Ventis HE250 User manual

45704A
Printed in Canada 27-06-2019
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
HE250 (VB00002 model)
US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PHASE II CERTIFIED WOOD FIREPLACE
Listed to standards ULC-S610 and UL 127
www.occanada.com
Manufactured by:
Stove Builder International Inc.
250 rue Copenhague, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (Quebec), Canada, G3A 2H3
After-sale service: 418-908-8002 E-mail: [e-mail]
READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
This manual is available for free download on the manufacturer’s web site. It is a copyrighted document.
Re-sale is strictly prohibited. The manufacturer may update this manual from time to time and cannot be
responsible for problems, injuries, or damages arising out of the use of information contained in any manual
obtained from unauthorized sources.

2 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THIS VENTIS WOOD FIREPLACE
As one of North America’s largest and most respected wood stove and fireplace manufacturers, Stove
Builder International takes pride in the quality and performance of all its products. We want to help you get
maximum satisfaction as you use this product.
In the pages that follow you will find general advice on wood heating, detailed instructions for safe and
effective installation, and guidance on how to get the best performance from this fireplace as you build and
maintain fires, and maintain your wood heating system.
We recommend that our wood burning hearth products be installed and serviced by professionals who are
certified in the United States by NFI (National Fireplace Institute®) or in Canada by WETT (Wood Energy
Technology Transfer) or in Quebec by APC (Association des Professionnels du Chauffage).
Congratulations on making a wise purchase.
If this fireplace is not properly installed, combustible materials near it may overheat. To reduce the risk of
fire, follow the installation instructions in this manual exactly. Contact local building or fire officials about
restrictions and installation inspection requirements in your area.
Please read this entire manual before you install and use your new fireplace. You may need to get a
building permit for the installation of this fireplace and the chimney that it is connected to. Consult your
municipal building department or fire department before installation. We recommend that you also
inform your home insurance company to find out if the installation will affect your policy.
This heating unit is designed to serve as a supplementary heat source. We recommend that a primary
heat source also be available in the home. The manufacturer cannot be responsible for costs associated
with the use of another heating system.
CAUTION:Do not attempt to modify or alter the construction of the fireplace or its components. Any
modification or alteration of construction may void the warranty, listings and approvals of this system. In
that case, Stove Builder International (SBI) will not be responsible for damages. Install the fireplace only as
described in these instructions.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 3
Table of content
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ..................................6
1Safety Information ................................................................................6
1.1 Summary of Operation and Maintenance Cautions and Warnings .........................6
2General Information on HE250 (VB00002) .......................................8
2.1 Appliance performance(1) ........................................................................................8
2.2 General Features....................................................................................................9
2.3 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You...................................................11
2.4 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency .............................................12
2.5 The Olympia Chimney Commitment to You and the Environment........................12
2.5.1 What is Your New Fireplace Made Of?..............................................................12
3Fuel .......................................................................................................13
3.1 Materials That Should Not be Burned...................................................................13
3.2 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood ................................................................13
3.2.1 What is Good Firewood? ...................................................................................13
3.2.2 Tree Species .....................................................................................................13
3.2.3 Log Length.........................................................................................................14
3.2.4 Piece Size..........................................................................................................14
3.2.5 How to Dry Firewood .........................................................................................15
3.2.6 Judging Firewood Moisture Content ..................................................................16
3.3 Manufactured Logs ...............................................................................................16
4Operating Your Fireplace ..................................................................17
4.1 The use of a firescreen .........................................................................................17
4.2 Your First Fires .....................................................................................................17
4.3 Lighting Fires ........................................................................................................17
4.3.1 Conventional Fire Starting .................................................................................17
4.3.2 The Top Down Fire............................................................................................18
4.3.3 Two Parallel Logs ..............................................................................................18
4.3.4 Using Fire Starters.............................................................................................18
4.4 Maintaining Wood Fires ........................................................................................18
4.4.1 General Advice ..................................................................................................18
4.4.2 Ash Removal .....................................................................................................19
4.4.3 Raking Charcoal ................................................................................................19
4.4.4 Firing Each New Load Hot.................................................................................20
4.4.5 Turning Down the Air Supply .............................................................................20
4.4.6 Building Different Fires for Different Needs .......................................................21

