MF FIRE NOVA INSERT User manual

NOVA INSERT
OWNER’S MANUAL
Safety Notice: Please save these instructions for future
reference. Please check our website for the most up to date
version of this manual. Please read this entire manual before
you install and use your new room heater. Failure to follow
instructions may result in property damage, bodily injury, or
even death. Contact local building or fire officials about
restrictions and installation inspection requirements in your
area. Do not install Nova in a mobile home!
Manufactured by:
MF Fire, Inc.
3031 Washington Blvd STE G,
Baltimore, MD, USA
Report Number F20-590

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Safety Precautions 3
Installation 3
Operation 4
Maintenance 5
Features and Specifications 6
Configurations 6
Dimensions 7
Heating Specifications 7
Emissions and Efficiency 8
Safety Listings 8
Label 8
Stove Installation 9
Planning the Installation 9
Stove Placement Requirements 10
Fireplace Requirements 11
Minimum Clearance Requirements 13
Floor Protection Requirements 13
Chimney Liner Requirements 14
Chimney Requirements 15
Chimney Termination Requirements 15
Installing the Bypass Handle 16
Place the bypass handle onto the rod in this position, lining up
the set screw holes. Tighten set screw. 17
Configuring the Optional Top or Rear Vent 18
Attaching the Insert Trim Kit 20
Installing the Ceramic Fiberboard and Fire Brick 40
Catalytic Combustor 42
Ash Retainer 45
Initial Curing 45
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Operation 46
Bypass 46
Starting a Fire 46
Controlling the Burn 48
Reloading 48
Wood Selection 48
Ordinary Operating Sounds 48
Regular Maintenance and Troubleshooting 49
Glass 49
Disposal of Ashes 49
Door Gaskets 49
Catalytic Combustor 50
Monthly Maintenance 51
Creosote – Formation and Need for Removal 51
Gasket 51
Annual Maintenance 51
Exterior Paint 52
Glass 52
Fireplace Insert, Fireplace, and Chimney Inspection 53
Catalytic Combustor Replacement 54
Appendix A: Lifetime Limited Warranty 55
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Safety Precautions
Installation
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Nova Insert must be properly
installed to prevent house fires.
Please strictly adhere to the
installation instructions.
Nova Insert must be connected
to a listed high temperature
chimney or approved masonry
chimney with liner.
We recommend you use smoke
and CO detectors.
Do not connect this unit to a
chimney flue serving another
appliance.
Contact your local building
officials to obtain information on
any local wood stove
installation requirements.
Carefully route all power cords
through to avoid contact with
hot stove surfaces.
Do not connect to or use Nova
Insert in conjunction with any
air distribution ductwork unless
specifically approved for such
installations.

Operation
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Nova Insert is hot while in
operation. Keep children, clothing
and furniture away as contact
may cause skin burns.
Do not touch Nova Insert while
hot. Young children should be
supervised around Nova Insert.
Keep all flammable objects
(fabrics, paper, wood, etc.) at
least 1 yd (1 m) from the front of
the Nova Insert.
Nova Insert has been designed
for the burning of cordwood only.
Do not attempt to burn any other
type of fuel in Nova Insert.
Do not burn garbage or
flammable fluids such as
gasoline, naphtha or engine oil.
Do not use chemicals or fluids to
start the fire.
Never use gasoline, gasoline-type
lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid, or similar liquids to
start or "freshen up" a fire in this
stove. Keep all such liquids well
away from the stove while it is in
use.
The viewing door of Nova
Insert must be shut and
latched during operation.
Do not use additional grates,
andirons, or other means for
supporting the fuel.
Never obstruct airflow
through the inlet vents or
exhaust vents.
This wood heater has a
manufacturer-set minimum
low burn rate that must not
be altered. It is against
federal regulations to alter
this setting or otherwise
operate this wood heater in a
manner inconsistent with
operating instructions in this
manual.
Never over-fire Nova Insert,
as it could lead to a house
fire. If the unit or chimney
connector glows, you have
over-fired the unit.

Maintenance
5 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021
Allow Nova to cool before
conducting any maintenance.
Never attempt to modify or repair
the appliance beyond instructions
given in this manual.
Empty the ash regularly and
dispose of it in a metal
container with a tight lid.
Inspect the chimney connector
at least twice monthly.

