Heating with wood can create a lot of pollution and waste natural resources if it isn't done well, but here are two options that are very efficient and low on pollution.
Rocket Stoves are fairly easy to build yourself, and provide a way to burn small pieces of wood really hot, which is required for reduction of creosote and pollution. The Aprovecho Research Center has done significant research on rocket stoves and are now producing inexpensive rocket stoves for third world countries. Ianto Evans, from the Cob Cottage Company, is building heated couches with rocket stoves and has a book out about them.
Masonry Heaters are the big brother to rocket stoves. They work under the same principles as rocket stoves: small pieces of wood that burn very quickly (usually 30 minutes or less) and get very hot. The addition of large amounts of thermal mass in the surrounding masonry and maze-like chimney capture this heat and radiate it out slowly over many hours, heating your house all day. There are many different designs for masonry heaters, and they are also known as Russian, Finnish, or Scandinavian fireplaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment