Wood Stove Heating Systems

Fireplaces, wood stoves, wood pellet stoves, and coal stoves have a certain charm and can be viable heating methods. They require more attention to stoke and clean and keep the water kettle full to re-humidify the air. If not part of an elaborate duct system, they work best when centrally located in a home that is basically a single, open area. These methods work, not by the flames briefly heating the air that quickly escapes up the chimney, but by heating a large mass of iron, stone, or brick that slowly re-radiates the heat (that's why you surround your campfire with rocks), so put your chimney in the center of the home--unless you like an exterior chimney to heat The Great Outdoors.

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Jotul 602 Wood Stove:

Of course, a super-insulated, earthsheltered home might require little or no active heating but you might want a backup or simply ambiance.

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