 8
INSTRUCTIONS OF USE......................................................................................................................10
3.1. Fuel............................................................................................................................................................. 10
3.2. Description of the parts of the appliance................................................................................................... 11
3.2.1. Operating components .......................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3. Lighting....................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4. Safety ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.5. Loading fuel................................................................................................................................................ 12
3.6. Operation................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.7. Removing ash............................................................................................................................................. 12
3.8. Instructions for cooking ............................................................................................................................. 12
3.9. Deflectors................................................................................................................................................... 13
MAINTENANCE AND IMPORTANT ADVICE........................................................................................16
4.1. Maintenance of the appliance ................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.1. Firebox ................................................................................................................................................................... 16

PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE 2
1.
4.1.2. Inside the appliance ............................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.3. Flue socket ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
4.1.4. Painted sheet-steel-cast-iron parts. ....................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.5. Firebox glass........................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.6. Oven....................................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.2. Maintenance of the chimney flue .............................................................................................................. 17
4.3. Important advice........................................................................................................................................ 17
TROUBLESHOOTING..........................................................................................................................18
BASIC BREAKDOWNS ........................................................................................................................19
DECLARATION OF PERFORMANCE....................................................................................................20
CE MARK ...........................................................................................................................................22

PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE 3
1.
PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE
For optimum operation of the appliance, we advise you to read this manual carefully before
switching on the appliance for the first time. In case of problems or concerns, we urge you to
contact your dealer, who will cooperate with you.
In order to improve the product, the manufacturer reserves the right to make changes
without notice by updating this document.
This appliance is designed to burn wood in absolutely safe conditions.
WARNING: Faulty installation may have serious consequences.
Installation and all necessary regular maintenance operations must be performed by an
authorized installer in full accordance with the specifications set out in the legislation
applicable in each country and this instruction book.
1.1. General characteristics
Unit
ALTEA
Nominal Heat Output (N.H.O.) to atmosphere
kW
12
Efficiency at N.H.O.
%
79
CO emission at 13% O2 at N.H.O.
%
0.10
Gas mass flow at N.H.O.
g/s
11.4
Gas temperature downstream of flue socket at N.H.O.
ºC
259
Optimum flue draught
Pa
12
Wood consumption (beech) at N.H.O.
Kg/h
3.4
Dimensions of the firebox
Width
mm
530
Depth
mm
220
Useful height
mm
280
Dimensions of the logs
cm
50
Volume heated (45w/m³) at N.H.O.
m³
255
Log load frequency
h
1
Useful dimensions of the oven
Width
mm
443
Depth
mm
355
Useful height
mm
253
Capacity of the ashpit
L
1.5
Weight
kg
126
Flue socket diameter
mm
150
Note: The values indicated in the above table are based on tests performed in accordance
with UNE-EN 13240 with logs with no more than 18% humidity and pressure conditions as
indicated in each case.

PRESENTATION OF THE APPLIANCE 4
1.
Warning: this appliance is designed and prepared to work with the types of fuel, degree of
humidity of the fuel, fuel loads, fuel load frequencies, flue draught and system of installation
indicated in this Instruction Book. Failure to respect these conditions may lead to problems
with the appliance (deterioration, shorter useful life, etc.) which are not covered by the
Lacunza warranty.
Figure No.1 - Dimensions of the ALTEA appliance in mm

