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Chimney Fan

1. OVERVIEW

A. WHAT IS A CHIMNEY FAN?

A chimney fan is an electric fan. It is mounted on the chimney and ensures that your stove gets enough air to burn cleanly and seamlessly throughout the day. The chimney fan creates a negative pressure in the chimney, which eradicates the problems you may encounter when burning solid fuel.

B. HOW DOES A CHIMNEY FAN WORK?

A chimney fan creates a negative pressure in the chimney.
When you turn on your chimney fan, a draft is created in the chimney so that the fire burns clean and smoke-free.

C. WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD THE TERM CHIMNEY FAN?

The mechanical chimney fan solution is actually a 50 year old invention – and is already found on some chimneys around the world. But the solution is not made to be visible – but to be effective. Therefore, most often you do not notice that a chimney has a chimney fan fitted.
An analysis shows that every 4th household with a wood burning stove has problems with lighting and smoke in the living room. Unfortunately, it is often something that you live with – or completely abandon. With a chimney fan, the problem is solved once and for all.

D. WHERE IS THE CHIMNEY FAN LOCATED?

A chimney fan sits on top of the chimney and ensures proper draft for the stove or fireplace insert.
The chimney fan is electric and controlled from inside the housing via a control or remote control.

E. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A NATURAL DRAUGHT IN THE CHIMNEY?

The natural feature of the chimney varies throughout the year as temperatures, wind conditions and humidity change. This can have a major impact on your stove and fireplace as the fireplace will typically work better in some weather conditions than others. An exodraft chimney fan ensures that you always have optimal chimney draft, regardless of the wind and weather, so that lighting and re-firing become a breeze. Every time.
The chimney fan is either running at full speed or it is off. If the draft during operation (in a heated chimney) becomes too large, you can switch off your chimney fan.
Chimney fans are designed so that the flue gases can escape – even if it is switched off. It therefore does not act as a “plug” but as an extension of the chimney.

F. CAN A CHIMNEY FAN REPLACE A TALL CHIMNEY?

Instead of extending your chimney to improve the draft – in most cases you can install a chimney fan instead.
The chimney fan sends the smoke up into the air and keeps flue gases and particles away from the roof and your neighbor.
With a chimney fan you therefore avoid a high and frightening chimney.

G. DOES A CHIMNEY FAN NOT SIMPLY EXPEL ALL THE HEAT FROM MY STOVE TO THE OUTDOORS?

No. A chimney fan simply creates a feature similar to the feature of a well-functioning chimney.

H. CAN'T I USE A WIND POWERED REVOLVING CHIMNEY COWL INSTEAD?

It is true that a wind powered chimney cowl can alleviate some of the problems – but only if it blows enough for it to turn properly – and typically you actually see the biggest problems in heavy winds.
The price difference of a wind powered chimney cowl and a chimney fan is approx. DKK 5,000, so the question is whether you want something that always minimizes the problem (chimney fan), or something that only works when wind and weather allow it (wind powered chimney cowl).

I. CAN I USE MY CRAFTSMAN DEDUCTION?

Yes. If you get an installer to mount your chimney fan, you can avail your craftsman’s deduction.

2. INSTALLATION

A. CAN I INSTALL THE CHIMNEY FAN MYSELF?

A chimney fan must be supplied with power. When used outdoors, it is a requirement that you get an approved installer to connect the power. You are able to install the chimney fan yourself on your chimney.

B. WHERE CAN I USE A CHIMNEY FAN?

On any chimney with insufficient draught – both brick chimneys and steel chimneys.

C. WHICH TYPES OF STOVES CAN A CHIMNEY FAN BE USED FOR?

Chimney fans can be installed in connection with both closed and open stoves.

D. HOW DO I LEAD THE CORD FROM MY CHIMNEY FAN TO AN OUTLET?

Basically, there are two options: The first is to insert the cord from the chimney fan under the chimney collar / cover. Most chimneys have a metal collar where the chimney meets the roof (typically covered with putty), and here the cord can be passed to the house. Another solution is to run the wire down the roof, under the lower tile row and into the house.
For aesthetic reasons, it is recommended to attach the cord to the chimney side with mounting brackets (and possibly in a pipe) so that it is less conspicuous from the ground.

E. MY CHIMNEY TOP HAS A SQUARE HOLE - WHAT DO I DO?

A chimney fan is available in both round and square versions, so it is almost always possible to find one that fits. We also have different sizes of flanges as accessories.

F. CAN A CHIMNEY FAN BE USED WITH A BRICK CHIMNEY?

Yes. A chimney fan can be used for both steel chimneys and brick chimneys. For a square chimney, a chimney fan type RSV is recommended.

3. USE AND MAINTENANCE

A. CAN I TURN OFF MY CHIMNEY FAN ONCE FIRE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE STOVE?

Most models of chimney fan should run at least 10% as long as there is some heat in the chimney. The control ensures that the chimney fan cannot be switched off before the temperature allows.

