[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: Fireplace questions

[Lawrence Lile]

On Nov 09, 2006, at 10:57, Ian Remmler wrote:
> I'm liking the idea of a wood stove more and more!  As someone
> with an engineering background, I appreciate the efficient
> design (and the efficient cost compared to a masonry fireplace).
> Now I just have to convince my wife that it doesn't look too
> "Little House on the Prairie".

My woodstove allows the doors to be easily set aside, and a screen put
in, or just left wide open, giving the full effect of the fireplace.  We
do this once a year or so, and enjoy sitting in front of the fire, and
the rest of the time close it up and enjoy the efficient heat, that
doesn't backdraft into the house or cause excessive infiltration in the
back rooms.  There is nothing like having one place in your house that
is truly hot, like the chair in front of the stove, on a cold day. Beats
all that miserable thermostat setback stuff in my book.  


> We have a ton of cedar (ashe juniper) on the lot.  I know it
> burns hot and sparks and crackles, but would it be OK to burn it
> in a sealed stove?  We'll be clearing some of it anyway, so it
> would be free fuel.

Free is the best kind of firewood!  Better BTU per pound (of sweat) than
any other kind! Only kind better is the wood they pay you to haul off.  

Lawrence