Masonry Heater

I just mailed out the deposit for our masonry heater. We are having it built by Michael Thronson, Earth and Fire Masonry. This will be our primary heating system for the house, as well as the 'heart' at the core of our home. So, what is a masonry heater? Basically, it's a firebox enclosed by some kind of stone or mason work. It burns wood, which heats the stonework. The stone, in turn, radiates out the heat throughout the day, heating the home. They are considered very efficient wood-based systems. Most homeowners fire thier heaters once a day, sometimes twice on the coldest days. The heat generated can be regulated somewhat by managing the size of your fire, and the type of wood you burn.

Our masonry heater will be brick faced, with a warming bench, woodbox, and baking oven. The oven is a 'must' because Loralee bakes all her own bread. It will look something like the picture here, although probably without the bluestone elements. This is one of the most expensive elements of the home (Don't ask!), but it also forms the 'heart' of the house, around which all activity will revolve.

In addition to the masonry heater, we will have a 2nd chimney flue to support a basement wood stove. Our backup (for when we go on trips, etc) will be a propane furnace with a radiant system in the basement slab. The house being as tight as it will be, this should provide enough heat to keep it from freezing if we go away during the winter.

Why the masonry heater? First off, I am very concerned about fuel costs... We are adherents to the 'peak oil' theory, and feel that petrolium products will continue to be expensive for the forseable future. Second, we LOVE the feel of wood heat, and having a hearth in our home is a priority. Third, wood is renewable and locally grown!