Design Dynamics VF-18N-MHD, VF-24N-MHD, VF-24P-MHD, VF-18P-MHD Owner's Manual
UNVENTED (VENT-FREE) GAS LOG HEATER
OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL
MODELS VF-18N-MHD, VF-18P-MHD, VF-24N-MHD
AND VF-24P-MHD
WARNING: If the information in this manual is not
followed exactly , a fire or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
— Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable
vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance.
— WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
• Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any
phone in your building.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s
phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier , call the fire
department.
— Installation and service must be performed by a quali-
fied installer, service agency or the gas supplier.
INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.
CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.
For more information, visit www.desatech.com
Safety .................................................................. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unpacking............................................................ 4
Product Identification ........................................... 5
Local Codes......................................................... 5
Product Features .................................................5
Air For Combustion and Ventilation ..................... 5
Installation ........................................................... 8
Operation ........................................................... 15
Inspecting Burners ............................................ 19
SAFETY
Cleaning and Maintenance ................................ 20
Troubleshooting .................................................21
Wiring Diagram .................................................. 24
Replacement Parts ............................................ 25
Service Hints .....................................................25
Technical Service............................................... 25
Accessories ....................................................... 25
Parts .................................................................. 26
Warranty ..............................................Back Cover
WARNING: Improper
installation, adjustment,
alteration, service or maintenance can cause injury
or property damage. Refer
to this manual for correct
installation and operational procedures. For assistance or additional information consult a qualified
installer, service agency or
the gas supplier.
WARNING: This ap-
pliance is for installation
only in a solid-fuel burning
masonry or UL127 factory-built fireplace or in a
listed ventless firebox enclosure. It is design-certified for these installations
in accordance with ANSI
Z21.11.2. Exception: Do
not install this appliance
in a factory-built fireplace
that includes instructions
stating it has not been tested or should not be used
with unvented gas logs.
WARNING: This is an
unvented gas-fired heater. It uses air (oxygen)
from the room in which
it is installed. Provisions
for adequate combustion
and ventilation air must
be provided. Refer to Air
for Combustion and Ventilation section on page 5
of this manual.
This appliance may be in-
stalled in an aftermarket,*
permanently located,
manufactured (mobile)
home, where not prohibited by local codes.
This appliance is only for
use with the type of gas
indicated on the rating
plate. This appliance is
not convertible for use
with other gases.
* Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for
purpose of resale, from the manufacturer
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116986-01F2
SAFETY
Continued
WARNING: This product contains and/or generates chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer or birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
IMPORT ANT: Read this owner’s
manual carefully and completely
before trying to assemble,
operate or service this heater.
Improper use of this heater can
cause serious injury or death
from burns, fire, explosion,
electrical shock and carbon
monoxide poisoning.
DANGER: Carbon monoxide
poisoning may lead to death!
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of
carbon monoxide poisoning resemble the flu,
with headaches, dizziness or nausea. If you
have these signs, the heater may not be working properly. Get fresh air at once! Have heater
serviced. Some people are more affected by
carbon monoxide than others. These include
pregnant women, people with heart or lung
disease or anemia, those under the influence
of alcohol and those at high altitudes.
Natural and Propane/LP Gas: Natural and
propane/LP gases are odorless. An odor-making agent is added to these gases. The odor
helps you detect a gas leak. However, the
odor added to the gas can fade. Gas may be
present even though no odor exists.
Make certain you read and understand all
warnings. Keep this manual for reference. It
is your guide to safe and proper operation of
this heater.
WARNING: Any change to
this heater or its controls can
be dangerous.
WARNING: Do not allow fans
to blow directly into the heater.
Avoid any drafts that alter burner
flame patterns. Ceiling fans can
create drafts that alter burner
flame patterns. Altered burner
patterns can cause sooting.
WARNING: Do not place
log scraps or lava rocks on
burner.
Due to high temperatures, the
appliance should be located out
of traffic and away from furniture
and draperies.
Do not place clothing or other
flammable material on or near
the appliance. Never place any
objects on the heater.
Heater base assembly becomes
very hot when running heater.
Keep children and adults away
from hot surface to avoid burns
or clothing ignition. Heater
will remain hot for a time after
shutdown. Allow surface to cool
before touching.
