Superior WRT4826WH Installation And Operation Instructions Manual

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

An French manual is available upon request. Order P/N 900086-00.

Ce manuel est disponible en francais, simplement en faire la demande. Numéro
de la pièce 900086-00.

INSTALLATION AND
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

WRT4826WH

Wood Burning Fireplaces
P/N 900085-00 REV. B 06/2016

MODEL

WRT4826WH

This installation manual will enable you to obtain a safe, effi cient and
dependable installation of your fi replace system. Please read and
understand these instructions before beginning your installation.

Do not alter or modify the fi replace or its components under any circum­stances. Any modifi cation or alteration of the fi replace system, including
but not limited to the fi replace, chimney components and accessories,
may void the warranty, listings and approvals of this system and could
result in an unsafe and potentially dangerous installation.

IHP wood-burning fi replaces are designed for use as a supplemental
heater. They are not intended for continuous use as a primary heat
source.

WARNING

• Hot! Do not touch! The glass and
surfaces of this appliance will be hot
during operation and will retain heat
for a while after shutting off the appli­ance. Severe burns may result.

•

Carefully supervise children in the
same room as appliance.

If small children are present in the home, it is

•
recommended that this appliance be fi tted with
an adjustable safety gate or barrier screen.

Listed to standards:

ULC-S610 & UL-127

CUS

Report # 14-197

EPA Cert. No. 518

WARNING

• The fi replace cannot be operated without a door
or fi rescreen. Consult your dealer to select the
correct door or fi rescreen.

• Important! To assure proper alignment of glass
doors: Install this fi replace in a square and
plumb condition, using shims as necessary at
sides and/or bottom.

•

Install the fi replace only as described in these
instructions.

P900085-00

IMPORTANT! GENERAL SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS. READ AND
UNDERSTAND THESE SAFETY
RULES BEFORE YOUR FIRST FIRE.

The WRT4826WH fi replace must
be installed with an outside air
kit intake, which is included with
the fi replace

THE FIREPLACE MUST BE OPER­ATED WITH THE DOORS FULLY
OPENED OR DOORS FULLY CLOSED.
IF THE DOORS ARE LEFT PARTLY
OPENED, GAS AND FLAME MAY BE
DRAWN OUT OF THE FIREPLACE
OPENING, CREATING RISKS OF
BOTH FIRE AND SMOKE. IF THE
UNIT IS OPERATED WITH THE
DOORS FULLY OPENED, THE FIRE
SCREEN MUST BE USED.

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

NEVER use gasoline, gasoline­type lantern fuel, kerosene,
charcoal lighter fl uid, naphtha,
engine oil or similar liquids to
start or “freshen up” a fi re in this
fi replace. Keep any fl ammable
liquids a safe distance from the
fi replace at all times.

WARNING

THIS FIREPLACE HAS NOT BEEN
TESTED WITH AN UNVENTED
GAS OR A FIREPLACE INSERT.
TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR
INJURY, DO NOT INSTALL AN
UNVENTED GAS LOG SET OR
FIREPLACE INSERT OR OTHER
PRODUCTS NOT SPECIFIED FOR
USE WITH THIS FIREPLACE.

WARNING

Never leave your fi replace unat­tended while it is burning.

WARNING

Use care when selecting window
treatments for windows located
near the fi replace. Avoid using
combustible flowing window
treatments such as curtains
on nearby windows that are of
suffi cient length to be blown in
front of an open fl ame when the
window is opened.

Keep any combustible furniture,
materials or decorative pillows
at least 48" (1219 mm) from the
front fi replace opening.

WARNING

Never leave children unattended
when there is a fi re burning in
the fi replace.

IMPORTANT

When burning wood, use SOLID
NATURAL DRY WELL-SEASONED
WOOD ONLY. Hardwoods are rec­ommended (soft woods tend to burn
very quickly).

•

DO NOT burn treated wood,

charcoal, coal, trash, card­board, driftwood, woods dipped
in tar, Christmas tree greens,
pitch, pine tar, creosote, chemi­cal chimney cleaners, fl ame
colorants, polystyrene packag­ing, wood products with syn­thetic binders (i.e. plywood).
Plywood, lumber and other
misc. materials can produce
abnormally high temperatures,
sputtering and smoking fi res
and may contain hazardous
chemicals to treat insects and
fungus.

•

Burning unapproved fuels can

produce excessive tempera­tures, beyond the design capa­bilities of the fi replace and may
produce excess sparks or may
contain hazardous chemicals.
Burning unapproved fuels can
result in a chimney fi re, a house
fi re, personal injury, death or
loss of property.

WARNING

To avoid the risk of damaging
fi replace materials and increas­ing the risk of fi re, do not use the
fi replace to cook or warm food.

