From: <steve@cdonsite.com>
To: "Norbert_Senf \(Norbert_Senf\)" <mheat@mha-net.org>
Subject: Heater Maintenance
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 10:12:45 -0400

Norbert,
Greetings from Ohio. We are now going into our fourth year with our heaters and we still love them. With the exception of a few days for convenience, we are heating our home solely with the fireplace heaters. I do have one question. Is it necessary to sweep the chimney? We have cleaned out the fireplace and channels each year but have not cleaned out the chimney as we thought that the fires were hot enough to burn all the combustibles and hence not have a creosote buildup to worry about. I have noticed that we do have a powdery carbon buildup on the channel walls and ceiling and do not know if this presents a problem.
 
Thanks for your assistance. I hope you and your business are still doing well.
 
Steve Finlayson
Computer Directions Onsite
Productivity through Training, Support and Solutions
101 Rose Dr, Granville, OH 43023-1062

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Hi Steve:

Normally, chimney cleaning shouldn't be necessary. It is a good idea to inspect the chimney yearly, just to be sure. Normally, there will be a light soot deposit (1/16" or less), which is nothing to worry about.

The heater base channels do get a fine layer of fly ash mixed with a bit of soot. This is not a problem unless there is a buildup - you can get a "pellet stove brush" which allows you to get in there and sweep them -- this will improve heat transfer slightly.

There will be a small buildup of fly ash and soot on the floor of the channels - this should be vacuumed out with a shop vac with fine particulate filter, or central vac, every two or three years.

Do you mind if I add your comments as feedback to your project info that is on our "current projects" page?

Best .... Norbert

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From: <steve@cdonsite.com>
To: "'Norbert Senf'" <mheat@mha-net.org>
Subject: RE: Heater Maintenance
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 11:29:10 -0400

Thanks for the reply - no we do not mind. I would love to tell all about how
happy we are.
Thanks again

Steve Finlayson
Computer Directions Onsite
Productivity through Training, Support and Solutions
101 Rose Dr, Granville, OH 43023-1062