There is a Fireplace in my house that in the past we’ve used as a supplement to an oil furnace. This year, we are having a wood stove put in and hope to solely use this for heat. I am just curious, how efficient is a wood stove? I found through some Google searches that a fireplace has an average efficiency of 15%. Just curious and would appreciate any knowledge on the subject.

New Wood Stoves, which have to be EPA approved if they’re installed in the US, usually run about 75 to 80% efficiency when properly installed and operated. They are way way more efficient at heating a space than a fireplace.

We have an existing chimney that our oil furnace is vented through…Can we also install a Wood Stove to vent through the same chimney?
I truly have no idea if the Chimney is lined. The chimney opening in the house is close off and drywalled over. But we know that the oil furnace is vented through it.

not enough info. is the chimney lined, etc. usually the answer is no. then you are speaking of an older home and have no idea as to the integrity of the chimney. I’m pretty sure a permit would not be issued in your case. to install a wood burning stove correctly can be a big expense. please do not attempt to install something that can put life and property in danger.
I have focused on the chimney here. it’s condition. the oil burner is of lesser concern.

I have found that Buck stove and Appalachian have zero clearance models, do any other companies make them? Not talking about inserts or fireplaces, I’m talking ‘Zero Clearance wood stoves’.

1.
Zero Clearance Wood Stove
Shopzilla.com Bargain Prices. Smart Deals. Deals on Zero Clearance Wood Stove!

Search Results

1.
Wood Stoves
Zero clearance wood stoves are a cross between a zero clearance fireplace and a wood … Some zero clearance wood stoves, such as the Napoleon NZ-6000, …
www.completeheatnh.com/Wood_Stoves.html – Cached – Similar
2.
Installing a Woodstove – The Basics on How to Install a Wood …
Aug 11, 2007 … The first thing we have to do is to forget about the woodstove and … If you have a metal (zero clearance) fireplace and metal chimney, …
hearth.com/econtent/index.php/…/installing_a_woodstove – Cached – Similar
3.
Shopping results for zero clearance wood stove

Napoleon NZ3000WI Painted Black High Country Zero Clearance Wood Burn
$4,730 new – 6 stores
Osburn Stratford Zero-Clearance Wood Stove Fireplace OB04001
$1,773 new – 2 stores
Flame Monaco XTD EPA Zero Clearance Fireplace FL062
$2,425 new – 3 stores
4.
Model 20ZC Catalytic Zero Clearance Wood Stove
The Model 20ZC catalytic wood burning zero clearance stove delivers impressive heat in a small package. The Model 20 ZC is perfect for your new construction …
www.buckstove.com/wood/model20zc.html – Cached – Similar
5.
Zero Clearance Fireplaces
Zero Clearance Fireplaces. Information on Zero Clearance Fireplaces including Zero Clearance Wood Burning Fireplaces & Zero Clearance Direct Vent Gas …
www.fireplacesandwoodstoves.com/…/zero-clearance-fireplaces.aspx – Cached – Similar
6.
ENERGY KING Silhouette Zero-Clearance Wood Fireplaces
Apr 30, 2010 … Energy King Zero-Clearance wood fireplaces are an elegant, efficient way to heat your home, and are built solid for a lifetime of top …
www.energyking.com/fireplace.htm – Cached – Similar
7.
Napoleon – NZ26 Zero Clearance Wood Fireplace
The NZ26 Prestige® can be installed as a zero clearance or masonry fireplace. For your convenience it may be utilized for zone or multi-room heating and may …
www.woodstoves.net/nz26.htm – Cached – Similar
8.
Appalachian Product 4 – Appalachian Stove
Appalachian Wood Stoves have been steadily improving since we first began manufacturing them in 1977. This ranges our popular patented Zero Clearance models …
www.appalachianstove.com/prod04.htm – Cached – Similar
9.
Zero Clearance Wood Burning Fireplace – Fireplaces & Accessories …
Sep 16, 2010 … Zero Clearance Wood Burning Fireplace – 23 results like the Napoleon NZ6000 High Country Wood Burning Fireplace, Napoleon NZ-26 Prestige …
www.nextag.com/zero-clearance-wood…/products-html – Cached – Similar
10.
Wood Stoves, Gas Stoves, Fireplaces, Cookstoves and Barbecues
Shop for wood stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces, gas logs, wood cookstoves, … our wood stove page · our wood fireplace insert page · Zero Clearance Wood …
www.chimneysweeponline.com/ – Cached – Similar
11.
Zero Clearance Wood Fireplaces – Shopping for a Wood Fireplace
Zero Clearance Wood Fireplaces A fireplace is a great way to add ambiance and warmth to a home, but for homes without a Chimney, this can be an extremely …
hubpages.com/hub/zero-clearance-wood-fireplaces – Cached