4 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
5Maintaining Your Wood Heating System ........................................23
5.1 Fireplace Maintenance..........................................................................................23
5.1.1 Plated Finish Maintenance ................................................................................23
5.1.2 Glass Door Cleaning..........................................................................................23
5.1.3 Door Adjustment................................................................................................24
5.1.4 Door Alignment..................................................................................................24
5.1.5 Replacing the Door Gasket................................................................................26
5.1.6 Cleaning and Painting the Fireplace..................................................................27
5.2 Chimney and Chimney Liner Maintenance ...........................................................27
5.2.1 Why Chimney Cleaning is Necessary................................................................27
5.2.2 How Often Should You Clean the Chimney?.....................................................28
5.2.3 Cleaning the Chimney .......................................................................................28
5.2.4 Fire Baffle Removal Prior to Cleaning the Chimney ..........................................29
5.2.5 Chimney Fire .....................................................................................................29
PART B – INSTALLATION ...................................................................30
6Safety Information ..............................................................................30
6.1 Summary of Installation Cautions and Warnings ..................................................30
6.2 Regulations Covering Fireplace Installation..........................................................31
6.3 Fireplace Installation .............................................................................................32
6.3.1 Locating the HE250 ...........................................................................................32
6.3.2 Minimum Hearth Extension Requirements ........................................................39
6.3.3 Framing, Facing, Mantel, and Combustible Shelf ..............................................40
7Clearances to Combustible Material.................................................46
7.1 Locating the Certification Label.............................................................................46
8The Venting System ............................................................................47
8.1 General .................................................................................................................47
8.2 Suitable Chimney..................................................................................................47
8.3 Minimum Chimney Height.....................................................................................47
8.4 The Relationship Between the Chimney and the House.......................................47
8.4.1 Why the chimney should penetrate the highest heated space...........................47
8.5 Chimney Installation Notes ...................................................................................48
8.6 Chimney Installation Instructions ..........................................................................51
8.6.1 Examples of Typical Chimney Installation .........................................................51
8.6.2 Offset Chimney Installation................................................................................55
8.7 Angled Wall Radiation Shield................................................................................57
8.8 Chimney Support Installation ................................................................................57
8.8.1 Universal Roof Support......................................................................................57
8.8.2 Universal Offset Support....................................................................................57
8.9 Installation Instructions for Masonry Application ...................................................58

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 5
8.10 Supply of Combustion Air .....................................................................................60
8.10.1 Air Supply in Conventional Houses ...................................................................60
Appendix 1: Optional Heat Distribution Systems Installation ............61
Appendix 2: Blower Maintenance or Replacement ..............................73
Appendix 3: Installing the Optional Door Overlay...............................76
Appendix 4: Installing the Fresh Air Intake Kit ...................................77
Appendix 5: Installing the Optional Firescreen (AC01560).................81
Appendix 6: Installation of Secondary Air Tubes and Baffle..............82
Appendix 7: Refractory slabs Replacement...........................................86
Appendix 8: Exploded Diagram and Parts List ....................................88
VENTIS LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ....................................91
REGISTER YOUR WARRANTY ONLINE
To receive full warranty coverage, you will need to show evidence of
the date you purchased your unit. Keep your sales invoice. We also
recommend that you register your warranty online at
http://www.occanada.com/en/service-support/warranty-
registration
Registering your warranty online will help us track rapidly the
information we need on your unit.