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER 5
2.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
INSTALLER
2.1. Warning to installers
All local and national regulations,
including all those referring to national and
European standards, must be observed
when installing the appliance.
Installation of the appliance must be
performed by an authorised installer.
An incorrectly installed appliance may
lead to serious incidents (fires, creation of
harmful gases, deterioration of nearby
fixtures, etc.).
Lacunza’s liability is limited to the
supply of the material and does not include
installation of the appliance.
2.2. Room for installation
2.2.1. Ventilation of the room
The appliance needs to consume
oxygen (air) in order to work properly.
Ensure a suitable air supply in the room in
which the appliance is fitted. This quantity
of oxygen is additional to the oxygen that
we need in order to breathe (air renewal).
In order to ensure the high quality of
the air you breathe and to avoid potential
accidents resulting from high
concentrations of the gases produced by
combustion (mainly carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide), it is absolutely crucial to
ensure the suitable renewal of the air in
the room in which the appliance is fitted.
the room must always have at least two
permanent grilles or openings to the
exterior in order to renew the air (one for
intake and the other for extraction).
For the installation of its appliances,
Lacunza recommends an additional section
for these openings. One of these two grilles
must be situated high up in the room (at
less than 30 cm from the ceiling) and the
other one low down (at less than 30 cm
from the floor). Both grilles must open
outdoors in order to renew the air in the
room with fresh air.
The minimum section that each of these
grilles must have depends on the nominal
output of the appliance in accordance with
the following table:
Figure No.2 - Guideline indications for
ventilation grilles
The appliance must always be used with
the doors closed.
In rooms equipped with Controlled
Mechanical Ventilation, the system
extracts and renews the ambient air; in
such cases, the room is at slightly low
pressure and it is necessary to install a non-
closable outside-air inlet with a section of
at least 90 cm².
Output of the
appliance
(kW)
Minimum
additional section
of eachof the
grilles(cm2)
P ≤ 10kW 70
10 < P ≤ 15 90
15 < P ≤ 20 120
20 < P ≤ 25 150
25 < P ≤ 30 180
30 < P ≤ 35 210
P>35 240

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER 6
2.
2.2.2. Location of the appliance in the
room
Choose a location in the room which
favours good hot-air distribution by
convection and radiation.
2.3. Installation of the appliance
2.3.1. Floor
Make sure that the base can withstand
the total constructed weight of the
appliance and its casing.
When the floor surface (base) is
combustible, fit suitable insulation.
2.3.2. Safety distances
Be sure to respect the appliance
installation distances from combustible
materials. Looking at the appliance head-
on:
Distance to
combustible
materials
(mm)
From the right-hand side
800
From the left-hand side
800
From the rear
non
combustible
materials
From the front
1300
Bear in mind that it may even be
necessary to protect non-combustible
material in order to prevent breakage,
deformation, etc., as a result of
overheating if the non-combustible
material is not designed to withstand high
temperatures.
2.3.3. Checks before lighting for the first
time
•Make sure that the glasses are
not broken or damaged.
•Make sure that the flueway is
not obstructed with packing or
loose parts.
•Make sure that the airtight
joints on the flue circuit are in
perfect condition.
•Make sure that the doors close
properly.
•Make sure that all moving parts
are fitted in place.
•Check that the two deflectors
are fitted properly.
2.3.4. Height adjustment and levelling the
appliance
The appliance must be perfectly level,
horizontally and vertically, both at the
front and on the sides (use a spirit level).
2.3.5. Connection to the flue
The appliance must be connected to the
chimney flue using special piping designed
to resist the products of combustion (e.g.
stainless steel, enamelled steel, etc.).
To connect the flue to the socket flange,
insert the piping inside the flange and seal
the joint with fire sealant or fire cement to
make it completely airtight.
The installer must ensure that the pipe
connected to the appliance is well secured
and there is no chance of it coming free
from its housing (e.g. as a result of
dilatation due to temperature, etc.).
On this appliance, the flue socket can be
fitted on top of the appliance.
2.4. Chimney flue
The chimney flue must comply with
present standards on the installation of
chimneys.
In rooms equipped with Controlled
Mechanical Ventilation, the ventilation
outlet must never be connected to the
flue.
The appliance must always have its own
chimney flue, never sharing a chimney flue
with another appliance.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER 7
2.
2.4.1. Type of flue
The flue must be made of special
material designed to resist the products of
combustion (e.g. stainless steel, enamelled
steel, etc.).
Non-central-heating appliances
(without back boiler) require an insulated,
double-sleeve flue only on those sections
that run outdoors or through cold areas.
Single piping can be used inside the
building, the heat of the gases serving to
heat rooms, insulating only those sections
where excess temperature may cause
damage.
If the chimney is constructed, then it is
necessary to pipe and insulate it to ensure
correct updraught.
The diameter of the pipe must be the
same as the diameter of the flue socket on
the appliance over its entire length in order
to ensure correct operation.
The flue must prevent the entry of
rainwater.
The flue must be clean and airtight over
its entire length.
The flue must be at least 6m tall and the
chimney cap must not hinder the free
release of gases.
If the flue tends to suffer from
downdraught, then it is necessary to fit an
effective anti-downdraught cowl, a static
cowl or a smoke extraction fan, or reshape
the chimney.
Never make 90º bends, due to the great
loss of draught they cause, and reduce 45º
bends down to an absolute minimum. Each
45º bend is equivalent to a 0.5m reduction
in flue length. Horizontal flue sections
should not be installed because they cut
updraught a great deal.
If the flue draws at more than 20 Pa on
12Pa appliances, then an effective damper
must be fitted on the flueway. This damper
must be visible and accessible.
The chimney flue must not rest on the
appliance.
Bear in mind that high temperatures
may be reached in the flue, meaning that it
is essential that insulation be enhanced in
sections in which combustible material is
present (wooden beams, furniture, etc.). It
may even be necessary to protect non-
combustible material in order to prevent
breakage, deformation, etc., as a result of
overheating if the material is not designed
to withstand high temperatures.
It must be possible to clean the entire
flue, no sections being left inaccessible for
cleaning purposes.
2.4.2. Chimney crown
The upper end of the chimney must
clear the roof, the roof ridge or any
obstacle located on the roof by at least 1m.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER 8
2.
Figure No.3 - Distances between chimney crown
and roof ridge
The chimney crown must clear the
highest point of any neighbouring building
or obstacle located within a 10m radius of
the chimney outlet by more than 1m.
Figure No.4 - Distances between the chimney
crown and objects within a 10m radius
The chimney crown must clear any
neighbouring building or obstacle located
within a radius of 10m to 20m from the
chimney outlet.
Figure No.5 - Distances between the chimney
crown and objects within a radius of between
10 and 20m
2.4.3. Poor flue
If not all the requirements indicated
previously have been met, smoke may
escape from the appliance into the room in
which it is installed when the firebox door
is opened. This is because the flue is unable
to generate enough updraught.
Before doing anything else, the installer
should correct deficiencies in the
installation, bearing in mind: the material,
insulation, diameter, airtightness,
cleanliness, height, verticality/straightness,
chimney crown, etc.
If sufficient updraught is not achieved
by correcting the flue installation, Lacunza
supplies an accessory for exceptional cases:
a part which seals the top of the front part
of the appliance and helps prevent smoke
escaping into the room. Logically, this
reduces both the view of the fire and the

