New Green Home Solutions by Dave Bonta

Author:Dave Bonta
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: ISBN9781423603894
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Published: 2010-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

This special low-moisture-content corn is burned in a household corn stove.

Masonry Heaters—Another form of biomass heat growing in popularity is the masonry heater, also called the Russian stove. This consists of a large central column of brick or stone that resembles a fireplace chimney in many ways. An enclosed wood box is connected to winding channels that allow for nearly total combustion. In addition to architectural beauty, these devices have several advantages, including terrific heat storage, a clean burn, and super efficiency. The biggest downside besides the labor involved in wood heating is the high initial cost.

Outdoor Boilers—In these systems, a metal shed-like structure sits outside the home. A large firebox is surrounded by a water jacket from which heated water is pumped underground to the house. These are best suited for remote rural sites, mainly when heating several buildings such as barns or workshops. Unfortunately, these are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–exempt because combustion is often poor; therefore, they are criticized for their heavy emissions.

Wood-Fired Central Heat—Central wood heaters and boilers distribute heat with forced hot air or circulating hot water systems. Because of their electric thermostats, pumps, and blowers, wood-fired central heaters require electricity to operate, so they are not as reliable as a woodstove if the power goes out. A reliable source of firewood is often not available outside of rural areas, and handling and burning wood is labor intensive and often dirty work too.

Biodiesel—Although biodiesel is usually thought of as the hot new fuel for diesel trucks and cars, it is just as well-suited as a fuel for oil-fired furnaces and boilers. There are even new woodstove-type heating options that burn biofuel instead of pellets or corn. Processed from new and recycled vegetable oil or animal fat, biodiesel fuel has the added quality of being biodegradable, nontoxic, and renewable. Indeed, biodiesel can be produced in only a few months; and, like wood, plants grown for biofuel only release the carbon dioxide absorbed during photosynthesis when burned. The major negatives to heating with biodiesel are availability and price. Finding a local source of biodiesel can be difficult as well, and locating a fuel oil dealer that offers biodiesel home deliveries can be even more challenging in most areas of the country. Additionally, biodiesel usually costs more than heating oil.

This Russian fireplace gives not only rustic charm but also considerable thermal mass and extremely efficient—and long lasting—wood heat.

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