Frequently Asked Questions
We understand there are a lot of questions that come with the journey to finding the best way to heat your home. Here are some of the more common ones we have been asked by customers over the years.
Can a masonry heater be built into an existing house?
Absolutely. About half of NEHS's business consists of retrofitting existing homes.
Can the Masonry heater heat my whole house?
This depends on several factors: the size of the heater; the size, layout, and energy-efficiency of the house; the method of circulating the heat; and
the climate. It can certainly be done: one satisfied NEHS client heats his 3000-square-foot home exclusively with a masonry heater using three cords of wood per winter. Others heat smaller houses, and many others use various combinations of masonry heater and backup system.
the climate. It can certainly be done: one satisfied NEHS client heats his 3000-square-foot home exclusively with a masonry heater using three cords of wood per winter. Others heat smaller houses, and many others use various combinations of masonry heater and backup system.
Can I Overheat the house, like with a wood stove?
If you continuously fired the heater for 4 hours straight, you'd become quite warm! But unlike with a wood stove, it's very hard to overheat a house using a masonry heater, because a much longer time elapses between burning the wood and releasing the heat into the house. Also, the process is self-regulating: the warmer the room air becomes, the more slowly the heater radiates heat into the air. As the air cools, the heat radiates more quickly.
What kind of wood can my masonry heater burn?
Any kind, as long as it's dry. Because your heater burns wood at high temperatures with sufficient oxygen for complete combustion, it will successfully burn both hardwood and softwood. The wood should be no more than 4 inches in diameter for a large firebox, and smaller pieces will burn better in a smaller firebox.
Won't I get insects in my house if I store firewood near it or in it?
If the wood is kept dry and there's no ground contact, insects will not be a problem. For more information on Wood Storage check out this blog post.
Can I really cook in my heater?
Yes! Using only the heat you're heating your house with -- whether you have a bake oven or a regular firebox -- you can turn out superb meals: pizzas, bread, roast meats and vegetables, baked potatoes and more. In fact, your masonry heater is the original "brick oven" prized by gourmet cooks. For more information, please see "Cooking With Your Masonry Heater" in the "Operation and Maintenance" section.
On Spring or Fall days, I sometimes find my heater difficult to start. Any tips?
See "Lighting a Fire in Spring and Fall" in the "Operation and Maintenance" section for some ways to remedy the situation.
My husband and I like to sit and watch the fire, but the heater throws off so much heat when it's fired up that we need to sit on the other side of the room. Can we still get that romantic fireplace feeling somehow?
Yes. Put in less wood -- only about three logs at a time. They will produce enough heat to maintain the fire, but not so much that you'll be blown away by it. You'll be able to watch it for quite a while this way.
Let Us Answer Your Questions
If there's anything we didn't address, feel free to let us know.