Carefully supervise young children when they are in the room
with heater.
You must operate this heater
with a fireplace screen in place.
Make sure fireplace screen is
closed before running heater.
WARNING: Do not use a
blower insert, heat exchanger
insert or other accessory not approved for use with this heater.
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Keep the appliance area clear
and free from combustible materials, gasoline and other flam-
mable vapors and liquids.
SAFETY
Continued
1. This appliance is only for use with the type
of gas indicated on the rating plate. This
appliance is not convertible for use with
other gases.
2.
Do not place propane/LP supply tank(s) inside any structure. Locate propane/LP supply
tank(s) outdoors (propane/LP units only).
3. If you smell gas
• shut off gas supply
• do not try to light any appliance
• do not touch any electrical switch; do not
use any phone in your building
• immediately call your gas supplier from
a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions
• if you cannot reach your gas supplier,
call the fire department
4. This heater shall not be installed in a
bedroom or bathroom.
5. Before installing in a solid fuel burning fire-
place, the chimney flue and firebox must
be cleaned of soot, creosote, ashes and
loose paint by a qualified chimney cleaner.
Creosote will ignite if highly heated. Inspect
chimney flue for damage. If damaged,
repair flue before operating heater.
6. Do not burn solid-fuel in a masonry or
UL127 factory-built fireplace in which a
vent-free room heater is installed.
7. If fireplace has glass doors, never operate
this heater with glass doors closed. If you
operate heater with doors closed, heat
buildup inside fireplace will cause glass to
burst. Make sure there are no obstructions
across openings of fireplace.
8. T o prevent the creation of soot, follow the
instructions in Cleaning and Maintenance,
page 20.
9. Before using furniture polish, wax, carpet
cleaner or similar products, turn heater off. If
heated, the vapors from these products may
create a white powder residue within burner
box or on adjacent walls or furniture.
10. This heater needs fresh, outside air ventilation to run properly. This heater has an
oxygen depletion sensing (ODS) pilot light
safety system. The ODS shuts down the
heater if not enough fresh air is available.
See Air for Combustion and Ventilation,
page 5. If heater keeps shutting off, see
Troubleshooting, page 21.
11. Do not run heater
• where flammable liquids or vapors are
used or stored
• under dusty conditions
12. Do not use this heater to cook food or burn
paper or other objects.
13. Do not use heater if any part has been exposed to or under water. Immediately call
a qualified service technician to inspect
the room heater and to replace any part
of the control system and any gas control
which has been under water.
14. Do not operate heater if any log is broken.
Do not operate heater if a log is chipped
(dime-sized or larger).
15. Turn heater off and let cool before servicing
or repairing. Only a qualified service person
should install, service or repair heater.
16. This heater does not need to be connected to any external electrical source.
17. T o prevent performance problems, do not
use propane/LP fuel tank of less than 100
lb. capacity (propane/LP units only).
18. Operating heater above elevations of
4,500 feet could cause pilot outage.
19. Provide adequate clearances around air
openings.
UNPACKING
CAUTION: Do not remove the
data plates from the grate assembly . The data plates contain
important warranty and safety
information.
1. Remove log set assembly from carton.
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Note: Do not pick up assembly by logs.
This could damage heater. Always handle
assembly by grate.
2. Remove all protective packaging applied
to log set for shipment.
3. Check heater for any shipping damage. If
heater is damaged call DESA Heating, LLC
at 1-866-672-6040 for replacement parts
before returning to dealer.
116986-01F4
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Log Set
Assembly
Hand-Held
Remote Control
Figure 1 - Product Identification
LOCAL CODES
Install and use heater with care. Follow all
local codes. In the absence of local codes,
use the latest edition of The National Fuel
Gas Code ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54*.
*Available from:
American National Standards Institute, Inc.
1430 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
National Fire Protection Association, Inc.
Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269
PRODUCT FEATURES
OPERATION
This heater is clean burning. It requires no
outside venting. There is no heat loss out a
vent or up a chimney. Heat is generated by
realistic flames and glowing ceramic logs/
coals. This heater is designed for vent-free
operation with flue damper closed. It has
been tested and approved to ANSI Z21.11.2
standard for unvented heaters. State and local codes in some areas prohibit the use of
vent-free heaters.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Control Valve with
Remote Receiver
Module
Chassis Assembly
State of Massachusetts: The installation must be made by a licensed plumber
or gas fitter in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Sellers of unvented propane or natural
gas-fired supplemental room heaters shall
provide to each purchaser a copy of 527
CMR 30 upon sale of the unit.