some of them sell both

happy heating

I am purchasing a Wood Stove and installing myself. The Chimney hasn’t been used in quite a long time. Is it necessary to have it inspected and/or swept before operating the wood stove? If so how much would a chimney sweep charge me in NJ?
Thanks.

Required or not, I would strongly recommend that you get it inspected and cleaned. Not being used in several years leaves a lot of unknowns without answers. Call around you area as prices vary depending upon how many people use their chimneys.

We have a basement Fireplace with a Wood Stove insert. The whole thing seems pretty light. We have toddlers and I want to remove it for safety and put a fireplace screen in it’s place, but would like to be able to put it back in a few years. Is it pretty easy to pull the screws out and move the whole thing, and then screw it back in later? Or would I need to buy a new insert to surround the stove or have a professional come to put it back in? Thanks in advance!

If this thing runs to a chimney also used for a gas or oil furnace and/or gas water heater, don’t touch it. Have a furnace company do it and inspect the entire Chimney while they are at it. The stove is not the problem. Inadvertently releasing carbon monoxide into the basement is. If this is an old brick chimney ask about installing liner pipes. Whatever you do, don’t use that old stove again until the chimney condition is inspected. It is not uncommon for old wood burning chimneys to have built up half burned pitch that can set off like a blow torch.

Most people desire to enjoy the serenity of the night without thinking about miseries. It is nice to drift into the enigmatic beauty of the stars in the sky and the luster of the moon. At present, despite the hectic lifestyle of people, some are still wishing to enjoy a precious evening in the patio by just sitting around the fire and glancing at its crisp orange flames.

Year-round patio enjoyment can be had when there is a functioning fire pit to keep you warm and spirited. Fire pits are becoming popular by day. Said popularity triggered an influx of fresh designs, styles and materials to complement not just the patio but also the house in general.

Fire pits can be permanent or portable. They serve as containers for barbecues, bonfires, as well as outdoor heat. They also come in different sizes, sources and accessories. Some fire pits use wood while others use natural gas. Several fire pits are also designed to roast marshmallows while others can carry out a more complicated function such as container of a bonfire during a camping adventure.

One of the most striking fire pits available these days is called chimenea. Chimenea is a circular tub made out of ceramic, iron or other metal. It is an outdoor stove that is intended to provide heat and cook food by using fire pit wood. There are also other designs that are intended for the traditional wood fire pits like the copper bowls. Other fire pits have the rotisserie bar option. The portable version of which can accompany you to the beach, woods, or even just in the backyard. You can also use these fire pits roasting chicken or grilling burgers. This is done to make your fire pit investments go a long way. These types of fire pits accept coals and logs as sources.

Complex fire pit designs use natural gas instead of wood. They are usually fixed. Sometimes they use fire pit special products to boost their performance.

In selecting a fire pit, it is best to weigh the pros and cons. If you wanted a portable fire pit, choose a lightweight fire pit that can be assembled easily. If you want a fire pit for your patio, better use a dish or bowl design. Be sure that fire pit special products like screen dome or cover are part of the package. Also consider the size of the equipment especially when you intend to use logs and coals. When you are purchasing a fire pit with grill, make sure that there is an attached tool to raise the grill.

To maintain the fire pit, remove the ashes a day after you use it. Other fire pits require regular painting. Hence, seek advice from the paint store representative near you.

Daniel Roshard
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/round-the-year-fire-pit-delight-83042.html

It is not uncommon for a Chinese couple to seek the services of an astrologer to find a suitable Chinese baby name for their new born child. It is believe that a suitable Chinese baby name can improve the luck of the child and give the child a more auspicious life path.

