Wood Heat

When combined with responsible woodlot management, wood heat has the potential to be a near net-zero carbon emitting energy source. Trees take up CO2 as they grow, and re-release it when burned. The only additional CO2 emissions are those generated by harvesting & transporting the wood.

If you haven't heard of masonry heaters, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

Mark Twain, who discovered masonry heaters while traveling through Europe, wrote about them:

"All day long and until past midnight all parts of the room will be delightfully warm and comfortable … Its surface is not hot: you can put your hand on it anywhere and not get burnt. Consider these things. One firing is enough for the day: the cost is next to nothing: the heat produced is the same all day, instead of too hot and too cold by turns… America could adopt this stove, but does America do it? No, she sticks placidly to her own fearful and wonderful inventions in the stove line. The American wood stove, of whatever breed, is a terror. It requires more attention that a baby. It has to be fed every little while, it has to be watched all the time: and for all reward you are roasted half your time and frozen the other half... and when your wood bill comes in you think you have been supporting a volcano. It is certainly strange that useful customs and devices do not spread from country to country with more facility and promptness than they do." (taken from Marge Padgitt http://mha-net.org/docs/temp/Padgitt-masonryheaters2.pdf)

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about masonry heaters at the Masonry Heater Association's website: http://mha-net.org  They have an extensive library of technical data as well as general information.

Here is some additional valuable information about wood heat:

Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc (WETT) is the Canadian regulatory body with respect to wood heating appliances.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has research and recommendations for safe, efficient heating with wood.

Tulikivi is the name in masonry heating. The Tulikivi representative in Canada is Soapstone Heating

Jakob Dik, Kleefeld 377-4664 or 392-5456 has had experience in building Masonry heaters in Germany. He is currently (January 2011) negotiating with Soapstone Heating to become an installer for them.

Probably the most experienced Masonry Stove builder in Manitoba is Keystone Masonry The web site has good links to other sites.

Waldemar Beitler, New Bothwell 371-3457 - Chimney Sweeper & Inspector

This is a short video on the features of a new, high efficient, EPA wood stove