WARNING

Be careful adding wood fuel to the
fi re or handling fi replace tools such
as shovels, tongs or pokers.

WARNING

Never modify or alter your fi re­place system in any way. To do
so may create a potential fi re
hazard and void the limited war­ranty, listings and approvals of
this system.

WARNING

The bottom refractory can be
cracked by excessive abuse such
as tossing heavy logs onto the
grate or gouging with fi replace
tools. Exercise caution when
adding wood to your fi replace.

WARNING

Neither the manufacturer nor the
seller warrants “smoke free”
operation nor are we responsible
for inadequate system draft
caused by mechanical systems,
general construction conditions,
inadequate chimney heights,
adverse wind conditions and/or
unusual environmental factors or
conditions beyond our control.

WARNING

Always ensure that the air inlet to
the fi replace is free from debris
and any other obstructions that
can block the entrance of air.

2

CONGRATULATIONS!

When you purchased your new fi replace, you joined the ranks of thousands of individuals
whose answer to their home heating needs refl ects their concern for aesthetics, effi ciency
and our environment. We extend our continued support to help you achieve the maximum
benefi t and enjoyment available from your new fi replace.

Thank you for selecting a IHP fi replace as the answer to your home supplemental heat­ing needs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety Rules .......................................Page 2

The Fireplace ...................................... Page 3

Introduction ....................................... Page 3

Parts Required ..................................Page 3

Additional Equipment (Optional) ........Page 3

Operating The Fireplace .....................Page 4

Fuel .................................................... Page 4

Catalytic Combustor ........................... Page 4

Combustion Control ..........................Page 4

Starting And Maintaining A Fire .........Page 5

Refuelling For Best Performance ....... Page 5

Smoking – Causes And

Troubleshooting ............................... Page 6

Important Cautions ............................ Page 6

Dealing With A Chimney Fire .............. Page 6

Maintaining Your

Fireplace .......................................... Page 7

Creosote ............................................. Page 7

Chimney Maintenance ........................ Page 7

Catalytic Combustor ........................... Page 7

Refractory Replacement ..................... Page 9

Door Frame Care ................................Page 9

Ashes ................................................. Page 9

Door Installation ................................Page 10

Door Adjustment ................................ Page 10

Glass Care - Replacement ..................Page 10

Glass Care - Cleaning .........................Page 10

Gasket Replacement .........................Page 10

FIREPLACE INSTALLATION ............... Page 10

Locating The Fireplace ....................... Page 10

Framing, Facing And Mantel ............... Page 11

Hearth Extension Requirements ........ Page 11

Cold Climate Installations ...................Page 11

Fireplace / Framing Dimensions .........Page 12

Insulated Chase Construction ............Page 13

Nailing Flanges ................................... Page 13

Facing / Mantel ..................................Page 14

HOT AIR DUCTING INSTALLATION ...Page 15

Gravity Kit .......................................... Page 15

Outside Air Kit ...................................Page 17

Chimney System ................................Page 18

ACBI Chimney

Installation Instructions ...................Page 19

Offset Chimney Installation ................Page 20

Angled Wall Radiation Shield .............Page 21

Chimney Support Installation ............. Page 22

Chimney Chase And

Multiple Terminations....................... Page 22

Masonry Applications ........................Page 23

Installation Accessories .....................Page 24

Replacement Parts .............................Page 25

Specifi cations .....................................Page 25

Clearance To Combustible ................. Page 25

Chimney Components Lists ............... Page 26

Warranty ............................................ Page 29

Product Reference Information ..........Page 30

SAFETY RULES FOR OPERATING
YOUR FIREPLACE

• Use only IHP glass doors, specifi cally de-

signed for the WRT4826WH fi replace.

• When cleaning the fi replace, the Ashes should

be placed in a steel container with a tight
fi tting lid and moved outdoors immediately.
Other waste shall not be placed in this con­tainer. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a non-combustible fl oor or on
the ground, well away from all combustible
materials, pending fi nal disposal. 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.

CAUTION: KEEP COMBUSTIBLE MA­TERIALS AT LEAST 48 INCHES AWAY
FROM THE FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE
OPENING.

CAUTION: BURN UNTREATED WOOD
ONLY. OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS
WOOD PRESERVATIVES, METAL FOILS,
COAL, PLASTIC, GARBAGE, SULPHUR OR
OIL MAY DAMAGE THE CATALYST.

CAUTION: DO NOT OPERATE WITH­OUT THE CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR IN
PLACE.

CAUTION: NEVER BURN WITH THE BY­PASS OPENED EXCEPT FOR FIRE START­UP AND WHEN RELOADING THE STOVE.

