Question by Cassandra Morgan: solar power heating costs/advice?
In NM there are people on the Navajo res who need tons of firewood delivered each winter so they don’t die. Can we afford to replace that with solar heating? I’m thinking we could raise under $ 5000 per house. These houses are tiny! under 200 square feet usually with unlimited room in their yards for panels … or roofs would be best because of various livestock.
But also, almost always no electricity or running water. They use their wood “stoves” of various types for heat AND cooking so if you have any tips on how we can help them get a low-maintenance, multi-generational system put in, or something that will be worth all this, please answer any and a lot since i have never installed something like this. You could say we have unlimited manpower (from 5 to 30) but
the most important thing is simply getting the abundant new mexico sun to do what a 24/7 fireplace with a hot top does for like 100 square feet affordable !
Thanks a ton! and extra love if you actually help us white people keep helping these wonderful Native Americans of every age and belief who can’t haul like college kids.
so far i don’t think i have the perfect answer. yes, i am basically looking for something to heat the air even at night because that is when they would freeze to death without fire, (without tearing up flooring either) and these people have no electricity (they also would probably not be opposed if the heating WORKS like fire does). The Chapter head or whoever in the Nation does supply the list of needs each year but i’m pretty sure they would not help with $ because as it is we have to pay for each load’s permit thing ourselves even though it is simply non-profit, working with a Navajo pastor’s family.

Best answer:

Answer by Hotrod
Solar hot water is a breeze and cheap too. Two collectors on the roof will supply hot water for domestic use and heating as well. The wood stove can be used as a back up system on rainy days and as a booster in. In new installations coil copper or plastic pipe over the reinforcing before laying concrete slab, existing homes use metal wall radiators. Works like this, cold water comes into the system at the lowest point of the collectors (which can be purchased ready to go, made on site or el cheapo, just coiled black plastic hose on roof,) Above the collectors is a insulated storage tank. In summer the system just provides domestic hot water, in winter turn a valve to introduce the heated water through the floor or radiators. Your wood fire should have a coil installed in the back connected to the system when the fire is lit it supplies additional heating. You don’t need a pump as the whole system works on convection currents.

Also check out the stirling engine generator from www,whispergen.com which is a co-generation device producing both heat and electricity, these are now being sold all over the world and may be within your budget. They are neat!

A website you should check out is www.builditsolar.com lots of great info and most of it free.

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by eye of einstein

Question by the_dreaming_fool: Is there any way to lower the heat a fireplace puts out to the house?
We have a wood burning fireplace, and when lit, it heats up the room to 78 degrees. The hearth doesn’t get too hot (it’s only mildly warm), so the heat isn’t too much for the fireplace. Only two logs are needed to get the house too warm. The fireplace has an outside air supply, and we don’t want to go through the hassle of installing glass doors if possible. My theory is the heat generated goes up to the vaulted ceiling and is “stored” through good insulation. I have not seen any backdrafting, but am not sure as to how to check that. I would like to have an open fireplace for Christmas, so any quick fixes would be nice. I’ve also tried turning just the blower on with the central heating, but the air intakes for it are closer to the floor, and though it does heat the entire house, it still keeps the main living room at a “balmy” 78 degrees while the rest of the house is about 70. Any ideas as to how to tame the heat? I’ve tried a smaller fire, but the smallest I can get is 2 logs without it going into “smoldering mode”. Any suggestions?
Added details:

Flue is wide open. Before I lit a fire, I looked straight up the chimney, and saw light coming through the spark arrestor. Also checked outside, No obstructions. Currently I am burning one Oak log for the “long term”, Bradford Pear for the visuals and to stop the oak from just smoldering. (Oak i split is usually 2″ diameter, Bradford pears I split to 3/4″ – 1″ diameter). I don’t think there’s backdrafting, but I will check that next time I start a fire.
Sorry, read the “NOT” have a fire going to check the vent draft after posting my update… Went and tested it, no vent draft. I was able to pull the smoking toilet paper roll about 1/2 a foot in FRONT of the fireplace with the flue open, and it drew the smoke in and up.