Vent-free gas products are prohibited for
bedroom and bathroom installation in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SAFETY PILOT
This heater has a pilot with an Oxygen Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff system. The
ODS/pilot is a required feature for vent-free
room heaters. The ODS/pilot shuts off the
heater if there is not enough fresh air.
REMOTE IGNITION AND CONTROL
This gas log set has a battery powered
electronic remote ignition and control. This
system requires no matches or other source
to light log set.
WARNING: This fireplace shall not be installed in a room or space
unless the required volume of indoor combustible air is provided by
the method described in the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/
NFP A 54, the International Fuel Gas Code, or applicable local codes.
Read the following instructions to insure proper fresh air for this
and other fuel-burning appliances in your home.
Today’s homes are built more energy efficient
than ever. New materials, increased insulation
and new construction methods help reduce heat
loss in homes. Home owners weather strip and
116986-01F 5
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caulk around windows and doors to keep the
cold air out and the warm air in. During heating
months, home owners want their homes as
airtight as possible.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Continued
While it is good to make your home energy effi-
cient, your home needs to breathe. Fresh air must
enter your home. All fuel-burning appliances need
fresh air for proper combustion and ventilation.
Exhaust fans, fireplaces, clothes dryers and
fuel burning appliances draw air from the house
to operate. You must provide adequate fresh
air for these appliances. This will insure proper
venting of vented fuel-burning appliances.
PROVIDING ADEQUA TE
VENTILATION
The following are excerpts from National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation.
All spaces in homes fall into one of the three
following ventilation classifications:
1. Unusually Tight Construction
2. Unconfined Space
3. Confined Space
The information on pages 5 through 7 will help
you classify your space and provide adequate
ventilation.
Unusually Tight Construction
The air that leaks around doors and windows
may provide enough fresh air for combustion
and ventilation. However, in buildings of unusually tight construction, you must provide
additional fresh air.
Unusually tight construction is defined as
construction where:
a. walls and ceilings exposed to the out-
side atmosphere have a continuous
water vapor retarder with a rating of one
perm (6 x 10
with openings gasketed or sealed and
b. weather stripping has been added on
openable windows and doors and
c. caulking or sealants are applied to
areas such as joints around window
and door frames, between sole plates
and floors, between wall-ceiling joints,
between wall panels, at penetrations
for plumbing, electrical and gas lines
and at other openings.
If your home meets all of the three criteria
above, you must provide additional fresh air.
See Ventilation Air From Outdoors, page 7.
If your home does not meet all of the three
criteria above, proceed to Determining
Fresh-Air Flow For Heater Location.
Confined and Unconfined Space
The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/
NFPA 54 defines a confined space as a space
-11
kg per pa-sec-m2) or less
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whose volume is less than 50 cubic feet per
1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m
3
per kw) of the aggregate
input rating of all appliances installed in that
space and an unconfined space as a space
whose volume is not less than 50 cubic feet per
1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m
3
per kw) of the aggregate
input rating of all appliances installed in that
space. Rooms communicating directly with the
space in which the appliances are installed*,
through openings not furnished with doors, are
considered a part of the unconfined space.
* Adjoining rooms are communicating only if
there are doorless passageways or ventilation
grills between them.
DETERMINING FRESH-AIR FLOW
FOR HEATER LOCATION
Determining if You Have a Confined or
Unconfined Space
Use this work sheet to determine if you have
a confined or unconfined space.
Space: Includes the room in which you will
install heater plus any adjoining rooms with
doorless passageways or ventilation grills
between the rooms.
1. Determine the volume of the space (length
x width x height).
Length x Width x Height =__________cu. ft.
(volume of space)
Example: Space size 20 ft. (length) x 16 ft.
(width) x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 2,560 cu. ft.
(volume of space)
If additional ventilation to adjoining room
is supplied with grills or openings, add the
volume of these rooms to the total volume
of the space.
2. Multiply the space volume by 20 to determine
the maximum Btu/Hr the space can support.