THE FIREPLACE

INTRODUCTION

The WRT4826WH fi replace is an energy effi cient,
heat circulating, close combustion fi replace us­ing the catalytic technology. You will receive a
lifetime of comfort and enjoyment from your
fi replace provided it is maintained and oper­ated properly.

• Please read these instructions and retain this

manual for future reference.

• Before beginning the fi replace installation,

consult the local authorities to obtain your
building permit and check your local building
codes. Install the fi replace only as described
in these instructions and using only IHP
components.

• This fi replace has been tested for CAN/ULC

S610-M87 and ANSI/UL 127 under report
number 192-5237. It has also been tested
for EPA 40 C.F.R Part 60, section 60.532(b).
Certifi cate number 518.

• The WRT4826WH Fireplace is not intended

for use with a gas log set. Failure to follow
these instructions will void the certifi cation
and the warranty of the fi replace and may
result in an unsafe installation.

Parts Required

• Fireplace model WRT4826WH

• Door set (Black, Gold, Nickel)

• Louver set (Del Sol, Diamante, Luna, Fiori,

Strada)

• 7" diameter chimney

ASHT+,
manufactured by Security Chimneys Inter­national™ only, including:

- Chimney lengths

- Elbows (where necessary)

- Radiation shield, Attic radiation shield

- Roof fl ashing

- Rain cap

- Support

Secure Temp S-2100+

• 7" diameter chimney

DTC manufactured by DuraVent
including:

- Chimney lengths

- Elbows (where necessary)

- Radiation shield, Attic radiation shield

- Roof fl ashing

- Rain cap

- Support

model

Secure Temp

*

Model DuraTech®

**

®

or ACBI

®

only,

• Outside air kit (included)

Additional Equipment (optional)

• Forced Air Kit

• Gravity venting system

• Panel for clean face option

(only with gravity venting system)

• Fireplace fan kit, UZY5

• Rigid Firescreen

• ACBI Chimney Outside Air Kit (required

with ACBI chimney installation)

Not tested under EPA certification. If

installed, this appliance no longer quali­fi es for EPA certifi cation. Check with local
authorities having jurisdiction for require­ments in your area.





Available from Security Chimneys™

*

Available from DuraVent

**

®

3

OPERATING THE FIREPLACE

Fuel -

This appliance is designed to burn
dry seasoned natural wood only (see Page 7
for a list of prohibited fuels).

proper fuels only will void the certifi cation and
the warranty of the appliance. Hardwoods are

preferred to softwoods since the energy content
of wood is relative to its density. Hardwoods
will result in a longer burning fi re and less
frequent refuelling.

A moisture content of 15% to 20% (seasoned)
is recommended. Wood that has been cut and
split and let to dry under a cover for a period
of one year will usually meet that criteria. The
required drying time will vary depending on the
climate. Wood that is packed tight together will
take longer to dry. Seasoned wood is darker in
color than wet wood and will have visible cracks
in the grain on the ends. Excessively wet wood
will be diffi cult to burn and will result in lower
effi ciency, increased creosoting and plugging
of the catalytic combustor. Excessively dry
wood will burn well but will also have higher
emissions and shorter burning time.

Overheating the unit above 1000° C (1800º F)
is harmful for the catalytic combustor, it can
damage the catalyst coating and can cause
cracking of the substrate. Looking through
the upper louvers, if the top of the fi rebox is
glowing, the unit is overheating.

Failure to burn

Catalytic Combustor

The WRT4826WH fi replace is equipped with a
catalytic combustor. Unburned by-products of
the wood fi re are burned at lower temperatures
as they pass through the combustor resulting
in less pollution, reduced creosote and higher
effi ciency. In order to have the catalyst work­ing, temperatures of the fl ue gases entering
the combustor have to be higher than 500° F
(260° C). That is why the unit is equipped with
a by-pass damper that allows the draft air to
by-pass the catalytic combustor. Opening the
by-pass damper control increases the draft
allowing the unit to achieve proper operating
temperatures during a cold start-up. It also
provides more draft to prevent smoke spillage
when the door is opened.

Catalytic By-Pass Gauge

To determine when to close the By-Pass, the
unit is equipped with a gauge (see Figure 1).
The gauge is located behind the bottom louver in
the lower left corner. To open the louver, gently
pull underneath the top fi n of the louver and
the door will open down. Once you can see the
gauge needle in the catalytic combustor operat­ing range, you may push to close the By-Pass
lever and close the bottom louver.

