If you’re heating your home with a Quadra-fire wood stove or fireplace insert, you may have come across two key terms: ACC and ACT. These acronyms stand for Advanced Combustion Control and Automatic Combustion Control - two innovative systems designed to optimize your stove’s performance. Understanding how they differ can help you choose the right stove for your needs or ensure you order the correct replacement parts.

At Mountain View Hearth Products, we often get questions about how to tell these models apart. Let’s break down the key differences in technology and show you the easiest way to identify whether your stove is an ACC or ACT model.

What Is Quadra-fire Advanced Combustion Control (ACC)?

The Advanced Combustion Control (ACC) system focuses on giving you precise, manual control over your stove’s burning process, which is great if you like to fine-tune how your stove performs.

Key Features of ACC:

• Three-Stage Combustion: ACC stoves burn fuel through primary, secondary, and tertiary stages, which helps reduce emissions and maximize heat.
  
  
• Manual Air Control: You control the airflow to the combustion chamber yourself, allowing you to adjust the burn rate and heat output based on your preferences.
  
  
• Smart Monitoring: Sensors help maintain optimal burning conditions by continuously monitoring combustion and guiding your adjustments for the best performance.

What Is Quadra-fire Automatic Combustion Control (ACT)?

The Automatic Combustion Control (ACT) system is designed for convenience. It automates airflow adjustments so you don’t have to worry about fiddling with settings during the burn.

Key Features of ACT:

• Automatic Air Control: The stove uses sensors to monitor temperature and burn rate and adjusts airflow automatically in real-time.
  
  
• Hands-Free Operation: You simply set your desired heat level, and the stove manages the rest, making it perfect for those who want a "set-it-and-forget-it" experience.
  
  
• Consistent Efficiency: ACT maintains efficient combustion without constant user intervention.
  
  

How to Tell If You Have an ACC or ACT Model

While the technology inside differs quite a bit, the easiest way for homeowners to tell the difference visually is by checking the number of baffle plates inside the stove’s firebox.

Baffle Difference:

• ACC Models Have Two Baffles
  Look inside the firebox, and you’ll see two separate metal baffle plates. These plates direct airflow and support the three-stage combustion process unique to ACC.
  
  
• ACT Models Have One Baffle
  ACT models (such as the 3100 ACT and 4100 ACT) have a single baffle plate inside the firebox. This simpler setup works hand-in-hand with the automatic combustion controls.
  
  

Why Does This Matter for Replacement Parts?

Ordering parts that match your stove model is crucial. If you order a baffle plate designed for an ACT model but have an ACC stove (or vice versa), the part won’t fit properly, and that can affect your stove’s safety, efficiency, and performance. Additionally, the replacement fiberboard baffles and ceramic blankets will be cut differently for each unit. The firebrick kits for the ACC and ACT units also contain different bricks of varying sizes.

Always check your baffle setup and confirm your model before ordering any replacement part. If you’re unsure, contact us.. Our team can help you identify the right parts, so you don’t have to worry. One simple call or email can help you keep your Quadra-fire running smoothly all season long.