Valley Comfort Systems MP80, Installation And Operation Manual

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WHAT KIND OF WOOD

There is an old idea that you should use some green wood to insure long burn times.   THIS IS WRONG!  
Always remember, the dryer the wood the better.  It takes a great deal of energy to evaporate the moisture 
contained in green wood and that energy will not be heating your house.  Green or wet wood also  increases 
creosote formation. 

In most cases the harder the wood the more heat it produces,. In all cases the dryer the wood the more heat it 
produces.  We recommend at least 12 months drying time for split piled wood, protected from rain. 

Your wood burning furnace is not designed to burn coal and doing so is unsafe. Burning coal voids the 
warranty.

Never burn salt water drift wood. It is very corrosive and will damage the firebox.  Burning salty 

wood also voids the warranty. 

This controlled combustion firebox has been designed for high efficiency and long burn times.   The proper 
time to add more wood is when the last charge has been reduced to a glowing charcoal bed stage.  There will 
be very little smoke at this stage in the burn cycle. 

WARNING: BURNING WET UNSEASONED WOOD CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE CREOSOTE 
ACCUMULATION.  WHEN CREOSOTE IS IGNITED IT CAN CAUSE A CHIMNEY FIRE WHICH 
MAY RESULT IN A SERIOUS HOUSE FIRE 

OPERATIONS

Draft is created by the heated air rising in the chimney system.  This draft will pull fresh combustion air 

into the firebox. Recommended draft is .03 in. w.c.  Too little draft results in a sluggish fire and smoke 
backing up into the house when the furnace door is opened.  Too much draft (over .06 in. w.c.) is unsafe 
and wastes fuel. (Use a Barometric damper when necessary) 

The damper opening has been set at the factory and should not be adjusted. 

Ashes should be cleaned out when they reach a depth of 4" in the firebox.  Leave approximately 1" of ashes 

in the bottom of the firebox.  Dispose of ashes in an airtight, metal container and store it outside away 
from combustibles. 

Adjust the bleed air screw on the damper door to just maintain combustion air during times when the 

damper door is closed .    

OPEN THE FIRING DOOR ONLY TO RELOAD FUEL.   

Your appliance must be vented by a chimney system suitable for solid fuel fired appliances and should be 

checked periodically to insure its safe condition.    

During a power failure, use extreme caution to not over fire.  Leave the damper closed.  Remove the blower 

cabinet door and air filter. Open all registers to allow maximum air flow in the duct system.  Although 
there is considerable heat available even during a power failure,  this furnace is not approved for gravity 
operations. Without the blower running, high temperature in the system builds up quickly and over firing 
will result in permanent damage to the firebox. Maintain a small fire only.  Over firing voids all product 
warranties. 

If your furnace is operating as an add-on combination unit remember both units will not fully fire at the 

same time.  If wood is to be your main source, set the wood thermostat at your desired room temperature 
and set the backup thermostat approximately 5 degrees lower.