When the catalyst light-off conditions are
achieved, the combustor will keep on going
until it runs out of smoke. Note that the catalyst
does not need to be glowing to be working, it
can work very well at temperatures well below
the 538° C (1000° F) level at which it will begin
to glow. The best way to see if the catalyst is
active is to take a look at what is coming out
of the chimney. If the catalytic combustor is
working you will see some white water vapor
coming out, compared to a more brown/gray
smoke when the by-pass is opened. Do not
burn any chemical chimney cleaner; it can make
the catalyst inactive.

Combustion Control

There is no fl ue damper in the WRT4826WH
fi replace. As is common with air tight stoves,
the combustion air damper controls the air
entering the fi rebox. This allows for a more
precise control of the fi re. The combustion air
damper knob is located on the left of the bottom
louver (Figure 1). It is opened when moved
completely to the left. This control should be
in the closed position when the fi replace is not
in use. This will minimize air leakage up the
chimney. The combustion air control and the

by-pass damper control must be opened before
opening the door to minimize the possibility
of back draft coming into the room.

DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER

Attempts to achieve heat output rates that
exceed heater design specifi cations can result
in permanent damage to the heater and to the
catalytic combustor if so equipped.

First Fires

Before using the fi replace make sure to remove
the plastic wrapping on plated doors. Remove
all remaining glue from labels with mild soap.
Gold and Nickel plated doors must be cleaned
and free of fi ngerprints.

The fi rst 5 or 6 fi res should be small fi res of
short duration (about 30 to 60 minutes). This
will help cure the refractory bricks. Ashes
that will accumulate in the ashtray will protect
it from intense heat. During the fi rst few fi res
of this appliance there may be some odor and
smoke due to the curing of the paint, dust ac­cumulation and burning off of lubricants used
in the manufacturing process. It may set off
a smoke alarm located in the same room. For
this reason the room should be well ventilated
for the fi rst few fi res.

This wood heater has a manufacturer­set 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.

Catalytic By-Pass Gauge

CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR

ACTIVE

Located behind bottom

louver assembly

Combustion

Air Control

CLOSEDOPEN

By-Pass

Figure 1

This manual describes the installation and operation of the IHP model Villa Vista™ catalytic equipped
wood heater. This heater meets the 2015 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s crib wood emission
limits for wood heaters sold after May 15, 2015. Under specifi c test conditions this heater has been
shown to deliver heat at rates ranging from 10,900 to 35,600 Btu/hr.

4

NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.

Accelerated Combustion

The maximum heat output for the WRT4826WH
fi replace is achieved by burning with the com­bustion air damper opened (see Figure 2). By
this method, the WRT4826WH fi replace can
produce up to 70,000 BTU of heat per hour.
However, it will be necessary to reload with
wood every one or two hours. This is the least
effi cient method of burning the WRT4826WH
fi replace.

Figure 2

Use caution when fi ring with the combustion
air control wide open. Only burn cordwood in
this manner. Small dry pieces of softwood and
construction scraps will burn very intensely
using this method and may damage the fi rebox
and catalytic combustor.

Medium Combustion

This is the recommended mode of operating
the WRT4826WH fi replace and should be the
one normally used since it will deposit the least
amount of creosote on the glass and in the
chimney. The combustion air damper must be
3/4" closed (see Figure 3). The precise setting
will depend on many factors, including chimney
length and the moisture content of the wood.

Slow Combustion

When the air combustion damper is almost
closed, the fi replace is in a slow combustion
phase (see Figure 4). Slow combustion will
not stop the fi re, but there will be a noticeable
change in the fl ame pattern. The fl ames will
be slow and may appear dirty if the wood is
too wet (moisture content of 20% and more).

Always set the damper so that fl ames are
visible , that way you maintain a good clean
combustion process.

Figure 4

This method of burning should be used only
after operating the WRT4826WH fi replace with
the air control opened to produce a hot fi re for
about an hour. Slow combustion can be used
at night in order to reduce the heat output and
prolong the burn. The loading time will be
between 6-10 hours. Be aware that the glass

will get dirty using this setting.

Starting And Maintaining a Fire

Step 1. Place several crumpled up balls of

newspaper in the fi rebox. Place small dry pieces
of kindling on top of the paper, criss-crossing the
kindling so that there are air spaces in between.
Keep the fuel far back enough so that air can
get underneath.

Step 2. Open the air control fully and pull the
by-pass damper control towards you to put it
in the OPEN position. Light the newspaper.
Leave the door open until the fi re is well es­tablished.

Step 3. Once the kindling fi re is well estab­lished, add increasingly larger pieces of cord­wood until the fi re is actively burning. Close the
door and maintain an accelerated combustion
air set up in order to achieve combustor light-off
conditions.

Step 4. When the fi re is burning well, close the
by-pass damper control by pushing the control
rod in. It takes about 15 – 30 minutes with
the by-pass opened to reach proper light-off
temperatures for the catalytic combustor.

