This chart offers a convenient way to find information on common problems with wood heat systems. Hyperlinks (red roman numerals) in the Solutions boxes (right column) are to information pages on woodheat.org. See the list of articles at the end of the chart.
| Symptom/Complaint | Likely Causes | Solutions |
| Dirty glass (1) |
Turning down too much Turning down too early |
Fire new load hot until the firebox is full of flames Don’t try to conserve flue gas heat loss (viii) |
| Dirty glass (2) | Wet wood | Split wood smaller, load crisscross, don’t turn down; be better prepared next year (vi) |
| Dirty glass (3) | Trying to burn continuously in mild weather |
Be prepared to light one fire each day when temperature is above 0°C Don’t try turning down to reduce heat |
| Dirty glass (4) (streaks) | Leaking door and glass gaskets | Replace gaskets (xiii) |
| Inadequate heat (1) | Wet wood | Split wood smaller, load crisscross, don’t turn down; be better prepared next year (x) |
| Inadequate heat (2) |
Fear of big hot fires Turning down too early |
Fire new load hot until firebox is full of flames, then only reduce air so that flames slow down a bit (viii) |
| Inadequate heat (3) | Excessive charcoal build up in cold weather (non-cats especially) | Rake coals and put one split piece east-west on row of coals; fire hard, repeat (xii) |
| Inadequate heat (4) | Trying to preserve flue gas heat |
Fire until firebox is full of flame. The chimney needs heat, so give it freely. (i)
|
| Inadequate heat (5) | Low draft and excessive charcoal build up due to venting system leak | Check venting system for leaks; seal it |
| Inadequate heat (6) | Excessive ash build up | Remove ash more frequently (vi) |
| Short burn times (1) | Not stoking properly | Use more aggressive loading techniques (viii) |
| Short burn times (2) |
High draft due to tall chimney and cold weather, mainly with non-cats. (i.e., The Florida Bungalow Syndrome) |
See if air control can be adjusted, or secondary air limited; only in extreme cases resort to key damper (v) |
| Short burn times (3) |
Refuelling at start of charcoal phase Not including charcoal phase as part of burn cycle |
Provide information on what a burn cycle is and what to expect (viii) |
| Stove doesn’t perform as expected (1) | Unrealistic expectations of heat output, heating capacity | Consider purchase expectations; compare to heater selection, climate and housing type (xi) |
| Stove doesn’t perform as expected (2) | Misled by bad advice and specific flue pipe or stove thermometer readings | Ignore thermometer and bad advice; learn about visual cues (vii) (viii) |
| Smoke rollout when loading (1) |
Smouldering fire Door opened too quickly Warm weather Not burning in cycles (do not load during flame phase) |
Information on: how fire should look how to open the door without spillage how to burn in cycles (vi) |
| Smoke rollout when loading (2) | Restrictive venting system with too many elbows/changes in direction and horizontal runs |
Replace 90 degree flue pipe elbows with 45s Replace outside chimney with inside (xiv) |
| Smoke rollout when loading (3) | Upgraded to EPA stove connected to a marginal venting system | Point out that the new firebox is more restrictive; suggest upgrade to venting (i) |
| Cold backdraft at standby (1) | Chimney runs up outside of house |
Re-install chimney inside |
| Cold backdraft at standby (2) | Chimney penetrates envelope below highest level |
Re-install chimney so it penetrates highest heated level |
| Appliance puffs smoke in windy weather (1) |
No chimney cap Ineffective chimney cap |
Install a proper chimney cap (iv) |
| Appliances puffs smoke in windy weather (2) | House is leaky or open windows on downwind side | Describe how house can be depressurized by wind acting on leaks; seal leaks, keep windows closed (iv) |
| Air circulation fan doesn’t come on or blows cold air (1) | Fan switch is not in the right position or switch is faulty | Place switch in the correct position or replace switch |
| Air circulation fan doesn’t come on or blows cold air (2) | Fan switch is being swept with cold air | Seal leaks, or move the switch closer to heater body |
| Air circulation fan doesn’t come on or blows cold air (3) | Manual override is set to on or off | Check manual override switch |
References/Resources
(i) All About Chimneys (general concepts)
(ii) The Evil Outside Chimney (detailed essay on why outside chimneys are bad)
(iii) How Chimneys Work (details on chimney physics; chimney height and temp chart)
(iv) How Wind Affects Chimney Performance (insights for diagnosing wind related failure)
(v) The Florida Bungalow Syndrome (why non-cats connected to tall chimneys overfire in cold weather)
(vi) A Huge List of Proven Tips (on firewood, fire kindling, and fire maintenance)
(vii) Do you need a flue pipe thermometer? (probably not)
(viii) How to Build and Maintain a Wood Fire (fire in cycles, coalbed raking, etc)
(ix) Five Ways to Control Heat Output (in mild weather)
(x) Good Firewood (includes tips on how to judge firewood moisture)
(xi) How to Buy the Right Wood Stove (tips on sizing)
(xii) Too Much Charcoal? (how to reduce big coal beds in cold weather)
(xiii) Maintenance of Modern Stoves (replacing door, glass gaskets)
(xiv) 10 Steps to Perfection (characteristics of successful wood heating systems)
Developed by John Gulland for Urban Hearth