Best answer:

Answer by Clayton
There can be only one! Just use one log, split a little of the edges for better effect, thats if you like to look at the fire? Certain types of wood burn a lot hotter than others, example alder. Damper wide open? That would let more heat escape up the chimney.

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Question by Chrystal G: What feature is better for home resale value?
We have a very small master bedroom. It does not fit a traditional bedroom set (bed, dresser, 2 nightstands, chest/armoire.) There is a fireplace in the living room, which is connected to the bedroom. There are two small closets, not walk-in, but very small. My idea was to get rid of the fireplace and make it a walk-in closet, and remove the 2 closets and make the room a little bigger. He thinks the fireplace is the better amenity. We live in Charleston, SC. It can get cold, but not too cold, and we will never use the fireplace. I also had the idea of putting one of those “fireplace heaters” on the wall. Any thoughts.

Best answer:

Answer by loanmasterone
Closet space is what most women would want in purchasing a new property. A walk in closet is a dream with a larger room to most.

A fire place might be a romantic dream of a few, but a large master with a walk in closet might be a better resell value of your property.

I hope this has been of some benefit to you, good luck.

“FIGHT ON”

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by JudyElf

Question by ?: What are some words relating to the word “HEARTH” ?
just anything that you can think of that relates to HEARTH. thanks…

original definition of hearth that i am working with: fireplace
please look it up on dictionary.com for more details.

PLEASE AND THANK YOu!

Best answer:

Answer by luciloo26
Fire.

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Question by bubblesrgreat: I have to write a personal essay. What topic would be most interesting to read about?
It has to be about a life-changing event or time in my life. It has to be 10 pages long. I’m only 18 so my stories are limited, but i’ve had a few really great ones.

1) my connections to New Mexico—befriending a boy who I almost fell in love with, went against the tribal rules by riding the horses on sacred land, me getting seriously lost when on a moonlight walk in the mountains, days spent swimming in the river, the sun, when i met his grandfather he said “you are white indian”

2) when my dad died unexpectedly when I was 15… we were spending quality time together that weekend, I had slept in and I ran down the stairs in pajamas when a stranger rang the doorbell. my dad died when going for a jog in the morning, had a heart failure and slipped on the ice. the rest of the story consists of me being alone in the big, colonial house made specifically to look like the house of my dad’s childhood…that night none of my siblings could make it in time…something compelled me to go down the stairs. And in the room that was the creepiest to me I thought i saw my grandmother’s ghost next to the fireplace my dad loved and was an exact replica of his childhood one. My grandmother (who I never met in real life, my dad loved with all his heart, and I look exactly like her) said to me “It’s a nice fireplace”. She then went over to the piano that was hers (I’ve been playing it since I was 6) and said “He was most happy when you would play, when the music flooded the house.” She then disappeared. That was the last night I spent in that house–I loved it so much. I spent the rest of the evening rotating throughout the rooms and thinking of all the memories in each one. But I never went into my dad’s room again. I fell asleep on the ground in my room, cieling fan running and listening to the storm outside. I moved across the country to live with my mom a few days after that. I really got into piano because of seeing my grandmother, and to make my dad happy

3) I went to Kauai one time with my best friend. Earth science is one of my passions. I scored a free helicopter ride from a young guy there (when usually its really expensive and for tourists). It was supposed to be an hour long, but we were so engrossed in our conversation and our connection with the sciences, he showed me all around the island and for an extra two hours! The next time he flew a few days later he was by himself and he happened to crash. Know one is sure why, but perhaps it was suicide. It was really shocking to me knowing that I was one of the last people he opened himself up to. The story would go to show the importance of when someone opens up to you and shares their stories, how you should take it to heart.

4) when i fell off a cliff. the story would describe the importance of what goes through someone’s mind when you are hanging by roots above the ocean. Why i decided to call my best friend (who lives 2,000 miles away) first….then my phone died in my hysteria, I had no chance to call anyone for help or 911. I saw eagles mating in the sky then and boats go by but they couldn’t see me.