Step 5. Set the air control at the desired set­ting.

The unit will burn best with 2-3 pieces of cord­wood spaced 1 to 2 inches apart and allowing
air to get under the fuel. Criss-crossing or ar­ranging the fuel so that air can get underneath,
will help the fi re get started easily.

Refuelling for Best Performance
(see Figure 5)

To refuel the WRT4826WH fi replace at the end
of a burn cycle when only hot embers remain and
fl ames are gone (not enough heat to maintain
catalyst operating temperatures):

Step 1. Open the by-pass and air controls

fully.

Step 2. Open the door approximately 1 inch

and wait fi ve seconds until the draft is
stable. Then open the door completely,
load the fuel and close the door.

Figure 3

For instance, a long chimney will necessitate
closing the damper more. To obtain the proper
combustion, close the damper completely, then
open it about 1/2 to 3/4. Three medium size
pieces of wood should be burning on a bed of
hot coals. The heat output will be approximately
35,000 BTU per hour and the loading time will
be about every 3-4 hours. Softwoods may be
burned using this method but the time will be
substantially reduced.

Closed

Open

Figure 5

5

NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.

Step 3. Keep the combustion air damper and

the by-pass damper opened for 10 minutes
before closing it. It will ensure suffi cient tem­peratures for combustor light-off.

To refuel the WRT4826WH fi replace when the
unit is still hot (Some burning fuel remaining
or a glowing combustor)

Step 1. Open the by-pass and air controls

fully.

Step 2. Open the door approximately 1 inch,

wait fi ve seconds until the draft is stable and
then open it completely. Load the fuel, close
the door and by-pass (temperatures within the
fi rebox should be enough to maintain catalytic
operation).

REFUELING: During the refueling and
rekindling of a cool fi re, or a fi re that has
burned down to the charcoal phase, operate
the stove at a medium to high fi ring rate for
about 10 minutes to ensure that the catalyst
reaches approximately 600°F.

Smoking – Causes and Troubleshooting

To reduce the likelihood of smoking when
opening the doors, set the air damper to the
“accelerated combustion” position and open
the by-pass damper before opening the doors.
Your fi replace has been designed and tested to
provide smoke free operation. Occasionally,
there may be a small amount of smoking upon
lighting the fi re, until the chimney heats up but
this should not continue. If the fi replace does
continue to smoke, it is probably for one of the
following reasons:
A. The door is partly open - Open the door

fully.

B. Negative pressure in the house - As the

fi re burns, air goes up the chimney. This
air must be replaced through leakage into
the house or through the outside air duct.
When operating the WRT4826WH fi replace,
open a nearby window temporarily to check
if there is adequate air replacement.

C. Fans operating (e.g. range hood) - These

fans draw air out of the house and may
actually cause a negative pressure in the
house. Turn off all fans and open a nearby
window to determine if this is the cause of
the problem.

D. Wet wood - Wet or tarred wood will smoul-

der and smoke instead of burning properly.

Your dealer can help you determine if you
have properly seasoned wood for burning.

E. Dirty or blocked chimney - Check to make

sure the chimney is clear and reasonably

If dirty call a certifi ed chimney sweep

clean.

or use a properly sized chimney brush to
clean.

F. Chimney not long enough - The minimum

chimney height is 12 feet, not including the
fi replace height. The chimney must extend
at least 3 feet (915 mm) above its point of
contact with the roof and at least 2 feet (610
mm) higher than any roof or wall within 10
feet (3 m) of it.

6

G. Poor chimney draft - With no fi re, there

should be suffi cient draft to exhaust cigarette
smoke introduced under the baffl e. Chim­neys installed against an outside wall without
protection may generate back draft problems
which will cause start-up problems. To
prevent this, open a nearby window, roll up
a piece of paper and light it.

Then, hold it in the upper part of the fi rebox
to warm up the chimney. Wait until the draft
is suffi cient, then start the fi re.

H. Blower for forced air kit operating - Make

sure that the blower is at the “off” position
when you open the fi replace door for reload­ing.

IMPORTANT CAUTIONS

A. Do not block the hot air vents to the fi re-

place as this will cause the fi replace to
overheat.

B. Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern

fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fl uid, or
similar liquids to start or ‘freshen up’ a fi re
in this fi replace. Keep all such liquids well
away from the fi replace while it is in use.

C. Do not burn coal. The sulphur in coal will

corrode the fi rebox and chimney.

D. Do not burn driftwood which has been in the

ocean or salt water. The salt will corrode
the fi rebox and chimney.

E. Do not operate the unit with the door partly

open since this may cause smoke to be
drawn into the room.

F. Do not burn wood in the area in front of the

log retainers.

