wood stove vs fireplace

[DickWilson]

We are going to start building in Eden Roc in Feb. Looking at the temps we are wondering if we should include a wood stove or fireplace? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And what is the availablity and estimated cost. Buy there vs ship with HHG. Mahalo

dick wilson

[MarkP]

I've spent a few nights in Eden Roc where I could see my breath, and where I was basically cold. I really like being warm. You could get by with warm cloths and blankets at night, but I am planning for some type of wood heat myself.

[MarkP]

For the record, open fireplaces are pathetically inefficient, although they are really great for creating a mood. If a shallow Rumford design is installed and if it is operated correctly they actually generate some heat, but bottom line is they are the bottom of the barrel efficiency wise. The only heat that escapes an open fire is radiant heat. All the rest gets sucked up the chimney. So, an open fireplace would heat you, the furniture, the walls, anything in line of sight. Meanwhile, the air will be outdoor temperature, cause that's where it came from seconds before. That can be enough though, if you are hardy and like to play with your fire. Results may vary though in terms of the quality of the fire. Building a chimney that draws well is apparently somewhat of a lost art. Even the geometry of the fire makes a difference in how efficiently it burns.

[David M]

We decided on direct vent propane from this site Hearthside
We shipped them in our household container. The local alternative is Hilo
Wood is nice, but propane oh so convenient - instant on/off.
On advise of friends, do NOT get a ventless as it adds water vapor to the air, which we do not need.
BTW, the Hearthside folks were very nice to deal with. We also bought a direct propane unit from the Hilo store, but can't say the premium price was actually worth it - nice people though.

David

Ninole Resident

[JWFITZ]

Remember half the battle is keeping a house dry, and airflow is the key. Nothing moves air like a wood fired stove, and I can't imagine living here without both of mine.

The small jotul stoves are very hard to beat.

[DickWilson]

Jay; That's why we were leaning towards a wood stove. Plus we will have to clear a few tree's for the slab and hate to waste the wood. Fireplaces are more aesthetically pleasing, but even with forced air circulation, just don't get the job done. Mahalo for all the input, PW comes thru again.

dick wilson

[mella l]

We too will one day relocated to Eden Roc and are considering this wood stove a Rais also available in Hilo on Bay Front!

http://www.fireplacehawaii.com/stoves/rais/index.html

I've spent a few nights infront of a roaring blaze in Glenwood. It was a wood stove and the door can be left open part of the time, well except when banked back for over night. Um toasted marshmellows!

mella l

"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."

[DickWilson]

Mella; Hang in there, we didn't think we'd ever get to move either. Where will you be at in Eden Roc?

dick wilson

[mella l]

Hey Dick that's Ohia and 19, lot cleared for building pad when we got the no go from the state.

mella l

"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."

[LavaZone1]

Wood stoves are nice and efficient but you have to keep putting more logs in. I am still in Portland, Oregon and used to heat my house with a big woodstove. I had to get up in the middle of night so it wouldn't go out. (its cold here).

I've since installed 2 pellet stoves which are over 90% effecient but I don't know the availability of pellets in Hawaii, most likely none.

They are self feeding and can last days depending on heat requirements.

I bought my first one from a local company and with installation was about $5,000. I got smart on the next one. I got a less frills stove on Ebay (new in crate) shipped from Illinois, installed myself, all for around $2,000.