vented space heater question

Plumdog_2

It could have a gas leak around the pilot tube or something. Better get a pro to have look at it.

Mike AK

vented space heater

Hello:

I have a stand-alone fireplace-style Aladdin vented heater in our living room that in cold weather often runs 16-24 hours a day (our 50-some-year-old steam boiler is quite inefficient, so this actually works as a major supplement). We just moved into the house last year, but it was installed in 2000.

Here is the problem: at a spot where the flame is high in the combustion chamber, an odd black stalactite has formed, hanging from the ceiling of the combustion chamber. It is completely black, and looks indeed like a stalctite in a cave. It has been there for a while, I think, but has definitely grown, and last night part of it broke off and fell.

My guess is that the heat exchanger is breaking down, but I don't really know. My questions: 1) is this a safety hazard, and should I turn the heater off until it is fixed? 2) is it possible to get it fixed, or am I in for a new space heater? Or is it not a major problem?

Thanks for any help.

Mike

jp_2

tough call

not sure anyone will say much without looking at it?

call in someone whose knows, use find a pro on this site.

if in doubt, don't use it!

JackFre

Not sure what an \"Aladdin\" style

unit is but my suggestion would be to get a service call going on it and,... right now, get up from the computer and go get yourself a CO detector. Sounds like you may have flame impingement. That is one of the conditions that can lead to the formation of CO.

Bill_49

Picture

Send a picture of this unit with your message.

Bill

Mike AK

Here's a couple pics

Here is a picture of the stove. Aladdin is the brand name (although I searched on the web for this brand name this morning and found nothing, so they may be out of business or have a new name).

The second picture is of the inside of the stove. It is hard to see here, but the dark black spot on the top of the combustion chamber comes out slightly from the metal surface of ceiling of the chamber. Last night, the stalactite hung down maybe two inches from that spot, but then broke off. It does look like soot, as someone suggested, although it seems like that would be a lot of soot.

I do, thankfully, have a CO detector, and am not running the stove now. Any feedback would be helpful, but I will take the advice of several of you and call a pro, too. Thanks,

Mike

Dale

soot

thanks for the picture, yes it's soot. When you said gas is it nat or LP. either way there's not enough air and the flames aren't what they could be. Firepalces are funny in that the yellow flame is desired, just not too much, the unit can be adjusted to burn cleaner. If you are using the unit 24/7 make sure it's heater rated and can legally use a thermostat. Some are not made to be unattended and used like a true space heater. With the soot inside the vent is probably in need of a cleaning too. If you plan to use this like a space heater have the pro adjust it to a less yellow flame and make sure the vent is still safe.

Bill_49

Venting

Nice looking stove, were is it vented, in the wall or up to the roof.
There is a place somewere in Hazleton,Pa. that sells these stoves. I can't remember right off hand, I'll bet they can help you.

Bill

Mark Hunt

Do not


use that again until you have someone perform a test with digital combustion testing equipment.

I see the soot, and that is a bad sign. But I also see signs of flame impingement and that is worse.

Where are you located?

Mark H

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Mike AK

What is flame impingement?

I think I understand why soot indicates a problem, but I'm not sure what flame impingement means.

I'm in Davenport, Iowa--and it seems most of this board is out east. It may be tough to find someone who knows much about these, but I'll give it my best.

The stove is vented in the back. I had assumed it was not direct vented, since it is not actually up against a wall, but after looking on the web, I saw a number of stoves that looked very similar that were direct vented, so perhaps it is. The previous owners installed a couple of these in the house, and although I was unenthusiastic about them when we moved in, I actually like them quite a bit--so I'm hoping somebody can fix this for us (a new one is pretty pricey, too--$1000-$1500).

Thanks all,

Mike

Mark Hunt

Flame impingement


is when the flame hits something. Now your logs are supposed to be hit by the flame and as long as they are alligned correctly the combustion will be relatively clean.

What I see in the "inside" picture is signs that he flames are hitting something else. Impingement will cause incomplete combustion, the flame is hitting a "cooler" surface. This lowers the flame temp and creates incomplete combustion. Carbon Monioxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion.

Something is wrong with the combustion in your gas log. I am SOOO gald that it is vented, but that does not mean that you are 100% safe. Sorry to tell you but, that CO alarm you have will NOT protect you.

Take this link to see if you can locate a certified contractor in your area. These guys are trained by the best. If there is no-one listed, let me know and I will help you find one.

Till then, leave the gas log off.

Mark H

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Mike AK

Thanks...

Mark and others:

I couldn't find a technician on that website, but I did find a local company that used to sell Aladdin stoves (they must be out of business), and they will service the stove. Thanks for your help!

Mike