<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hey Corwyn, If you'd like more info before jumping to conclusions just ask:<div><br><div>The "open fireplace" is not open: it's an enclosed, sealed combustion unit with outside combustion air and heat circulation. Not my preference, but again, I'm not the architect.</div><div>The clients have in place a 12 KW propane generator. We won't be powering the home exclusively with solar; solar will be used to top up the batteries when the genset isn't running.</div></div><div>I am building a case to revamp the design to abandon the fireplace (on a gable wall- largely aesthetic) in favour of a centrally located masonry heater.</div><div>Propane has to be barged over, so it's usual cost and efficiencies are not applicable here. </div><div>There is currently no heat source called out for the bathroom, so your assumption that we're starting with 65 degree air is invalid.</div><div>We are working with 4500 HDD but heating typically starts in late September and ends in early June. It's oceanfront, so there's a really big 45 degree mass out there.</div><div>It may prove to be more efficient and practical to provide a separate propane heat source for the bathroom area but the clients have asked me to look for alternatives and so I am.</div><div><br></div><div>One despairs at your despair.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Chris </div><div>TimberGuides</div><div><br></div><div>Corwyn wrote: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A FIREPLACE? Seriously, a open fireplace? And you are worried about </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">moving a little bit of stratified heat? With an elaborate, PV powered,
high embodied energy device...</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal; "><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">One despairs.."</pre></span></pre></span><div><br></div></body></html>