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLER 9
2.
loading aperture on the appliance.
Figure No.6 - Accessory to help in the event of
downdraught as a result of a poor flue
This accessory should be ordered from
the factory and, considering that the
problem is the result of a poor installation,
must be paid for by the person ordering
the part.

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 10
3.
INSTRUCTIONS OF USE
The manufacturer accepts no liability
whatsoever for damage caused to parts as
a result of the improper use of non-
recommended fuels, modifications made
to the appliance or how it is installed.
Only use original replacement parts.
All local and national regulations,
including those referring to national and
European standards, must be observed
when using the appliance.
Heat is diffused by radiation and
convection via the front and exterior of the
appliance.
3.1. Fuel
This appliance must not be used as an
incinerator. Do not use non-recommended
fuels.
•Use dry logs (max. 16%
humidity), cut at least 2 years
ago, clean of resin and stored in
a sheltered, ventilated place.
•Use hard woods with high
calorie values and good ember
production.
•Large logs should be cut to
useable lengths before being
stored. The logs should have a
maximum diameter of 150mm.
•Finely-chopped wood produces
greater heat output, but also
burns more quickly.
Optimum fuels:
•Beech.
Other fuels:
•Oak, chestnut, ash, maple,
birch, elm, etc.
•Pine and eucalyptus logs are
low density and produce very
long flames, and may cause the
parts of the appliance to wear
out more quickly than normal.
•Resinous wood may mean that
the appliance and the flue need
to be cleaned more often.
Non-permitted fuels:
•All types of coal and liquid fuel.
•“Green wood”. Green or damp
wood reduces the performance
of the appliance and leads to
soot and tar build-up on the
inner walls of the flue,
obstructing it.
•“Recovered wood”. The burning
of treated woods (railway
sleepers, telegraph posts,
plywood, fibreboard, pallets,
etc.) quickly blocks the system
(soot and tar build-up), harms
the environment (pollution,
smells) and may lead to
deformation of the firebox due
to overheating.
•All materials which are not
wood (plastic, spray cans, etc.).
Green and reprocessed wood may cause
chimney fires.
The graph below shows how the
humidity of firewood affects its heat
output:
Figure No.7 - Relationship between firewood
humidity and heat output.