________ (volume of space) x 20 = (Maxi-
mum Btu/Hr the space can support)
Example: 2,560 cu. ft. (volume of space) x
20 = 51,200 (maximum Btu/Hr the space can
support)
3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning appliances
in the space.
Vent-free fireplace __________Btu/Hr
Gas water heater* __________Btu/Hr
Gas furnace __________Btu/Hr
Vented gas heater __________Btu/Hr
Gas fireplace logs __________Btu/Hr
Other gas appliances + _________Btu/Hr
Total= __________Btu/Hr
* Do not include direct-vent gas appliances.
Direct-vent draws combustion air from the
outdoors and vents to the outdoors.
116986-01F6
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
A
Continued
Example:
Gas water heater __________Btu/Hr
Vent-free fireplace+ __________Btu/Hr
Total= __________Btu/Hr
40,000
33,000
73,000
4. Compare the maximum Btu/Hr the space
can support with the actual amount of Btu/Hr
used.
______Btu/Hr (max the space can support)
______Btu/Hr (actual amount Btu/Hr used)
Example: 51,200 Btu/Hr (maximum the
space can support)
73,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of
Btu/Hr used)
The space in the example is a confined space
because the actual Btu/Hr used is more than the
maximum Btu/Hr the space can support. You
must provide additional fresh air. Your options
are as follows:
A. Rework worksheet, adding the space of an
adjoining room. If the extra space provides
an unconfined space, remove door to adjoining room or add ventilation grills between
rooms. See Ventilation Air From Inside
Building.
B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See
Ventilation Air From Outdoors.
C. Install a lower Btu/Hr fireplace, if lower Btu/Hr
size makes room unconfined.
If the actual Btu/Hr used is less than the maximum Btu/Hr the space can support, the space is
an unconfined space. Y ou will need no additional
fresh air ventilation.
WARNING: If the area in which
the heater may be operated does
not meet the required volume for
indoor combustion air, combustion and ventilation air shall be
provided by one of the methods
described in the National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFP A 54,
the International Fuel Gas Code,
or applicable local codes.
VENTILA TION AIR
Ventilation Air From Inside Building
This fresh air would come from an adjoining
unconfined space. When ventilating to an
adjoining unconfined space, you must provide
two permanent openings: one within 12" of the
ceiling and one within 12" of the floor on the
wall connecting the two spaces (see options
1 and 2, Figure 2). Y ou can also remove door
into adjoining room (see option 3, Figure 2).
Follow the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for Combustion and
Ventilation for required size of ventilation
grills or ducts.
12"
Ventilation
Grills
Into Adjoining
Room,
Option 1
Or
Remove
Door into
Adjoining
Room,
Option
3
Ventilation Grills
Into Adjoining Room,
12"
Option 2
Figure 2 - Ventilation Air from Inside
Building
Ventilation Air From Outdoors
Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation
grills or ducts. You must provide two permanent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling
and one within 12" of the floor. Connect these
items directly to the outdoors or spaces open
to the outdoors. These spaces include attics
and crawl spaces. Follow the National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation for required size
of ventilation grills or ducts.
IMPORTANT: Do not provide openings for
inlet or outlet air into attic if attic has a thermostat-controlled power vent. Heated air entering
the attic will activate the power vent.
Ventilated
Attic
Crawl Space
Ventilated
To Attic
To
Crawl
Space
Outlet
ir
Inlet
Air
Outlet
Air
Inlet Air
Figure 3 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors
116986-01F 7
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INSTALLATION
NOTICE: This heater is intended
for use as supplemental heat.
Use this heater along with your
primary heating system. Do not
install this heater as your primary heat source. If you have a
central heating system, you may
run system’s circulating blower
while using heater. This will help
circulate the heat throughout the
house. In the event of a power
outage, you can use this heater
as your primary heat source.
WARNING: A qualified service person must install heater.
Follow all local codes.
WARNING: Before installing
in a solid fuel burning fireplace,
the chimney flue and firebox
must be cleaned of soot, creosote, ashes and loose paint by
a qualified chimney cleaner.
Creosote will ignite if highly
heated. A dirty chimney flue may
create and distribute soot within
the house. Inspect chimney and
firebox flue for damage. If damaged, repair flue and firebox
before operating heater.