Features and Specifications
Configurations
Nova Insert is available with a trim kit of size 29" x 40"
Additionally, Nova Insert can be used in either a rear vent or a top
vent configuration, to best fit your home and preferences. While Nova
Insert is typically configured as a top vent to accommodate small
fireplace depths, in cases of extremely short fireboxes the rear vent
configuration may be preferable.
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Dimensions
7 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021

Heating Specifications
Nova Insert is equipped with a 1.7 ft.3 firebox and accepts logs up to
18” in length.
Nova Insert has a 1,500 sq. ft. (175 m2) approximate maximum
heating capacity. Heating capacity will vary depending on the home's
floor plan, degree of insulation, and the outside temperature.
Nova Insert has a 23,000 BTU per hour (7 kW) EPA certified heat
release rate, with actual heat release rates ranging from 9,000 to
50,000 BTU per hour (2.5 to 15 kW) depending on user loading and
reloading.
Emissions and Efficiency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified to comply with 2020
particulate emission standards for single burn rate heaters. This
single burn rate wood heater is not approved for use with a flue
damper. Certified average emissions rate of 1.9 g/hr and a maximum
tested efficiency of 79%, tested to EPA Method 28R and ASTM
E2515-11.
Safety Listings
Nova Insert is available for sale in the United States and Canada has
been listed with PFS-TECO and is tested and compliant in
accordance with UL 1482 – 2011(R2015), ULC-S627-00 (R2016),
and ULC S628-93 (R2016)
Label
Nova Insert comes with a metal certification label on a chain affixed
to the bottom back of the stove. This label is in english and french.
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Stove Installation
Safety Notice: Please read this entire manual before you install
and use your new room heater. Failure to follow instructions
may result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death.
Contact local building or fire officials about restrictions and
installation inspection requirements in your area. Do not install
Nova Insert in a mobile home!
Planning the Installation
Proper care and attention to service helps to protect you from
unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisonings. To get the best
service and wood stove installation for your Nova Insert wood stove,
we recommend Installers or Chimney Sweeps certified by the
National Fireplace Institute (NFI) or the Chimney Safety Institute of
America (CSIA).
To locate one of the more than 2,000 active NFI or CSIA Certified
installers across North America, please use the installer locator on
our website: https://mffire.com/installers/
Check with your local building officials and your home insurance
company before installation. When this room heater is improperly
installed, a house fire may result. To reduce the risk of fire, follow the
installation instructions. Contact local building or fire officials about
restrictions and installation inspection requirements in your area.
If there are any major dents or other damage to your stove, please
report to MF Fire prior to installation.
9 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021

Stove Placement Requirements
Nova Insert must be placed in a room with a source of fresh air.
Nova Insert must be placed so that no combustibles are within, or can
swing within 36" (914mm) of the front of the stove (drapes, doors,
etc.).
Caution: Avoid makeshift compromises during stove placement
or installation. Failure to follow instructions may result in
property damage, bodily injury, or even death.
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Fireplace Requirements
Nova Insert is intended for use in conjunction with a masonry
fireplace provided all installation instructions are followed.
The minimum fireplace opening to which Nova Insert may be inserted
is 25” high, 30” wide, and 16” deep. The hearth must extend 18” in
front of Nova Insert and 16” on either side, i.e. 54.5” wide.
Do not remove any bricks and mortar from the existing fireplace in a
way that may damage the structural integrity of the fireplace or
chimney. Such removal could present a safety hazard resulting in
structural damage, injury, or loss of life.
Exception: Masonry or steel, including the damper plate, may be
removed from the smoke shelf and adjacent damper frame if
necessary to accommodate a chimney liner, provided that their
removal will not weaken the structure of the fireplace and chimney,
and will not reduce protection for combustible materials to less than
that required by the National Building Code.
The provided metal tag must be attached using screws or nails to the
fireplace, in a location readily visible should the fireplace insert be
removed, if the fireplace has been modified to accommodate a
fireplace insert.
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The entire fireplace must be clean, undamaged, and meet all local
building codes. This installation requires a full reline. The liner must
be a stainless steel chimney connector or flexible vent pipe. Follow
the liner manufacturer’s instructions for installation and support.
Any existing fireplace dampers must be locked in the open position. It
is necessary to permanently seal any opening between the masonry
of the fireplace and facing masonry.
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Minimum Clearance Requirements
The minimum clearance requirements for the Nova Insert are listed in
the table below. Clearances may be reduced following methods in
NFPA 211, listed wall shields, pipe shields, or other means approved
by local building or fire officials.
Do not store fuel or place combustible material within the required
clearances surrounding the fireplace insert.
Floor Protection Requirements
Nova Insert must be installed on a non-combustible hearth surface.
13 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021
A
Sidewall to unit
20” (508 mm)
B
Top of unit to ¾” trim
8” (203 mm)
C
Top of unit to 8”
mantle
11” (279 mm)

