posted 13 years ago
I, too, have been trying to brainstorm for such an idea- creating an all inclusive system running off of one RMH. The more I research, the more I realize how its easy to inhibit the function of the RMH as a super efficient wood stove. I think the water heater is very doable, if well planned, thought out and executed. It seems to me, if you allow yourself to either use an outside (Ernie's double chamber cob oven seems excellent) or somehow rig up an attachment to store or insulate heat for the oven function.
Though, I am also curious about thermosiphoning capabilities w/ RMH. Heating batches of water, I think, would be preferable. I believe it has been mentioned the problems with constantly using water as a thermal battery on these forums. I've considered getting rid of the RMH water heater idea, using a passive solar design for decently hot water for daily stuff and instead having a bath tub that has its own smaller RMH that can store heat for nice long hot baths, perhaps using ferrocement, as its been used for cisterns, but I'm unsure of its thermal capacity or if it would hold up under high heat from the RMH. But for a smaller place or for someone living by themselves, that may be a bit impractical.
Just a few thoughts- I have yet to construct a RMH, so keep that in mind.
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