WARNING: Seal any fresh
air vents or ash clean-out doors
located on floor or wall of fire-
place. If not, drafting may cause
pilot outage or sooting. Use a
heat-resistant sealant. Do not
seal chimney flue damper.
WARNING: Never install the
heater
• in a bedroom or bathroom
• in a recreational vehicle
• where curtains, furniture,
clothing or other flammable
objects are less than 36" from
the front, and 42" from top of
heater. For side clearances see
Figure 4, page 9
• in high traffic areas
• in windy or drafty areas
CAUTION: This heater creates warm air currents. These
currents move heat to wall surfaces next to heater. Installing
heater next to vinyl or cloth wall
coverings or operating heater
where impurities (such as, but
not limited to, tobacco smoke,
aromatic candles, cleaning flu-
ids, oil or kerosene lamps, etc.) in
the air exist, may discolor walls
or cause odors.
WARNING: Antenna and
ignition cable must maintain a
spacing of 3/4". Failure to keep
them separated will result in
damage to the receiver. See Wir-
ing Diagram on page 24.
IMPORTANT: V ent-free heaters add moisture
to the air. Although this is beneficial, installing
heater in rooms without enough ventilation
air may cause mildew to form from too much
moisture. See Air for Combustion and Ventila-
tion, page 5.
CHECK GAS TYPE
Use the correct gas type (natural or propane/
LP) for your unit. If your gas supply is not correct, do not install heater. Call dealer where
you bought heater for proper type heater.
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116986-01F8
INSTALLATION
Continued
WARNING: This appliance is
equipped for either natural gas
or propane/LP gas but not both.
Gas type is indicated on the rating plate. Field conversion is not
permitted.
INSTALLATION AND CLEARANCES
FOR VENT-FREE OPERATION
WARNING: Maintain the
minimum clearances. If you
can, provide greater clearances
from floor, ceiling and adjoining
wall.
MINIMUM FIREPLACE CLEARANCE
TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
Side Wall 16", Ceiling 42",
Floor 5", Front 36"
LOG SIZING REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Firebox Size
Log
Size Height Depth
18" 20" 14" 35" 22
24" 20" 14" 35" 22 1/2"
*Measured at 14" depth
Carefully follow the instructions below. This
will ensure safe installation into a masonry,
UL127-listed manufactured fireplace or listed
vent-free firebox enclosure.
Minimum Clearances For Side
Combustible Material, Side Wall and
Ceiling
A. Clearances from the side of the fireplace
cabinet to any combustible material and
wall should follow diagram in Figure 4.
Example: The face of a mantel, bookshelf,
etc. is made of combustible material and
protrudes 3 1/2" from the wall. This combustible material must be 4" from the side
of the fireplace cabinet (see Figure 4).
Note: When installing your gas logs into
a manufactured firebox, follow firebox
manufacturer’s instructions for minimum
clearances to combustible materials.
Front
Width
Rear*
Width
1
/2"
B. Clearances from the top of the fireplace
opening to the ceiling should not be less
than 42".
Example
*
*Minimum 16" from Side Wall
Figure 4 - Minimum Clearance for
Combustible to Wall
Minimum Noncombustible Material
Clearances
If Not Using Mantel
Note: If using a mantel, proceed to If Using
Mantel. If not using a mantel, follow the information below.
You must have noncombustible material(s)
above fireplace opening. Noncombustible materials (such as slate, marble, tile, etc.) must
be at least 1/2" thick. With sheet metal, you
must have noncombustible material behind
it. Noncombustible material must extend at
least 8" up (for all models). If noncombustible
material is less than 12", you must install
the fireplace hood accessory (24" models
only). See Figure 5, page 10, for minimum
clearances.
If Using Mantel
You must have noncombustible material(s)
above the fireplace opening. Noncombustible
materials (such as slate, marble, tile, etc.)
must be at least 1/2" thick. With sheet metal,
you must have noncombustible material behind it. Noncombustible material must extend
at least 8" up (for all models). If noncombustible material is less than 12", you must
install the fireplace hood accessory. Even if
noncombustible material is more than 12", you
may need the hood accessory to deflect heat
away from your mantel shelf. See Figures 5, 6
and 7, page 10, for minimum clearances.
116986-01F 9
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