Chimney Liner Requirements
This fireplace insert must be installed with a continuous chimney liner
of 6” diameter extending from the fireplace insert to the top of the
chimney. The chimney liner must conform to the Class 3
requirements of CAN/ULC-S635, Standard for Lining Systems for
Existing Masonry or Factory-Built Chimneys and Vents, or
CAN/ULC-S640, Standard for Lining Systems for New Masonry
Chimneys.
The chimney liner must be installed with the crimped end pointing
downwards. This prevents creosote or condensation from leaking to
the exterior of the pipe.
The chimney liner must be fastened to the stove following instructions
provided in this manual and each adjoining section and kept clean.
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Chimney Requirements
Do not connect Nova Insert to a chimney flue serving any other
appliance or use in conjunction with any air distribution ductwork,
unless specifically approved.
This room heater must be connected to a code approved masonry
chimney with a flue liner.
Chimney may not be less than 15’ (4.5 m) or more than 33’ (10 m).
Chimney Termination Requirements
The chimney must have an approved cap (to prevent water from
entering).
The chimney must not be located where it could become plugged by
snow or other material.
The chimney must terminate at least 3' (914 mm) above the roof and
at least 2' (610 mm) above any portion of the roof within 10' (3 m).
15 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021

Installing the Bypass Handle
Nova Insert comes with the bypass handle detached for safety during
transport.
Step 1: Remove the set screw from the bypass handle.
Step 2: Reach through the top vent of the stove and rotate the
bypass plate to the open position with your hand.  To install the
bypass handle simply slide the handle over the bypass rod on the
back of the right side of the stove such that the handle is pointed
towards the rear of the stove, with the bent portion of the handle
angled away from the stove as shown below. Note: There will be a
second, unused set screw hole in both the rod and handle.
Step 3: Rotate the bypass handle on the bypass rod until the set
screw holes are aligned with the holes in the bypass handle, insert
the set screw in the front-most hole, and tighten screw into the hole.
Tighten the set screw, wiggle the handle, tighten the set screw,
wiggle the handle, etc. until the handle is tight and there is no wiggle.
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Rotate the bypass plate such that the forward-most set screw hole is
in this position.
Place the bypass handle onto the rod in this position, lining up the set
screw holes. Tighten set screw.
17 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021

Configuring the Optional Top or Rear Vent
Nova Insert can be configured as either a top venting or a rear
venting stove. Nova Insert will arrive in the top vent configuration. To
switch to the rear vent configuration, the following procedure may be
followed.
Step 1: Remove the rear blocker plate collar, secured with 4 bolts
and 1 washer each, and access panel, secured with 6 bolts and no
washers, from the back of the stove as shown below.
Step 2: Next, reach inside the back of the stove and remove the
spacer plate and the flue collar, secured with 4 bolts and 2 washers
each, located on the inside top of the stove.
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Step 3: The blocker plate that was removed from the rear of the
stove can then be inserted over the opening at the top of the stove,
the spacer plate placed below, and the entire assembly secured to
the top of the stove with bolts ash shown below. Before tightening
bolts, be sure that no gaps exist between the blocker plate and the
top of the stove whereby smoke may escape. If necessary, gasket
cement can be placed between the plate and the top of the stove.
Step 4: Replace the access plate and install the flue collar, as shown
below.
19 | Page Nova Insert Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2021