G. Do not abuse the unit by burning paper, or

cardboard or construction material such as
pressed wood, plywood or lumber.

H. Do not allow the wood to smoulder or burn

without fl ame, since this will produce exces­sive creosote in the unit as well as increased

particulate emissions.

Smoke Detectors Recommended

Since there are always several potential sources
of fi re in any home, we recommend installing
smoke detectors. If possible, install the smoke
detector in a hallway adjacent to the room
(to reduce the possibility of occasional false
activation from the heat produced by these
appliances). If your local code requires a smoke
detector be installed within the same room, you
must follow the requirements of your local code.
Check with your local building department for
requirements in your area.

Carbon Monoxide Monitor Recommended

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of

carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the fl u
with headaches, dizziness and/or nausea. If you
have these signs, obtain fresh air immediately.
Some people are more affected by carbon mon­oxide than others, including pregnant women,
people with heart or lung disease or anemia,
those under the infl uence of alcohol, and those
at high altitudes.

It is against federal regulations to operate
wood heaters in a manner inconsistent with
operating instructions in the manual.

Dealing With A Chimney Fire

Regular chimney maintenance and inspection
can prevent chimney fi res. If you have a chimney
fi re, follow these steps:

1. Close the fi replace doors and the combus­tion air damper.

2. Alert your family of the possible danger.

3. If you require assistance, alert your fi re
department.

4. If possible, use a dry chemical fi re extin­guisher, baking soda or sand to control the
fi re. Do not use water as it may cause a
dangerous steam explosion.

5. Check outside to ensure that sparks and hot
embers coming out of the chimney are not
igniting the roof.

6. Do not use the fi replace again until your
chimney and fi replace have been inspected
by a qualifi ed chimney sweep or a Fire
Department Inspector.

Achieving Clean Burns

Check the exhaust in about 15 to 20 minutes
(see below). Large amounts of smoke indicate
an improper burn setting (either too high or too
low). Adjust and recheck in 5 to 10 minutes.

OK

What does “Well-Seasoned” mean?

When a tree is cut down, the wood is green,
full of sap and moisture. This moisture content
can exceed 80%, which must be reduced to
less than 20%. Wood properly seasoned is
then capable of generating the heat the stove
was designed to provide.

Green wood does not burn easily. Attempting to
burn green wood often results in a lot of smoke
and very little fi re. Time is the most important
factor in seasoning wood. Ideally the moisture
content should be reduced to 11-20%. NOTE:

The use of a fi rewood moisture meter is rec­ommended to ensure the fi rewood contains
less than 20% moisture.

Seasoning Guide

Softwoods - 6 months to 18 months
Hardwoods - 12 months to 24 months

Logs that are 5” diameter across or larger should
be split in half, three pieces if over 8 inches, and
four pieces when over a foot across. If a tree
has been dead for 2 - 4 years it still needs to
be cut, split, and seasoned for 6 to 24 months
depending on the wood.

Standard

8 Ft.

8'

(2.4M)

Cord of
Wood

4 Ft.

(1.2M)

4 Ft. (1.2M)

4'

4'

Prohibited Fuels

This heater is designed to burn natural wood
only. Higher effi ciencies and lower emissions
generally result when burning air dried seasoned
hardwoods, as compared to softwoods or to
green or freshly cut hardwoods. DO NOT BURN:

• Garbage;

• Lawn clippings or yard waste;

• Materials containing rubber, including tires;

• Materials containing plastic;

• Waste petroleum products, paints or paint
thinners, or asphalt products;

• Materials containing asbestos;

• Construction or demolition debris;

• Railroad ties or pressure-treated wood;

• Manure or animal remains;

• Salt water driftwood or other previously salt
water saturated materials;

• Unseasoned wood;

• Christmas tree branches;

• Paper products, colored paper, cardboard,
plywood, or particleboard;

• gasoline;

• naphtha;

• engine oil;

• fl ammable liquids;

• solvents;

• grease; or

• coal

The prohibition against burning these materials
does not prohibit the use of fi re starters made
from paper, cardboard, saw dust, wax and
similar substances for the purpose of starting
a fi re in an affected wood heater.

Burning these materials may result in release of
toxic fumes or render the heater ineffective and
cause smoke.
may overheat the fi replace, causing damage
to the unit, a fi re or even possibly igniting
a chimney fi re if the chimney is creosoted.
Burning unapproved fuel, resulting in excessive
pollutants being emitted, may be prohibited and
subject to a fi ne or other penalty by the authority
having jurisdiction in your area.

Intense fi ring with these materials

MAINTAINING YOUR FIREPLACE

Have your product inspected at least once
a year by a qualifi ed service technician to
ensure gaskets, air tubes, baffl es, and vent­ing are in good repair to ensure proper per­formance. Have degraded items replaced
by a qualifi ed service technician.