6 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Please see Part B for installation instructions.
1SAFETY INFORMATION
1.1 Summary of Operation and Maintenance Cautions and Warnings
•HOT WHILE IN OPERATION, KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY. CONTACT MAY
CAUSE SKIN BURNS. GLOVES MAY BE NEEDED FOR FIREPLACE OPERATION.
•USING A FIREPLACE WITH CRACKED OR BROKEN COMPONENTS, SUCH AS GLASS OR FIREBRICKS OR
BAFFLES MAY PRODUCE AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND MAY DAMAGE THE FIREPLACE.
•OPERATE ONLY WITH DOOR FULLY CLOSED OR FULLY OPEN WITH FIRESCREEN IN PLACE. IF DOOR IS
LEFT PARTLY OPEN, GAS AND FLAME MAY BE DRAWN OUT OF THE OPENING, CREATING RISKS FROM
BOTH FIRE AND SMOKE.
•OPEN THE AIR CONTROL FULLY BEFORE OPENING THE LOADING DOOR.
•THIS FIREPLACE HAS BEEN TESTED FOR USE WITH AN OPEN DOOR IN CONJUNCTION WITH A
FIRESCREEN (AC01560, SOLD SEPARATELY). THE DOOR MAY BE OPEN OR FIRESCREEN REMOVED ONLY
DURING LIGHTING PROCEDURES OR RELOADING. ALWAYS CLOSE THE DOOR OR PUT BACK THE
FIRESCREEN AFTER IGNITION. DO NOT LEAVE THE FIREPLACE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS
OPENED WITH OR WITHOUT FIRESCREEN.
•DO NOT INSTALL THE FIREPLACE OUTDOORS.
•THE FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEY MUST BE IN AN ENCLOSURE UP TO THE ATTIC.
•NEVER USE GASOLINE, LANTERN FUEL (NAPHTHA), FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL
LIGHTER FLUID, OR SIMILAR LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS TO START A FIRE IN THIS FIREPLACE. KEEP ALL
SUCH LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS WELL AWAY FROM THE FIREPLACE WHILE IT IS IN USE.
•DO NOT STORE FUEL WITHIN HEATER MINIMUM INSTALLATION CLEARANCES.
•BURN ONLY SEASONED NATURAL FIREWOOD.
•DO NOT BURN:
oGARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
oCOAL OR CHARCOAL,
oTREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
oPLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
oFINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
oSALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
oMANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
oRAILROAD TIES OR
oLIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSCENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE.
•THIS APPLIANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED AT ALL TIMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
•DO NOT ELEVATE THE FIRE BY MEANS OF GRATES, ANDIRONS OR OTHER MEANS.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 7
•THIS FIREPLACE MUST ALWAYS BE USED WITH THE ORIGINAL ANDIRONS (SEE APPENDIX 8: EXPLODED
DIAGRAM AND PARTS LIST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS).
•SOME JURISDICTIONS IN THE USA REQUIRE A SUPPLY OF OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AIR FOR THE
FIREPLACE. IN CANADA, AN OUTDOOR AIR SUPPLY IS NOT REQUIRED, IF A CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
DETECTOR/ALARM IS LOCATED IN THE ROOM IN WHICH THE FIREPLACE IS INSTALLED. THE CO
DETECTOR WILL PROVIDE WARNING IF FOR ANY REASON THE WOOD FIREPLACE FAILS TO FUNCTION
CORRECTLY. IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO INSTALL AN OUTDOOR AIR SUPPLY, WE RECOMMEND THAT
YOU ALSO INSTALL A CO DETECTOR/ALARM TO PROVIDE WARNING IF SMOKE SPILLAGE FROM THE
FIREPLACE OCCURS.
CAUTION:
•KEEP COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS AT LEAST 48 INCHES AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE
OPENING.
•DO NOT USE A FIREPLACE INSERT AND OTHER PRODUCTS NOT SPECIFIED FOR USE WITH THIS
FIREPLACE.
•DO NOT OBSTRUCT AIR INTLETS. THIS FIREPLACE NEEDS AIR FOR ITS GOOD OPERATION.
•DO NOT BLOCK THE HOT AIR VENTS TO THE FIREPLACE AS THIS WILL CAUSE THE FIREPLACE
TOOVERHEAT.
WARNING: DO NOT USE MATERIALS OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS
SECTION DURING INSTALLATION AS THEY MAY BE SAFETY HAZARDS AND A FIRE COULD
RESULT.
WARNING: THIS FIREPLACE HAS NOT BEEN TESTED WITH AN UNVENTED OR VENTED GAS LOG SET. TO
REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR INJURY, DO NOT INSTALL AN UNVENTED GAS LOG SET INTO THIS
FIREPLACE.
CAUTION: DO NOT INSTALL IN A MOBILE HOME (CANADA) OR MANUFACTURED HOME* (USA).
* The US department of Housing and Urban Development describes “manufactured
homes” better known as “mobile home” as followed; Buildings built on fixed wheels
and those transported on temporary wheels/axles and set on a permanent
foundation.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PICTURES SHOWN IN THIS MANUAL ARE GENERIC
AND MAY NOT MATCH EXACTLY THE LOOK OF YOUR FIREPLACE.
WARNING:
This product can expose you to chemicals including carbon
monoxide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65warnings.ca.gov/