B. HOW EASY IS A CHIMNEY FAN TO MAINTAIN?

A chimney fan should be inspected at least twice a year in connection with the chimney inspection. Soot and other deposits must be removed from the rotor blades and bottom of the engine housing.
In order to extend the service life of the engine, it is necessary to switch on the chimney fan at regular intervals – even outside the heating season.

C. DO I NEED TO CLEAN MY CHIMNEY FAN?

It is mandatory to have the chimney swept by a chimney sweeper, but the chimney sweeper is not required by law to clean the chimney fan.
Therefore, it is up to you to make sure that the chimney fan is cleaned at least once a year, so that you can keep the chimney vent free.
It is extremely important to keep your chimney fan free of soot and deposits. Soot is the primary cause of chimney fires.
The cleaning intervals depend on the use of the fireplace and the chimney fan. Frequent use requires frequent cleaning.
Regular use of the fireplace (2-3 times a week) may require frequent cleaning of your chimney fan (2-3 times a year or more).
If the fireplace is used every day, shorter cleaning intervals may be necessary.
No matter how much the fireplace is used, the chimney fan must be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
A chimney fan keeps birds and debris out of the chimney so they can’t clog it.

D. DOES THE CHIMNEY SWEEPER HAVE ACCESS TO MY CHIMNEY WITH A CHIMNEY FAN?

Yes. The chimney fan can be opened so access to the chimney is easy. When the chimney sweeper finishes his work, he simply closes the lid of your chimney fan.

E. WHAT HAPPENS IN STORMY WEATHER?

A properly installed chimney fan can not fall down, even in stormy weather.
The weight of the chimney fan itself, as well as fittings or a flange, keep the chimney fan in place on top of the chimney.
When properly installed, your chimney fan cannot fall off, even when opened during cleaning and maintenance.

F. CAN A CHIMNEY FAN BE USED WITH COKE AND COAL?

No. A chimney fan has been developed for ordinary wood burning stoves where fires or wood briquettes are fired.

G. HOW DOES THE CHIMNEY FAN HOLD UP IN THE EVENT OF A CHIMNEY FIRE?

A chimney fan is resistant to high temperatures, but of course there is a limit to how much heat it can withstand. If the chimney fire is severe – the chimney fan cannot survive this either.

4. TECHNICAL DATA

A. WHAT IS THE POWER CONSUMPTION OF A CHIMNEY FAN?

Around 40 to 60 watts at full load – and much less when running at low speeds.

B. IS A CHIMNEY FAN NOISY?

The fan design is effectively balanced with high quality ball bearings and has a very low noise level.
You can still hear a quiet whisper because of the air itself moving through the flue.

5. TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR CHIMNEY FAN

A. THE CHIMNEY FAN IS NOT RECEIVING POWER

Problem:
• The switch is off
• Poor electrical connections

Solution:
• Check the switch
• Check and correct the problem

B. THE CHIMNEY FAN IS HOOKED UP BUT NOT RUNNING

Problem:
• Poor electrical connections

Solution:
• Check and correct connection problems

C. THE CHIMNEY FAN IS HOOKED UP, BUT MAKING A HUMMING NOISE AND IS NOT SPINNING

Problem:
• Soot can block your chimney fan

Solution:
• Clean your chimney fan

D. THE CHIMNEY FAN SEEMS TO BE WORKING, BUT THE DRAUGHT IS LACKING

Problem:
• Your chimney fan may be too small – or the chimney is somehow blocked

Solution:
• Replace your chimney fan with a larger model in our chimney fan range. Check that the chimney is not blocked.

E. MY CHIMNEY FAN IS VIBRATING

Problem:
• The motor shaft may be bent – or the wings skewed or unevenly affected by soot

Solution:
• Replace your chimney fan

F. THE FLOW OF AIR AT THE STOVE OR FIREPLACE OPENING IS AUDIBLE

Problem:
• The inside diameter of the chimney pipe is too small

Solution:
• There is not much to do about it. If necessary, try reducing the fireplace opening

G. MECHANICAL NOISE CAN BE HEARD

Problem:
• Foreign objects may get stuck
• The motor bearings may be worn

Solution:
• Remove foreign matter
• Replace your chimney fan

H. MY WOOD-BURNING STOVE HAS STARTED TO SMOKE

You haven’t had problems with your stove before, but maybe something new has happened:
• Have you purchased a new stove?
• Have you purchased a new, efficient hood?
• Do you have a ventilation system?
• Is there something about the house that has been raised – for example, a neighbor’s tree, a higher roof ridge, a new attic?

Solution:
Turbulence around the chimney or a new, ultra-efficient wood-burning stove can cause problems, as it will only release limited heat into the chimney. But all the problems can be solved once and for all with a chimney fan.