Unacceptably cold

[altivo]

So I have stuffed the stove with wood, refilled the woodbox, and I'm going to bed where it's warmer.

I've had quite enough winter, thank you.

Comments

[soanos]

*offers you a hot water bottle filled with very warm, almost hot water*

The house has wood heating only, or is it wood+electric? My parents have a Wood+electric heating, and they need to put some wood in the fireplace every 2 days or so when it is cold. But fortunately they have a fairly well-designed chimney so the heat won't escape straight up and most of it stays within the "firewall" which is the brick and cement lining around it.

[altivo]

We have electric heat in the form of a geothermal heat pump system. It's very good at cooling the house in the summer, and does well for heating in spring and fall when the outdoor temperatures are above freezing. When the weather gets really cold, though, below -10C, we need the stove for added heat at night.

The stove is a modern design with baffles in the smoke outlet, so it's fairly efficient at retaining as much heat as possible. Also, as you say, the brick hearth and surround where the stove sits absorb heat and radiate it back into the room.

Gary is good at getting a fire started quickly on a cold hearth, but I'm better at banking it up so it will go all night without tending. I did that last night, and this morning I was able to just drop some wood in on the remaining coals and it started back up in about ten minutes. I'm not always that successful, though.

[soanos]

Geothermal is fairly efficient what I have heard, but the initial cost is a bit high. However, I have heard it will pay for itself over the next few years. I am glad to hear the stove is a modern design. Too many people keep on using the ancient designs and wasting a lot of energy and firewood.

I think I am pretty good at starting a fire myself too, but I haven't really had the need for the skill yet. It does come in handy when going to a party with friends at a cabin. After seeing someone use half a box of matches I ask if I can give it a try. :)