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 11
3.
3.2. Description of the parts of the appliance
3.2.1. Operating components
Figure No.8 - Operating components on the appliance
•A: Firebox door handle
•B: Primary air intake
oB1 open (right)
oB2 closed (left)
•C: Secondary air intake
oC1 open (right)
oC2 closed (left)
•D: Oven door handle
•E: Oven thermometer
•F: Cleaning hatch
•G: Double combustion air intake
3.3. Lighting
Use of the appliance in warm weather
(warm days, early hours of the afternoon
on sunny days) may lead to lighting and
updraught problems.
Certain weather conditions, such as fog,
ice, humidity entering the flue, etc., may
hinder sufficient updraught in the flue and
lead to suffocation.
Proceed as follows in order to light the
appliance satisfactorily:
•Open the firebox door(s) and
open all the firebox air-intake
inlets to the full.
•Place paper or a firelighter and
some wood chips in the firebox.
•Light the paper or firelighter.
•Leave the door slightly ajar, the
width of two or three fingers,
for about 15 minutes until the
glass warms up.
•The first time the appliance is
lit, the fire should be gentle to
allow the parts of the appliance
to dilate and dry.
Important: The first time it is lit up, the
appliance may give off smoke and strange
smells. This is not a cause for concern.
Open an outdoor window to ventilate the
room during the first few hours of
operation.
If you notice water around the
appliance, this is produced by the
condensation of the moisture in the wood
on lighting the fire. This condensation will
no longer appear when the appliance has
been lit three or four times and has
adapted to its flue. If it does not disappear,
then check the flue draught (length and
diameter of the flue, flue insulation,

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 12
3.
airtightness) and the humidity of the wood
used.
3.4. Safety
Do not store combustible materials
beneath the appliance.
3.5. Loading fuel
In order to load firewood, open the
firebox door gently preventing the sudden
entry of air to the firebox so that smoke
does not enter the room that the appliance
is installed in.
Perform this operation with the glove to
prevent burns to the hands.
The maximum load height is 2 logs with
diameters of approx. 10 cm.
The minimum interval between loads
for nominal heat output is 60 minutes.
Always load with the nominal amount
(see table in section 1.1).
For minimum burning (e.g. at night), use
thicker logs.
When the firebox is loaded, close the
door.
Be careful when placing logs in the firebox
on appliances with vermiculite interiors.
Vermiculite is a fragile material and may
crack if knocked.
3.6. Operation
The appliance should be operated with
the doors closed.
For safety reasons, never close all the
appliance’s combustion-air intakes.
Primary-air intake
By opening this inlet, air enters the
firebox via the firebox grille.
Secondary-air intake
By opening this inlet, air enters the
firebox via the top of the firebox door.
IMPORTANT: Keeping the secondary-air
intake open helps keep the door glass
cleaner for longer.
IMPORTANT: The appliance is exposed to
extreme changes in temperature and may,
as a result, make noises when in operation.
These noises are a natural result of
expansion/contraction of the parts which
make up the appliance. Do not be alarmed
by noises of this kind.
In order to obtain maximum output,
open all the air intakes to the firebox and
in order to obtain minimum output, tend
towards closing them. For normal use, we
recommend you close the Primary Intake
and leave the Secondary air Intakes open.
3.7. Removing ash
Following sustained use of the
appliance, it is necessary to remove the ash
from the firebox. Remove the ashpit box
when cold or using something to prevent
yourself from getting burned (glove).
Never throw hot embers into the
rubbish.
Access the ashpit by opening the door
on the appliance.
3.8. Instructions for cooking
The appliance allows you to cook in the
oven.
The oven contains an oven tray and an
oven rack.

