| Masonry stoves offer good solutions to many of | | | | channels. |
| the problems associated with wood burning. They | | | | Masonry stoves are very well adapted to new |
| provide clean combustion at a high temperature, | | | | homes where floor plans allow for the required |
| good efficiency, a high degree of safety, and little | | | | extra space. They can be adapted to many |
| or no pollution. Masonry stoves were designed to | | | | existing homes by locating the unit in an insulated |
| burn much hotter than a standard wood stove. | | | | basement or in the living room supported by |
| Moreover, they are able to retain that heat much | | | | reinforced masonry piers. |
| longer than the traditional fireplaces that preceded | | | | Masonry stoves, also known as Russian, Siberian, |
| them. | | | | or Finnish fireplaces, are some of the most |
| Masonry stoves can sharply reduce wood-burning | | | | efficient heating systems you can have in your |
| safety problems. An iron stove, when lit, is | | | | home. The heater core of a masonry stove |
| frequently so hot it will burn anyone who touches | | | | burns at maximum efficiency resulting in |
| it. In contrast, builders of masonry stoves | | | | particulate emissions that fall well within EPA |
| sometimes incorporate seats into the stove | | | | guidelines and are comparable to catalytic wood |
| because the external surfaces of a properly used | | | | burning stoves. |
| heater are very safe to touch. | | | | Unfortunately, since masonry stoves are custom |
| In addition to built in seats, it's common to also | | | | built to individual specifications, they don't lend |
| incorporate a bake oven, and to a lesser extent, | | | | themselves easily to third party testing necessary |
| a domestic hot water heater coil. | | | | for EPA certification. This certification is required |
| Here's how they work: Outside combustion air | | | | to qualify for state and federal energy tax |
| enters at a lower level through the foundation. | | | | incentives and rebates. |
| The intake air passes through the air damper and | | | | Masonry stoves excel not only in combustion |
| then into the firebox. Rapid combustion of the fuel | | | | efficiency, but they also greatly outperform metal |
| charge results in long flames, which are directed | | | | wood stoves and open fireplaces in thermal |
| around the bake oven and then burn out in the | | | | efficiency. Thermal efficiency is measured in the |
| secondary combustion chamber. (Secondary | | | | proportion of the heat produced by the fire that |
| combustion occurs when the gases emitted from | | | | is retained in the dwelling. |
| the burning wood are also combusted. This | | | | But don't expect a masonry stove to quickly take |
| accounts for high fuel efficiency with minimal | | | | the chill off your home. The first firing of the |
| harmful emissions). The hot gases are then cooled | | | | season will probably take 2 or 3 days to bring the |
| in two downdraft heat exchange channels and | | | | heat up to a comfortable level. Once this level is |
| enter a connecting plenum under the firebox. | | | | achieved however, you can depend on non-drying |
| From there the cooled exhaust gases enter the | | | | warmth for the entire heating season with minimal |
| chimney at floor level. The design of the | | | | firing. |
| connecting plenum allows the chimney to be | | | | Masonry stoves, decorated with tile, stone, or |
| connected anywhere at the back or side of the | | | | adobe, are also very attractive from an interior |
| heater without unbalancing the downdraft | | | | design standpoint and often downright beautiful. |