This wood heater contains a catalytic com­bustor, which needs periodic inspection and
replacement for proper operation. It is against
federal regulations to operate this wood heater
in a manner inconsistent with operating instruc­tions in this manual, or if the catalytic element

is deactivated or removed.

Creosote

When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar
and other organic vapors which combine with
expelled moisture to form a black deposit called
creosote which accumulates on the fl ue lining.
When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely
hot fi re. If the creosote accumulation is large,
a creosote fi re in the chimney can damage the
chimney and overheat the surrounding wood
framing. Creosote formation in a chimney can
be minimized by making small hot fi res rather
than slow burning, smouldering fi res and by
proper refuelling techniques.

Chimney Maintenance

Regular chimney inspection and maintenance
combined with proper operation will prevent
chimney fi res. Keep your chimney clean. Do not
allow more than 1/16" creosote build up in your
chimney. The amount of creosote will depend
on variables such as frequency of use and type
of fi re. We recommend that you:

1. Initially inspect the chimney system weekly.

From this, you will learn how often it will
be necessary to clean your chimney.

2. Have your chimney cleaned by a qualifi ed

chimney sweep. If you wish to clean it
yourself, we recommend using a stiff plastic
or non-metallic brush. If a metal brush is
used, its size should be slightly smaller than
the fl ue to avoid damaging the chimney.
Do not use a brush that will scratch the
stainless steel interior of the chimney.

3. Do not expect chemical cleaners to keep

your chimney clean. The rain cap can be
removed for inspection and/or cleaning of
the chimney. Using gloves, fi rmly grip the
lower portion of the rain cap. Turn the cap
1/8 of a turn counter-clockwise and lift it
off the chimney.

Before performing chimney sweep, open

the by-pass and remove the combustor.
Remove dust accumulation after chimney
sweep and put the combustor back in place.

Catalytic Combustor

The WRT4826WH fi replace is designed with a
catalytic combustor which will reduce pollution
emissions and creosote build up while improv­ing thermal effi ciency. In order to optimize
and maintain the combustor performance, it
is important to visually check the combustor
at least 3 times during the heating season to
determine if physical degradation has occurred.

Catalytic combustors require little maintenance.
Cleaning the combustor once a year, preferably
when your fl ue system is serviced, is suffi cient
for most users.

WARNING

To prevent damage to your com­bustor, do not:

• Drop the combustor (which is
fragile compared to the rest
of the unit – so handle with
care)

•

Run water or compressed air
through the combustor

• Try to clean the combustor
with any sharp tool

The combustor supplied with this heater is a
Applied Ceramics, Inc., Long Life Combus­tor. Consult the catalytic combustor war­ranty also supplied with this wood heater.
Warranty claims should be addressed to:

Applied Ceramics, Inc.

5555 Pleasantdale Rd

Doraville, GA 30340

Phone # [phone]

The packaging of the combustor must be
robust enough to protect against any ship­ping damage that may occur.

7

combustor.

3. Remove fl y ashes on the combustor using

ROTATE

ROTATE

a soft brush.

4. Put the combustor back in place.

Catalyst Monitoring

ROTATE

Figure 6

Cleaning Procedure (see Figure 6):

1. Rotate the retainers to release the combus­tor support plate while holding it to make
sure it does not drop.

2. Rotate the support plate and remove the

Catalyst Troubleshooting — Problems, Causes and Solutions

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO

Crumbling Substrate
(See Photo #1)

Fly-Ash Build-up
(See Photo #2)

Fly-Ash Masking
(See Photo #5)

Fly-ash Plugging
(See Photo #6)

Thermal Cracking
(See Photo #3)

Mechanical Cracks
(See Photo #4)

Creosote Plugging
(See Photo #7)

Masking (Soot)
(See Photo #8)

Flame impingement

Flames contacting combustor

Flame impingment

High draft

Combustor has not maintained light-off tempera­ture.

Combustor has not maintained light-off tempera­ture.

Burning materials that produce a lot of char and
fl y-ash.

Closing the bypass too soon.

Thermal Shock

Moisture, wet logs

Uneven temperatures and heat spikes.

Burning appliance with the door open.

Combustor mishandled or abused.

Distortion of combustor holder.

Burning wet, pitchy woods or burning large loads
of small diameter wood with the combustor in the
operating position without light-off ever occurring.

Combustor has not maintained a light-off.

Burning coal will cause a sulfur-based compound
to coat the catalyst.