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 13
3.
The oven thermometer gives an
approximate reading of the temperature
inside the oven. While the appliance is
warming up, which may take two hours,
the thermometer indicates a temperature
lower than the real temperature inside the
oven (due to the thermal inertia).
The oven also has a steam extraction
system. When certain types of food are
being cooked, they give off steam. This
steam can be released from the oven via
the flue. To do this, open the secondary air
Intakes.
Figure No.9 - Steam extraction system
The oven rack can be placed for both
cooking in the oven and roasting.
To place in the firebox you have to
follow the following steps:
1. - Take the grill with the
manipulator handle of the central
part.
Figure No.10 - Take the grill with the
manipulator handle of the central part .
2. - Place with a little tilt on the side
supports and then push in.
Figure No.11 - Placement of the oven rack in
the firebox
3.9. Deflectors
The appliance has 2 vermiculite
deflectors and a stainless-steel
reinforcement that joins them together.

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 14
3.
Dismantling the Altea deflector
First extract the stainless-steel
reinforcement. In order to do this, draw it
towards the front of the appliance to
release it from the vermiculite parts.
Figure No.12 - First movement to release the
reinforcement
Then rotate the reinforcement as
shown:
Figure No.13 - Turning the stainless-steel
reinforcement
Let the stainless-steel reinforcement
drop onto the vermiculite deflectors.
Figure No.14 - Reinforcement on the vermiculite
deflectors
The vermiculite deflectors can then be
extracted as shown:
Figure No.15 - Extracting the vermiculite
deflectors
Changing the position of the Altea
stainless-steel reinforcement
The stainless-steel reinforcement has an
open and closed position. When it is
closed, a lot of combustion gas is retained,
meaning that the flue and the fuel used
must be in optimum conditions in order to
ensure correct operation. When open, the
deflector facilitates the passage of smoke.

INSTRUCTIONS OF USE 15
3.
Figure No.16 - Stainless-steel reinforcement in
its closed position
Figure No.17 - Movements to change from
closed to open
Figure No.18 - Stainless-steel reinforcement in
its open position
Th stainless-steel reinforcement must
be fitted in position closed in order to
achieve all the values in the UNE-EN 13240
standard. Because this part causes a lot of
the gases produced by combustion to be
retained, it requires optimum flue and fuel
conditions. Users may, therefore, prefer to
fit in opened position it if such conditions
cannot be ensured.

MAINTENANCE AND IMPORTANT ADVICE 16
4.
MAINTENANCE AND
IMPORTANT ADVICE
4.1. Maintenance of the appliance
The appliance, the flue connector piping
and the flue must be cleaned regularly,
particularly following long periods without
use.
4.1.1. Firebox
Clean the firebox area of ash, etc.
4.1.2. Inside the appliance
Clean the firebox area of ash. Clean the
deflectors, where soot may build up.
4.1.3. Flue socket
The flue socket area must be kept clean
at all times for the appliance to work
properly.
It must be cleaned as often as required.
How often it is cleaned depends on how
much the appliance is used and the type of
fuel employed.
In the Altea model, it is important to
clean away the soot that has accumulated
in the chamber surrounding the oven. The
frequency of cleaning will depend on the
usage of the stove and the fuel used.
In order to clean the oven:
1. Open the oven door.
2. Unscrew the access lids to the
draw .
Figure No.19 - Unscrew the access lids.
3. Cleaning from the section with a
scraper
4.1.4. Painted sheet-steel-cast-iron parts.
These parts should be cleaned with a
brush or dry cloth. Do not dampen the
parts: the steel could rust and the paint
could blister and chip. Be particularly
careful when cleaning the glass: the liquids
used must not dampen the painted steel.
4.1.5. Firebox glass
Keep the secondary-air intake open to
keep the door glass cleaner for longer.
However, the glass may get dirty the longer
the appliance is used. Special degreasing
products designed for the purpose should
be used to clean it.
Clean when the glass is cold and taking
care not to apply the glass cleaner directly
onto the glass as it could come into contact
with the door-seal cord and damage it.
Also make sure that the cleaning liquid
does not enter the moving part of the
intake mechanism; it may block the
mechanism.
4.1.6. Oven
Use a slightly damp cloth (or cloth with
neutral soap) to clean the oven and dry
immediately. Stainless-steel ovens may

