Post by JBW on Mar 4, 2012 14:22:10 GMT -8
I've been hanging around a few weeks and educating myself.
I am trying to reduce/eliminate my propane use at home and almost bought a wood pellet heater, but came to the realization I would just be trading dependence on one fuel supplier for another. My search brought me here and I like what I have seen so far.
A bit about my situation......
I live in a fairly new house (2005) that is well insulated. 1500 sq. ft., over 1500 sq. ft. walk out unfinished basement. A major problem is a lack of flue or chimney. The propane furnace exhausts out a horizontal 2" PVC pipe. It really is efficient, but at 3 bucks a gallon, expensive to run. I really don't want to open a possible leak in my roof to vent out the top. An outside flue is the only option, but would it need to be above the roof? The back is 2~3 stories tall with the walk out, main level, and the roof line.
I have in mind a tall "single bell" like Peter's first prototype for ease of construction and because I want to heat the basement and the upper level floor passively. I can use the un-vented gas logs in the main level for more "instant" heat.
I am open to any and all suggestions.
As I understand it, (and PLEASE correct me!) the major differences in the many rocket heater designs is the approach used to "harvest" the heat, barrel style for more instant heat (with some mass for later heat) and bell for a slower but more long lasting heat.
Has anyone seen this video?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV0WDudP538&feature=related
I know it's not a rocket, but it could be with some changes. What do y'all think of the basket for fuel pellets. This might be a way of providing a longer time between fueling sessions if needed. I'm not fond of spending money for wood pellets with so much "free" wood around, but I can see times when I might use them.
I'm already planning to build a small experimental unit and will probably be back with many more questions....
Thanks, Joel
I am trying to reduce/eliminate my propane use at home and almost bought a wood pellet heater, but came to the realization I would just be trading dependence on one fuel supplier for another. My search brought me here and I like what I have seen so far.
A bit about my situation......
I live in a fairly new house (2005) that is well insulated. 1500 sq. ft., over 1500 sq. ft. walk out unfinished basement. A major problem is a lack of flue or chimney. The propane furnace exhausts out a horizontal 2" PVC pipe. It really is efficient, but at 3 bucks a gallon, expensive to run. I really don't want to open a possible leak in my roof to vent out the top. An outside flue is the only option, but would it need to be above the roof? The back is 2~3 stories tall with the walk out, main level, and the roof line.
I have in mind a tall "single bell" like Peter's first prototype for ease of construction and because I want to heat the basement and the upper level floor passively. I can use the un-vented gas logs in the main level for more "instant" heat.
I am open to any and all suggestions.
As I understand it, (and PLEASE correct me!) the major differences in the many rocket heater designs is the approach used to "harvest" the heat, barrel style for more instant heat (with some mass for later heat) and bell for a slower but more long lasting heat.
Has anyone seen this video?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV0WDudP538&feature=related
I know it's not a rocket, but it could be with some changes. What do y'all think of the basket for fuel pellets. This might be a way of providing a longer time between fueling sessions if needed. I'm not fond of spending money for wood pellets with so much "free" wood around, but I can see times when I might use them.
I'm already planning to build a small experimental unit and will probably be back with many more questions....
Thanks, Joel