[Greenbuilding] Fireplace options

[Lynelle Hamilton]

Agreed.  I've learned that regardless of moisture and density, it takes 
about the same amount of energy to cut and split it though--most of that 
mine!

Lynelle
On 03/10/2012 11:16 AM, Ron Cascio wrote:
> Yes species is the base for BTU availability, but if not properly 
> dried and burned even the most dense of hardwoods will not burn hot 
> and create gobs of smoke (unspent fuel up the chimney).
>
> Ron
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynelle Hamilton" <lynelle at kos.net>
> To: "Green Building" <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2012 10:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Fireplace options
>
>
>> From the perspective of someone who needs to have a heat source, much
> also depends upon the type of wood, I've found.
>
> Lynelle
> On 03/10/2012 9:20 AM, Ron Cascio wrote:
>> Re: [Greenbuilding] Fireplace options
>> Sustainably sourced wood, properly dried and burned, can't be beat. 
>> The last part (properly burned) is the one most folks have difficulty 
>> with.
>> Ron
>>
>>     ----- Original Message -----
>>     *From:* Jason Holstine <mailto:jason at amicusgreen.com>
>>     *To:* Greenbuilding Listserv
>>     <mailto:Greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
>>     *Sent:* Tuesday, October 02, 2012 6:47 PM
>>     *Subject:* Re: [Greenbuilding] Fireplace options
>>
>>     From a true-sustainable emboddied energy perspective, I would
>>     submit that a wood burning stove is likely superior to a gas
>>     insert. If you are burning local woods—especially from urban
>>     surplus (storm damaged trees, deconstruction, etc.)--then it is
>>     effectively carbon neutral and doesn’t have the ghosts of the
>>     fossil gas. There have to be some good sources of local surplus
>>     woods in the Berkeley area, Sausalito, Napa, etc, etc.
>>
>>     There are a couple of European brands, such as RAIS from Norway,
>>     that are very efficient and thus burn clean—they minimize the PM
>>     emissions. However, they create a TON of BTUs (heat). Maybe they
>>     would be overkill if she really doesn’t want heat as much as
>>     prettiness. Or, maybe she’d see how effective and efficient it is
>>     at keeping them cozy without their “other” heating source and
>>     would switch to use it as their primary or more-often heat source.
>>
>>
>>     On 10/2/12 2:49 PM, "Kirsten Flynn" <kf at declan.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>         Hi everyone,
>>
>>         I have mostly been lurking on the list, I am a green interior
>>         designer, so don't always come across issues of building
>>         science. Now I do have a question I think the combined wisdom
>>         of this list could help me with.
>>
>>         In my region, most municipalities ban wood fireplaces in new
>>         construction. I usually recommend that folks that have an
>>         existing convert to a good quality gas insert, they burn
>>         cleaner and give the hearth feeling in the winter. In our
>>         climate (SF bay area) we are very temperate, and don't need
>>         heating. I live on the San Francisco Peninsula, which is very
>>         population dense, and does have air pollution issues on 
>> occasion.
>>
>>         I have a client that has a 1950's house, and wants to keep her
>>         fireplace. She is very green, but is very opposed to fossil
>>         fuel use. She would like a solution for occasional heating
>>         that is not dependent on natural gas, but she IS concerned
>>         about particulate pollution. What should I tell her, I am not
>>         as up on EPA rated wood burning inserts as I should be.
>>
>>         If I need to convince her not to be so attached to the wood
>>         burning option, she is intelligent and interested, I am happy
>>         to do so, but I want to know what the best options are.
>>
>>         Thank you in advance for your answers.
>>
>>         Kirsten Flynn
>>         Designer
>>         *Sustainable Home
>>         *Sustainablehome.com <http://sustainablehome.com/>
>>         650-855-9476
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>         _______________________________________________
>>         Greenbuilding mailing list
>>         to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>>         Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>>         to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>>
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org 
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>     _______________________________________________
>>     Greenbuilding mailing list
>>     to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>>     Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>>     to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>>
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org 
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org 
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding mailing list
> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>
> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org 
>
>