The methodologies for selecting a suitable Chinese baby vary between the different schools of thoughts but most of them are based on the principles of Yin and Yang as well as the Five Elements.

Chinese characters are made up of strokes. The odd number strokes are Yang while the even number strokes are Yin. For example a character composed on two strokes is Yin while another character composed on 3 or 5 stokes are Yang. The total number of strokes used in the name matters. Depending on the school, a certain range of strokes are auspicious while certain other ranges are not.

In most schools the date of time of the baby’s birth is also required to compute the Ba Zi or Eight Characters. From the eight characters, the astrologer can determine the useful element. This is usually but not necessary the element is that most lacking in the chart.

Let say that the element that is most lacking in the chart is water. In this case the astrologer will find a name that is associated with water. Obvious names would include water or ocean. Less obvious is winter which is also associated with water. For someone lacking in the wood element, suitable names include wood, forest, spring (a season of wood) or a name of a plant.

Another technique is to find a Chinese name that comes with the required element. Most Chinese characters are composed of basic characters. For example the character for the word ‘stove’ a made up of the character fire and earth. Therefore if you lack fire or earth you can call yourself stove! Not the best of example but I hope you understand the principle!

These are by no means the only methods. Let me give you an example. In the old days, where infant mortality rate is quite high, parent resort to giving their child very lowly names like Cow or Pig hoping the evil spirits will miss them hence allowing them to live to a ripe old age!

Now you now why someone not so good looking is called ‘Spring Beauty’ while an obvious beauty is called a ‘Pig’!

Henry Fong
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/chinese-baby-names-88164.html

Have you ever been to the antique market, or watching the “Antiques Roadshow”, and seen those wonderful woodstoves for days passed? They are absolutely amazing, especially if you can find one in good shape. A friend of mine recently installed a “4 O’clock” stove dating back to the early 1900’s, and it looks marvelous! It got me thinking about woodstoves, in general, and I started to research many of the vintage stoves. I have listed the most popular models below. Get yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up, and read on!

Victorian Stoves – These stoves date back to the late 1800’s. They are generally made from cast iron, and adorned with nickel. This early kitchen stove will meet all of your cooking needs.

Country Stoves – These stoves generally date to around the early 1900’s. It is very similar to the Victorian stove, but more effort has been out into the nickel highlights and the clean, crisp casting.

Retro Stoves – These particular stoves are simply updated versions of the above. In the 1930’s, when these stoves were immensely popular, the kitchen seemed to be the central point in one’s home. These stoves were integral to the “modern” kitchen.

Cylinder Stoves – These stoves are likely the most easily recognizable of the antique stoves. They were renowned for their extraordinary ability to heat a home, while taking up very little floor space.

Potbelly Stoves – Early American photographs abound with images of the potbelly stove. These stoves were found in railway stations, saloons, brothels, and many other historic settings on the western frontier.

Parlour Stoves – Back in the Victorian era, these beautiful stoves were a focal point in traditional parlour rooms. At the height of their popularity, artisans adorned them with various designs such as cherubs, mythological figures, and floral designs.

Franklin Fireplaces – This stove is pure Americana. It was designed by Benjamin Franklin, and early American inventor, craftsman, and President. All Wood Stoves used for heating owe their heritage to Benjamin Franklin, and his efficient design.

These are but a few of the stove types I came across in my research. These stoves are all wonderful examples of design and function. If you happen to see any of these stoves while shopping for antiques, do let me know. Or buy one for yourself! You won’t regret it!

Kim Filler
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/vintage-stoves-classic-designs-to-warm-your-heart-121308.html

While the idea of a steam room is something that many of us in the modern world enjoy the idea of the steam room itself is not something new. In the olden days the steam room was known as a sweat lodge. These sweat lodges were designed primarily to allow various people to purify themselves before religious ceremonies.

The sweat lodge was constructed of material like wood or animal hide that would hold the steam that was released from the hot rocks inside of the lodge as steam. This steam would build up sufficiently to cause the inhabitants of the sweat lodge to sweat. This was the primary reason of the sweat lodge.