8 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
2GENERAL INFORMATION ON HE250 (VB00002)
2.1 Appliance performance(1)
Fuel type Dry cordwood
Recommended heating area[*] 500 to 2,100 ft2(46 to 195 m2)
Firebox volume 2.5 ft3(0.071 m3)
Maximum burn time[*] 9 h
Maximum heat output (dry cordwood)(2) 75,000 BTU/h (22.0 kW)
Overall heat output rate (min. to max.)(2)(3) 11,500 BTU/h to 30,500 BTU/h (3.4 kW to 8.9 kW)
Average overall efficiency(3) - EPA Cribs / Douglas Fir 55.0% (HHV(4)) 60.0% (LHV(5))
Average overall efficiency(3) - Dry cordwood To come% (HHV(4)) To come% (LHV(5))
Optimum efficiency(2)(6) 75.0%
Average particulate emissions rate(7) 4.4 g/h (EPA / CSA B415.1-10)
Average CO(8) To come
[*] Recommended heating area and maximum burn time may vary subject to location in home, chimney draft, heat loss factors,
climate, fuel type and other variables. The recommended heated area for a given appliance is defined by the manufacturer as
its capacity to maintain a minimum acceptable temperature in the designated area in case of a power failure.
(1) Values are as measured per test method, except for the recommended heating area, firebox volume, maximum burn time and
maximum heat output.
(2) The maximum heat output (dry cordwood) is based on a loading density varying between 15 lb/ft3and 20 lb/ft3. Other
performances are based on a fuel load prescribed by the standard. The specified loading density varies between 7 lb/ft³ and 12
lb/ft3. The moisture content is between 19% and 25%.
(3) As measured per CSA B415.1-10 stack loss method.
(4) Higher Heating Value of the fuel.
(5) Lower Heating Value of the fuel.
(6) Optimum overall efficiency at a specific burn rate (LHV).
(7) This appliance is officially tested and certified by an independent agency.
(8) Carbon monoxide.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 9
2.2 General Features
Maximum log length 21 in (533 mm) east-west*
Flue outlet diameter 6 in (152 mm)
Chimney diameter 6 in (152 mm)
Type of chimney CAN/ULC S629, UL 103 HT (2100 °F)
Baffle material C-Cast
Approved for alcove installation Not approved
Approved for mobile home installation‡Not approved
Type of door Single, glass with steel frame
Type of glass Ceramic glass
Blower Included (up to 176 CFM)
Particulate emission standard EPA / CSA B415.1-10
USA standard (safety) UL 127
Canadian standard (safety) ULC-S610
** East-west: through the door you see the longitudinal sides of the logs; north-south: through the door you see the tips of the
logs.
‡Mobile home (Canada) or manufactured home (USA): The US department of Housing and Urban Development describes
“manufactured homes” better known as “mobile homes” as followed; buildings built on fixed wheels and those transported on
temporary wheels/axles and set on a permanent foundation. In Canada, a mobile home is a dwelling for which the manufacture
and assembly of each component is completed or substantially completed prior to being moved to a site for installation on a
foundation and connection to service facilities and which conforms to the CAN/CSA-Z240 MH standard.
8”/203mm HOT AIR GRAVITY DISTRIBUTION KIT (2)

10 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
6”/142mm FORCED AIR
DISTRIBUTION KIT (3)

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 11
2.3 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You
Your new HE250 wood fireplace is a space heater, which means it is intended to heat the area it is installed
in, as well as spaces that connect to that area, although to a lower temperature. This is called zone heating
and it is an increasingly popular way to heat homes or spaces within homes.
Zone heating can be used to supplement another heating system by heating a particular space within a
home, such as a basement family room or an addition that lacks another heat source.
Houses of moderate size and relatively new construction can be heated with a properly sized and located
wood fireplace. Whole house zone heating works best when the fireplace is located in the part of the house
where the family spends most of its time. This is normally the main living area where the kitchen, dining
and living rooms are located. By locating the fireplace in this area, you will get the maximum benefit of the
heat it produces and will achieve the highest possible heating efficiency and comfort. The space where you