MAINTENANCE AND IMPORTANT ADVICE 17
4.
turn yellowish as a result of heat. Do not
use abrasive, corrosive, chlorine-based or
acid-based products; they could damage it.
4.2. Maintenance of the chimney
flue
VERY IMPORTANT: In order to avoid
incidents (chimney fires, etc.), it is
necessary to perform maintenance and
cleaning operations on a regular basis; if
the appliance is used often, then the
chimney and the flue connector piping
must be swept several times a year.
In the event of fire in the chimney, close
the flue draught, close doors and windows,
remove embers from the firebox, block the
connection hole with damp cloths and call
the fire brigade.
4.3. Important advice
Lacunza recommends that only
Lacunza-authorised replacement parts be
used.
Lacunza accepts no liability for any
modification to the product which it has
not authorised.
This appliance is a heat-producing
appliance and contact may lead to burns.
This appliance may remain HOT for a
period of time after it has gone out. MAKE
SURE THAT SMALL CHILDREN DO NOT GO
NEAR IT.

TROUBLESHOOTING 18
5.
TROUBLESHOOTING
This symbol means that a qualified professional should be called to perform the operation.
Problem
Probable causes
Solution
The fire does not light
properly
The fire does not stay
alight
Green or damp wood
Use hard woods, cut at least 2 years ago and stored in a
sheltered, ventilated place
The logs are too large
Use crumpled paper or firelighters and dry wood chips to light
the fire. Use split logs to keep the fire going
Poor-quality wood
Use hard woods which produce heat and embers (chestnut, ash,
maple, birch, elm, beech, etc.)
Insufficient primary air
Open the primary- and secondary-air intakes completely, or
even open the door slightly.
Open the outdoor-air inlet grille
Insufficient updraught
Check that the draught is not blocked. De-soot if necessary.
Check that the flue is in perfect condition (airtight, insulated,
dry, etc.)
The fire flames up too
much
Excessive primary air
Close the primary- and secondary-air intakes partially or totally
Excessive updraught
Install a draught damper
Smoke given off on
lighting
Poor-quality wood
Do not continually burn chips, carpentry scraps (plywood,
pallets, etc.)
Cold flue
Heat up the flue by burning a piece of paper in the firebox.
Smoke during burning
The room is at low
pressure
In rooms with Controlled Mechanical Ventilation, leave an
outdoor window ajar until the fire is fully alight.
Too little wood loaded
Load as recommended. Loads notably smaller than those
recommended lead to low smoke temperature and
downdraught.
Insufficient updraught
Check the condition of the flue and insulation.
Check that the piping is not blocked. Clean mechanically if
necessary
Wind enters the flue
Install an anti-downdraught system (Cowl) at the top of the
chimney
Does not warm up enough
The room is at low
pressure
In rooms with Controlled Mechanical Ventilation, there must be
an outdoor-air inlet
Poor-quality wood
Only use the recommended fuel
Water condenses (after
the appliance has been lit
more than 3 or 4 times)
Too little wood loaded
Load as recommended. Loads notably smaller than those
recommended lead to low smoke temperature and
condensation.
Green or damp wood
Use hard woods, cut at least 2 years ago and stored in a
sheltered, ventilated place.
Condition of the flue
Lengthen the flue (5-6 metres minimum). Insulate the flue
properly. Check the airtightness of the flue/appliance.

BASIC BREAKDOWNS 19
6.
BASIC BREAKDOWNS