Termyn8or
Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
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cj, if you don't have me blocked, listen up. The way to heat efficiently is to somehow seperate the flue from the heat. The trick is a carefully calibrated flue, possibly adjustable.
You must maintain a negative air pressure to draw in the needed oxygen for combustion, but if it is too much it does two things. First of all half your heat goes out the flue, secondly if it creates too much negative air pressure and every tiny draft in the house is magnified.
I notice the newer high efficiency gas furnaces have an outside air vent to bring in fresh air for combustion, and the reason is to not create that vacuum that will pull in cold air from around every door and window in the place, which is of course counterproductive. I see no reason that this principle can't be applied to wood burning. It would be a simple matter of running a PVC pipe down the flue to provide the fresh air.
For years there have been fireplace inserts which do provide a controlled flue, and allow you to burn wood or whatever, utilize the radiant heat and not create such a strong vacuum. They have been on the market for decades. The enhancement of, which does seem ironic, bringing in the cold outside air for combustion would make such things even more efficient.
I really like sitting around a fireplace, a nice one. My Uncle had one and it was great but when the party was over it got shut down and the furnace was turned back on, why ? Because while it would heat the immediate area it would bring a chill into the rest of the house because of the negative air pressure. Things may have been different when people had no choice and lived in a one room log cabin, but in a modern house it just doesn't work all that well.
Yes, if this house were bigger, I might seriously consider installing a fireplace. I know a guy who can do it, and he owes me money and he would do it right and give me a good deal. That would just be pretty much for fun though, I would not consider it a major source of heat for the whole house. Like my Uncle, it was fun, put the fire out, close the damper and turn the furnace back on, it's getting to be bedtime.
I can tell you from experience though, it is nice to grab your blankey and sleep in front of a fireplace on a bearskin rug. Thing is, I don't think you can just do that every day in modern times. There are too many problems. Maybe not so much in a one room shack, but in a modern dwelling it is alot less desirable.
T
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RE: Grrrrrrrrr - 
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its 33 and cold but the sun is out...have my fleech robe and hot tea
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