12 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
spend most of your time will be warmest, while bedrooms and basement (if there is one) will stay cooler. In
this way, you will burn less wood than with other forms of heating.
Although the fireplace may be able to heat the main living areas of your house to an adequate temperature,
we strongly recommend that you also have a conventional oil, gas or electric heating system to provide
backup heating.
Your success with zone heating will depend on several factors, including the correct sizing and location of
the fireplace, the size, layout and age of your home and your climate zone. Three-season vacation homes
can usually be heated with smaller fireplaces than houses that are heated all winter.
2.4 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency
The low smoke emissions produced by the special features inside the HE250 firebox mean that your
household will release up to 90 percent less smoke into the outside environment than if you used an older
conventional stove. But there is more to the emission control technologies than protecting the
environment.
The smoke released from wood when it is heated contains about half of the energy content of the fuel. By
burning the wood completely, your fireplace releases all the heat energy from the wood instead of wasting
it as smoke up the chimney. Also, the features inside the firebox allow you to reduce the air supply to
control heat output, while maintaining clean and efficient flaming combustion, which boosts the efficient
delivery of heat to your home.
The emission control and advanced combustion features of your fireplace can only work properly if your
fuel is in the correct moisture content range of 15 to 20 percent. See Section 3: Fuel of this manual for
suggestions on preparing fuelwood and judging its moisture.
2.5 The Olympia Chimney Commitment to You and the Environment
The Olympia Chimney team is committed to protecting the environment, so we do everything we can to use
only materials in our products that will have no lasting negative impact on the environment.
2.5.1 What is Your New Fireplace Made Of?
The body of your fireplace, which is most of its weight, is carbon steel. Should it ever become necessary
many years in the future, almost the entire fireplace can be recycled into new products, thus eliminating
the need to mine new materials.
The paint coating on your fireplace is very thin. Its VOC content (Volatile Organic Compounds) is very low.
VOCs can be responsible for smog, so all the paint used during the manufacturing process meets the latest
air quality requirements regarding VOC reduction or elimination.
The air tubes are stainless steel, which can also be recycled.
The C-Cast baffle is made of an aluminosilicate fibre material that is compressed with a binder to form a
rigid board. C-Cast can withstand temperatures above 2,000 °F. It is not considered hazardous waste.
Disposal at a landfill is recommended.
Moulded refractory bricks are mainly composed of silicon dioxide, also known as silica, a product processed
from a mined mineral. It is most commonly found in nature in the form of sand and clay. Disposal at a
landfill is recommended. The steel mesh contained in some refractory bricks can be recycled.
The door and glass gaskets are fibreglass which is spun from melted sand. Black gaskets have been dipped
into a solvent-free solution. Disposal at a landfill is recommended.
The door glass is a 5 mm thick ceramic material that contains no toxic chemicals. It is made of natural raw
materials such as sand and quartz that are combined in such a way to form a high temperature glass.
Ceramic glass cannot be recycled in the same way as normal glass, so it should not be disposed of with your
regular household products. Disposal at a landfill is recommended.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 13
3FUEL
3.1 Materials That Should Not be Burned
•GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
•COAL OR CHARCOAL,
•TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
•PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
•FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
•SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
•MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
•RAILROAD TIES,
•LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE.
WARNING: DO NOT POKE OR STIR THE LOGS WHILE THEY ARE BURNING. USE ONLY FIRELOGS THAT
HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR USE IN FIREPLACES (SEE ULC/ORD-C127, COMPOSITE FIRELOGS)
AND PRIOR TO USE, REFER TO FIRELOG WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS MARKINGS ON
PACKAGING.
3.2 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood
3.2.1 What is Good Firewood?
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the fireplace, split to a range of sizes and stacked in
the open until its moisture content is reduced to 15 to 20 per cent.
3.2.2 Tree Species
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The main
difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods are denser than
softwoods. People who live in the coldest regions of North America usually have only spruce, birch and
poplar, other low-density species to burn and yet they can heat their homes successfully.
Homeowners with access to both hardwood and softwood fuel sometimes use both types for different
purposes. For example, softer woods make good fuel for relatively mild weather in spring and fall because
they light quickly and produce less heat Softwoods are not as dense as hardwoods so a given volume of
wood contains less energy. Using softwoods avoids overheating the house, which can be a common
problem with wood heating in moderate weather. Harder woods are best for colder winter weather when
more heat and longer burn cycles are desirable.
Note that hardwood trees like oak, maple, ash and beech are slower growing and longer lived than softer
woods like poplar and birch. That makes hardwood trees more valuable. The advice that only hardwoods
are good to burn is outdated. Old, leaky cast iron stoves wouldn’t hold a fire overnight unless they were fed
large pieces of hardwood. That is no longer true. You can successfully heat your home by using the less
desirable tree species and give the forest a break at the same time.