Best answer:

Answer by Bert
Number one would be my choice, if you can stretch it to 10 pages. The others you would have a time condensing it to 10 pages.

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Question by ltygress: Pre-fab fireplace insert rusted out… can I replace with concrete?
I am buying a house where the pre-fab fireplace has a metal “insert”. It sits about 1 inch out from the actual fire place wall. Both of these are metal, but the “insert” is rusted so much, it has buckled up on the bottom and has holes where it has literally rusted through. The metal behind it is absolutely fine. And it is a wood-burning fireplace.

The bottom of the fireplace (where the burning wood actually sits), seems to be concrete poured onto the metal. It feels, looks, and sounds like concrete, but when you knock on it with your knuckles, you also hear the muffled hollow metal sound.

I’m wondering if I can repeat this on the walls of the fireplace. This would not only keep me from having to find a new metal insert (which may not be available with how old the house and fireplace are) but it would last longer than a mere replacement insert.

Would this work? Or would it create a heat/fire hazard in the walls of the house itself? I’ve heard both stories, but for me the most compelling answer is that it would work, because the bottom of the fireplace is already done that way.
I was also thinking of ceramic tile, pavers, or mini-bricks, to make it look slightly more like a natural fireplace. If concrete isn’t an option, maybe those would be? Specifically the tiling, since ceramic is a good proven insulator?

Best answer:

Answer by specal k
concrete will not hold up to the heat plus the moisture in the concrete would cause it to pop like popcorn but in stead of fluffy kernels you would have little bits of extremely hot rocks and embers from fire flying every where.
the insert was put in because it was more efficient than the built in places one. the best and safest options is to replace the insert with a new one.

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by midnightlounge

Question by enord: owner’s manual 4 “southern hearth” direct vent gas fireplace?
not southern hearth.com. southern hearth was manufacturer of unit, made about 1995?. probly out of business. i need o.m. for 40,000 btu direct vent fireplace insert. thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Best answer:

Answer by damsel36
Try talking with your local hearth and grill shops. Maybe you will luck up.

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Question by ktclick20917: Options for Attractive Space Heating – Preferably Gas!?
We are remodeling our house and I’m trying to figure out an attractive alternative to the very ugly gas space heater in our living room. We live in northern New York where our home needs to be heated to some extent about eight months out of the year.

During the winter, we will be using a wood boiler, but during the fall and spring months, we need an alternative to heat our living space. The vent-free gas heater has been convenient and cozy, but it’s so ugly!

I’ve been looking into the gas “fireplaces” but the ones I’ve seen take up too much space for our 288 square foot room.

My husband seems to think an oil-filled radiator would be expensive to run (electric) so we want to stick to gas-powered.

I’d love whatever we get to be able to fit into the decor of our living room. Any ideas?

Best answer:

Answer by smokey
try looking in Lowes or Home Depot or Menards for heating ideas.

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by bluekdesign

Question by EL PINCHE CHINGON: what are some good, romantic, “fire place” songs?
I need to make a cd that I can play while sitting by the fire place with someone special.

Best answer:

Answer by God by nature mind raised n asia
Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye

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Question by sslawlor: Can I repair an electric space heater or do I have to Toss it?
I have a cute little fake black “stove” that is really a Fan blown electric space heater. It has 4 switches: Its 750 or 1500 Watts (2 switches). Plus the Fan switch and a switch that turns on a light that is suppose to make the fake fire look real. I love it as I have a tiny house and it’s like my own little fireplace! It started to give off a funny smell the other day, and zip…it fried I guess. The only switch that works is the light(FIRE) switch. Now, the heater parts never worked unless the blower(fan switch) was also “on”. Now there is no fan and neither 750 or 1500 works. Can I take the back off and try to fix it? I know nothing about electric heaters, but have a few basic repair skills. New they sell for about $ 180.00. I cant afford a new one. This one is about 18 months old. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by mel
take a look see, and maybe if the element is fried, you can contact the company and get another.

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