When the people had built up a good amount of sweat they would find that their limbs were completely relaxed. The sweat helped to purify the body and ready the body for a state of meditation. To enable this to occur the sweat lodge would be placed in a location where there was ample room to build a large sized lodge.

Today the sweat lodge idea is still used but it is made from modern materials. In many sweat lodges the primary covering is treated wood. This wood is pre-cut according to various sizes that may be needed to construct a sweat lodge.

The sweat lodge is generally constructed in the basement or just outside of the house and it is large enough for about five or six people to enjoy the benefits of the sweat lodge. In the center of the sweat lodge floor a small stove or gas, electric burner is placed on the floor.

On this stove you will place good quality Finnish sweat lodge rocks. These rocks will be medium sized and resistant to the constant heating and cooling effects of the sweat lodge. The stove heats the rocks up so they are hot right throughout the time that the sweat lodge is being used.

The rocks are used to heat the sweat lodge up to a certain temperature. This heat helps the body to start sweating. To aid this process even more but also to make sure that the rocks and the sweat lodge are not overly heated water is ladled over the heat rocks in small amounts.

When the water hits the highly heated rocks there will be a super heated steam mist that will begin to circulate through the sweat lodge. The combined heat and water vapor all contributes towards the sweat lodge giving the inhabitants of this lodge a relaxing feeling.

Additionally there are certain other benefits that staying in a sweat lodge can give. These include your skin clearing up of various skin complaints, losing weight and feeling more energized than before you started using a sweat lodge.

Krishan Bakhru
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/sweat-lodge-119743.html

Using a sauna has many health benefits associated with it. There is no need to get hurt while you try to get healthy. A sauna is unique environment. The heat, moisture and small space dictate that certain construction methods and behaviors be observed.

Safe construction
1-Any electrical connections need to be installed properly. Moisture and electricity are a bad combination. All connectors and fixtures need to be designed for moist areas and never exposed to the elements of a sauna. If you have ANY questions about installation hire, or at least consult, a professional.
2-Always use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) with all circuits.
3-Ventilate your sauna. The small enclosed space along with the use of wood or gas heaters can create an exhaust problem. Even with an electric or infrared heater, ventilation will improve the efficiency of your home sauna. Venting circulates the air, which in turn circulates the heat, giving you a more uniform heat distribution. Having a slight gap at the bottom of the door and an adjustable exhaust vent above the bench on an opposite wall makes for a convenient and natural ventilation system.
4-Make sure the floor is not made of a slick material. A tile floor may be easy to clean but it becomes dangerously slippery when wet, not to mention hot. A Duckboard (a removable secondary flooring made of wood slats) works extremely well in this situation.
5-The door should swing out and never have a lock or latch on it. In case of fire or CO2 buildup you should not have to think about any more than pushing open the door to escape.
6- Make sure there is some sort of guardrail around the heater. Saunas are intentionally small and the risk of bumping into the heater in the often cramped quarters is real.

Safe behavior

7-A sauna should be a relaxing and laid back retreat. This is no place for roughhousing especially with a hot stove so close.
8-Alcohol and saunas may seem like a natural complement but it can become a dangerous combination. Both will relax you and together they may put you to sleep. Sleeping in the sauna should never happen. Overexposure to the heat is not good for you.
9-There is a lot of debate about taking a sauna during pregnancy. If you are pregnant be sure to talk to your physician about the risks involved.
10-There is some new evidence that suggests that men exposed to excessive heat may father children that have an increased risk of developing brain tumors. It has been known for a long time that heat damages sperm and decreases fertility. There now seems to be a possible link between hot tubs, saunas and electric blankets use by men and brain cancer risk in their offspring. Luckily the effects of the heat are temporary and probably last less than a few months.
11-Always end your sauna session if you feel dizzy, nauseous sleepy or uncomfortable (OK #11 is a bonus).

There is no reason you cannot enjoy your home sauna as a safe and relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A few simple precautions will insure a lifetime of safe and healthy use.

Mike Hirn
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/why-get-hurt-while-getting-healthy-top-10-tips-for-maintaining-a-safe-home-sauna-64218.html