14 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
3.2.3 Log Length
Logs should be cut at least 1” (25 mm) shorter than the firebox so they fit in easily. Pieces that are even
slightly too long make loading the fireplace very difficult. The most common standard length of firewood is
16” (400 mm).
The pieces should be a consistent length, with a maximum of 1” (25 mm) variation from piece to piece.
3.2.4 Piece Size
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large unsplit rounds can take years to dry enough to burn.
Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite because they don’t have the sharp edges where the
flames first catch. Logs as small as 3” (75 mm) should be split to encourage drying.
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 3” to 6” (75 mm to 150 mm) in cross section. Having a
range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier. Often, the firewood purchased from
commercial suppliers is not split finely enough for convenient stoking. It is sometimes advisable to resplit
the wood before stacking to dry.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 15
3.2.5 How to Dry Firewood
Firewood that is not dry enough to burn is the cause of most complaints about wood fireplaces. Continually
burning green or unseasoned wood produces more creosote and involves lack of heat and dirty glass door.
See Section 5: Maintaining your wood heating system for concerns about creosote.
Here are some things to consider in estimating drying time:
•firewood takes a long time to dry
•firewood bought from a dealer is rarely dry enough to burn, so it is advisable to buy the wood in spring
and dry it yourself
•drying happens faster in dry weather than in damp, maritime climates
•drying happens faster in warm summer weather than in winter weather
•small pieces dry more quickly than large pieces
•split pieces dry more quickly than unsplit rounds
•softwoods take less time to dry than hardwoods
•softwoods like pine, spruce, and poplar/aspen can be dry enough to burn after being stacked in the
open for only the summer months
•hardwoods like oak, maple and ash can take one, or even two years to dry fully, especially if the pieces
are big
•firewood dries more quickly when stacked in the open where it is exposed to sun and wind; it takes
much longer to dry when stacked in a wood shed
•firewood that is ready to burn has a moisture content between15 and 20% by weight and will allow
your fireplace to produce its highest possible efficiency

16 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
3.2.6 Judging Firewood Moisture Content
You can find out if some firewood is dry enough to burn by using these guidelines:
•cracks form at the ends of logs as they dry
•as it dries in the sun, the wood turns from white or cream colored to grey or yellow,
•bang two pieces of wood together; seasoned wood sounds hollow and wet wood sounds dull,
•dry wood is much lighter in weight than wet wood,
•split a piece, and if the fresh face feels warm and dry it is dry enough to burn; if it feels damp, it is too
wet,
•burn a piece; wet wood hisses and sizzles in the fire and dry wood does not.
You could buy a wood moisture meter to test your
firewood.
3.3 Manufactured Logs
Do not burn manufactured logs made of wax
impregnated sawdust or logs with any chemical
additives. Manufactured logs made of 100%
compressed sawdust can be burned, but use
caution in the number of these logs burned at one
time. Start with one manufactured log and see how
the fireplace reacts. Never use more than two
manufactured logs at a time.