It is important to periodically monitor the
operation of the catalytic combustor to ensure
that it is functioning properly and to determine
when it needs to be replaced. A non-functioning
combustor will result in a loss of heating ef­fi ciency, and an increase in creosote and emis­sions. Following is a list of items that should
be checked on a periodic basis:

• Combustors should be visually inspected at
least three times during the heating season
to determine if physical degradation has
occurred. Actual removal of the combustor

Reduce air volume to logs; don't overload wood box.

Bypass combustor when the appliance is running in high-fi re mode.

Lower fl ames by reducing air to logs. Use less logs in the fi rebox.

Do not exceed .06" of water draft. Install a manual damper and draft
gauge or a barometric damper.

Brush cold combustor with a soft bristled brush or vacuum lightly.

Brush cold combustor with a soft bristled brush or vacuum lightly.

Do not burn cardboard, gift wrap or garbage.
Follow instructions for proper light-off.

Burn dry, seasoned logs only.

If cracking causes large pieces to fall out, replace the combustor.

Check appliance for air leaks.

Handle combustor with care. Replace if necessary.

Replace combustor if large pieces are missing, replace any warped
appliance parts as well.

Check appliance for air leaks.

Burn dried seasoned wood. Make sure combustor has light-off before
closing the bypass damper. It may be possible to burn the soot or creosote
accumulation off by putting the combustor in a partially open and partially
closed position after a hot fi re has been started. Burn hardwoods.

Place combustor in a partially open and partially closed position after a
hot fi re has been started to burn off the soot accumulation.

Revert to burning wood and fi re the combustor to elevated temperatures
for one hour.

is not recommended unless more detailed
inspection is warranted because of decreased
performance. If any of these conditions exists,
refer to Catalyst Troubleshooting section of
this owner's manual.

• This catalytic heater is equipped with a tem­perature probe to monitor catalyst operation.
Properly functioning combustors typically
maintain temperatures in excess of 500°F, and
often reach temperatures in excess of 1,000°F.
If catalyst temperatures are not in excess
of 500°F, refer to Catalyst Troubleshooting
section of this owner's manual.

• You can get an indication of whether the cata­lyst is working by comparing the amount of
smoke leaving the chimney when the smoke
is going through the combustor and catalyst
light-off has been achieved, to the amount of
smoke leaving the chimney when the smoke
is not routed through the combustor (bypass

mode).

8

Photo #1 Crumbling

Photo #2 Fly-Ash

NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.

Photo #3 Thermal Cracks

Photo #4 Mechanical Cracks

Photo #5 Fly-Ash Masking

Photo #6 Fly-Ash

Refractory Replacement

Photo #7 Creosote Plugging

Photo #8 Soot Masking

These conditions are primarily related to
such factors as draft, aging or failure of the
appliance components, aging or fatigue of
the combustor, fl ue installation, using the
wrong fuel or to improper operation of the
appliance. Following the appliance's oper­ating manual will prevent these conditions.

The intense heat of the fi re will normally cause
hairline cracks in the refractory. These cracks
can be minimized by proper curing as described
in “First Fires”. They will not normally dimin­ish the effectiveness of the refractory. If large
cracks develop, then the refractory should be
replaced. To replace the refractory bricks, follow

these steps (see Figure 7):

1. Remove the front refractory

2. Remove the bottom refractory

3. Remove the left side refractory

4. Remove the right side refractory

5. Remove the back refractory

To install the new refractories, follow the above
steps in reverse.

Door Frame Care

Use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to polish
the frame. Do not use abrasives such as steel
wool or steel pads for they may scratch the
door frame fi nish.

Ashes

Whenever ashes get 3 to 4 inches deep in your
fi rebox, and when the fi re has burned down and
cooled, remove excess ashes. Leave an ash bed
approximately 1 inch deep on the fi rebox bottom
to help maintain a hot charcoal bed.

Remove ashes only when the fi re is out and the
ashes are cold (24 to 48 hours after the fi re is
out) Open the bottom louver and the doors,
lift the door trap lever, remove the plug on the
door trap of the ashtray using gloves or a poker.
Sweep the ashes in the opening with a brush or
any similar tool. Reinstall the plug on the door
trap and pull down the lever.

Figure 7

Do not leave the ashes in the house as they give

1. Front Refractory

2. Bottom Refractory

3. Left Side Refractory

4. Right Side Refractory

5. Back Refractory

off carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.

WARNING

Disposal of Ashes: Ashes should
be placed in a steel container
with a tight fi tting lid and moved

5

4

outdoors immediately. The
closed container of ashes should
be placed on a non-combustible
fl oor or on the ground well away
from all combustible materials,
pending fi nal disposal. If the
ashes are disposed of by burial
in soil or otherwise locally dis­persed, they should be retained
in the closed container until all

3

2

NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.

1

cinders have thoroughly cooled.

9