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 17
4OPERATING YOUR FIREPLACE
4.1 The use of a firescreen
This fireplace has been tested for use with an open door in conjunction with a firescreen (AC01560, sold
separately). Make sure the firescreen is properly secured on the fireplace to avoid any risk of sparks
damaging your flooring. When the firescreen is in use, do not leave the fireplace unattended so that you
can respond promptly in the event of smoke spillage into the room. Potential causes of smoke spillage are
described in Section 8: The Venting System of this manual. See Appendix 5: Installing the Firescreen
(AC01560)for installation instructions.
OPERATING WITH THE FIRESCREEN INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF GENERATING CARBON MONOXIDE.
CARBON MONOXIDE IS AN ODOURLESS GAS THAT IS HIGHLY TOXIC AND WHICH CAN CAUSE DEATH AT
HIGH CONCENTRATION IN AIR.
4.2 Your First Fires
Two things will happen as you burn your first few fires; the paint cures and the internal components of the
fireplace are conditioned.
As the paint cures, some of the chemicals vaporize. The vapors are not poisonous, but they do smell bad.
Fresh paint fumes can also cause false alarms in smoke detectors. So, when you first light your fireplace, be
prepared by opening doors and/or windows to ventilate the house. As you burn hotter and hotter fires,
more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature of the paint. The smell of curing paint does not
disappear until you have burned one or two very hot fires.
Burn one or two small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build bigger and hotter fires
until there is no longer any paint smell from the fireplace. Once the paint smell disappears, your fireplace is
ready for serious heating.
4.3 Lighting Fires
Each person who heats with wood develops their own favorite way to light fires. Whatever method you
choose, your goal should be to get a hot fire burning quickly. A fire that starts fast produces less smoke and
deposits less creosote in the chimney. Here are three popular and effective ways to start wood fires.
4.3.1 Conventional Fire Starting
The conventional way to build a wood fire is to bunch up 5 to 10 sheets of
plain newspaper and place them in the firebox. Next, place 10 or so pieces
of fine kindling on the newspaper. This kindling should be very thin; less
than 1” (25 mm). Next, place some larger kindling pieces
on the fine
kindling. Open the air control fully and light the newspaper. If you have a
tall, s
traight venting system you should be able to close the door
immediately and the fire will ignite. Once the fire has ignited, close the
door and leave the air control fully open.
A conventional kindling fire with paper under finely split wood.
DO NOT LEAVE THE FIREPLACE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED. ALWAYS CLOSE AND
LATCH THE DOOR AFTER THE FIRE IGNITES.

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After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you have a fire of the
right size for the conditions.
CAUTION: PLACE THE WOOD LOGS FAR ENOUGH FROM THE GLASS TO ALLOW PROPER PRIMARY AIR
FLOW
4.3.2 The Top Down Fire
The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method: first, it does not
collapse and smother itself as it burns; and second, it is not necessary to build up the fire gradually because
the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can provide up to two hours of heating or more.
The top down method only works properly if the wood is well-seasoned.
Start by placing three or four full-sized split pieces of dry firewood in the firebox. Next, place 4 or 5 more
finely split pieces of firewood (2” to 3” [50 mm to 75 mm] in dia.) on the base logs at right angles (log cabin
style). Now place about 10 pieces of finely split kindling on the second layer at right angles.
The fire is topped with about 5 sheets of newspaper. You can just bunch them up and stuff them in
between the kindling and the underside of the baffle. Or you can make newspaper knots by rolling up single
sheets corner to corner and tying a knot in them. The advantage of knots is that they don’t roll off the fire
as they burn. Light the newspaper and watch as the fire burns from top to bottom.
4.3.3 Two Parallel Logs
Place two spit logs in the firebox. Place a few sheets of twisted newspaper between the logs. Now place
some fine kindling across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin style. Light the
newspaper.
4.3.4 Using Fire Starters
Many people like to use commercial fire starters instead of newspaper. Some of these starters are made of
sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid chemicals. Follow the package directions for
use.
Gel starter may be used but only if there are no hot embers present. Use only in a cold firebox to start a
fire.
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, OR AEROSOLS
TO START OR REKINDLE THE FIRE.
4.4 Maintaining Wood Fires
4.4.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be variations in
the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in temperature throughout the
day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages of zone heating with
wood.
Do not expect steady heat output from your fireplace. It is normal for its surface temperature to rise after a
new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the fire progresses. This rising
and falling of temperature can be matched to your household routines. For example, the area temperature
can be cooler when you are active, such as when doing housework or cooking, and it can be warmer when
you are inactive, such as when reading or watching television.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and ends when
that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it was when the wood was
loaded. Do not attempt to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular

HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual 19
intervals. Always place at least three, and preferably more, pieces on the fire at a time so that the heat
radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it. Each load of wood should provide several
hours of heating. The size of each load can be matched to the amount of heat needed.
When you burn in cycles, you rarely need to open the fireplace’s loading door while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage because there is more chance that smoke will leak from the fireplace when the door is
opened as a full fire is burning.
IF YOU MUST OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE FUEL IS FLAMING, OPEN THE AIR CONTROL FULLY FOR A FEW
MINUTES, THEN UNLATCH AND OPEN THE DOOR SLOWLY.
4.4.2 Ash Removal
Ash should be removed from the firebox every two or three days of full time heating. Do not let the ash
build up in the firebox because it will interfere with proper fire management.
The best time to remove ash is after an overnight fire when the fireplace is relatively cool, but there is still
some chimney draft to draw the ash dust into the fireplace and prevent it from coming into the room.
After ashes have been removed from the fireplace and placed in a tightly covered metal container, they
should be taken outside immediately. The closed container of ashes should be placed on a non-combustible
floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending final disposal. Ashes normally
contain some live charcoal that can stay hot for several days. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or
otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the closed container until all cinders have
thoroughly cooled. Other waste should not be placed in this container.
NEVER STORE ASHES INDOORS OR IN A NON-METALIC CONTAINER OR ON A WOODEN DECK.
4.4.3 Raking Charcoal
Rekindle the fire when you notice that the room temperature has fallen. You will find most of the remaining
charcoal at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake these coals towards the door before
loading. There are two reasons for this raking of the coals. First, it concentrates them near where most of
the combustion air enters the firebox and where they can ignite the new load quickly, and second, the
charcoal will not be smothered by the new load of wood. If you were to simply spread the charcoal out, the
new load will smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Remove ash first, and then rake charcoal towards the front of the firebox before loading so that it will ignite
the new load.

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4.4.4 Firing Each New Load Hot
Place the new load of wood on and behind the charcoal, and not too close to the glass. Close the door and
open the air control fully. Leave the air control fully open until the firebox is full of flames, the wood has
charred to black and its edges are glowing red. Firing each load of wood hot accomplishes a few things:
•drives the surface moisture from the wood,
•creates a layer of char on the wood, which slows down its release of smoke,
•heats the firebox components so they reflect heat back to the fire, and
•heats the chimney so it can produce strong, steady draft for the rest of the cycle.
Although it is important to fire each new load hot to prepare for a clean burn, do not allow the fire to burn
at full intensity for more than a few minutes.
DO NOT LEAVE THE FIREPLACE UNATTENDED WHILE A NEW LOAD IS BEING FIRED HOT.
DO NOT OVERFIRE.
When you burn a new load of wood hot to heat up the wood, the fireplace and the chimney, the result will
be a surge of heat from the fireplace. This heat surge is welcome when the room temperature is a little
lower than desirable, but not welcome if the space is already warm. Therefore, allow each load of wood to
burn down so that the space begins to cool off a little before loading. Letting the space cool before loading
is one of the secrets to clean burning and effective zone heating.
4.4.5 Turning Down the Air Supply
Once the firewood, firebox and chimney are hot, you can begin to reduce the air supply for a steady burn.
As you reduce the air supply to the fire, two important things happen. First, the firing rate slows down to
spread the heat energy in the fuel over a longer period of time. Second, the flow rate of exhaust through
the fireplace and flue pipe slows down, which gives more time for the transfer of heat from the exhaust.
You will notice that as you reduce the air setting, the flames slow down. This is your indication that the
fireplace is burning at its peak efficiency.
If the flames get small and almost disappear when you turn down the air, you have turned down the air too
early, or your firewood is wetter than it should be. With good fuel and correct air control use, the flames
should slow down, but should stay large and steady, even as the air supply is reduced.