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Paul wants help coming up with a different name for rocket mass heaters

 
gardener
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If we could have a do-over, what name would you use instead of "rocket mass heater?"

We got a letter from a very kind supporter who wants us to come up with a "sweet, wimpy name" for rocket mass heaters to make them sound less scary.

Paul also told me a story about an organization who refused to endorse them because they thought they literally ran on rocket fuel.

So if you were rebranding rocket mass heaters, what would you call them?
 
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Something that describes them as "low smoke" - "low pollution" - "high-efficiency"?

In Ontario we had a Natural Gas furnace which had "high efficiency" in its name.

I tend to agree that "rockets" have been known to blow up, and many people probably don't get the "mass" part until they do some research - most of us live in houses that have minimal mass these days, so we don't get the effect it has on heating and cooling.
 
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FES Heater: Pronounced "fay", Freaky Efficient Stove.
The DIY Eco-Heater/Stove
HESH: High Efficiency Stealth Heater
Smokeless Wood Heater

 
gardener
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HEATS

High
Efficiency
Alternative
Technology
Stoves

Or more simple:  Bench Heaters
 
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The Smart Heater
 
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Like Daniel said:  Bench Heater

That is what I vision when I think of a RMH.

I also like "slow-release radiant heating system" from wikipedia.
 
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Radiant Bench Heater
 
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It's too bad the brand 'Warm Morning' is taken

Maybe 'Warm Bench Heater' or 'wood to warmth'; 'Warm Bottom' stove;
 
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Well this is an interesting post.  
I'm wondering just where or how we would try changing this?
Its a world wide name that has been around for a long time. It was not invented here.
As we know there are books with this name...
In my opinion to try changing the name, you would still need to say RMH in any description or field too many questions about it.

As far as new names go , there are numerous variations of rmh's.  Calling them all a bench heater or a stratification chamber or a J tube or a Batchbox   alone is just to limiting.

I think Daniel Rays suggestion of HEATS is a good option.
 
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Some play on "Long release high efficiency radiant woodstove".  
 
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-- high-efficiency masonry heater
 
-- natural radiant heat system

-- eco-heat radiant stove
 
gardener
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Sweet, wimpy name, eh?  How about the Bench Warmer.  High school soccer flashbacks.
 
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Maximum Efficiency/Minimum Polution Wood Heater.

"Maximum efficiency" gets people's attention, as well as "minimum pollution". It needs the word "wood" to specify the fuel used. I would avoid words like "stove" or "burner" due to a connotation of being unsafe, especially if trying to get accepted by insurance companies. I think "Emm.Eee.Emm.Pee" has kind of an authoritative ring to it, maybe even a military down-to-business attitude, while "maximum efficiency/minimum pollution" sounds like an appliance you would find in a home improvement store.
 
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I suggest that "double burn" could replace "rocket."  It's kind of the heart of the concept, as I see it.

Double-Burn Mass Heater

Double-Burn Radiant Masonry Heating System
 
Greg Martin
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I kind of like the Radiant Masonry Heating, Douglas, since it's still RMH :)
 
Nicole Alderman
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Here's some ideas from my husband (I literally typed everything he said as he was thinking, much to his dismay):

-- barrel flow cooker
-- high-efficiency vortex heater/cooker
-- vortex barrel
-- "listen, stop typing! I'm thinking!"
-- vortex cooker
-- recirculating barrel cooker
-- "No really, don't type that! I'm not ready!"
-- double-burn barrel heater
-- double-cycle barrel cooker
-- two-cycle stove
-- low emission 2-cycle cooker
-- double-barrel cooker
 
Douglas Alpenstock
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Agreed, Greg, The acronym has a lot of history. It's not good to stray too far from a recognized brand.

Radiant Reburn Mass Heater - RRMH

"Radiant" is a soft, friendly, descriptive word. It's tactile, feminine.

"Reburn" suggests advanced engineering and efficiency. It's technical, masculine.

[Gad, marketing is such bullshit. Except it's not.]
 
Rob Lineberger
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Greg Martin wrote:I kind of like the Radiant Masonry Heating, Douglas, since it's still RMH :)




Thats pretty solid logic.  Hats off to you.  Unless the point is to distance from the old name.  In which case gimme my hat back.
 
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small wood inferno
 
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Nicole Alderman wrote: -- high-efficiency masonry heater
 
-- natural radiant heat system

-- eco-heat radiant stove



A H.E.M. heater!



Here's some ideas from my husband (I literally typed everything he said as he was thinking, much to his dismay):

-- barrel flow cooker
-- high-efficiency vortex heater/cooker
-- vortex barrel
-- "listen, stop typing! I'm thinking!"
-- vortex cooker
-- recirculating barrel cooker
-- "No really, don't type that! I'm not ready!"
-- double-burn barrel heater
-- double-cycle barrel cooker
-- two-cycle stove
-- low emission 2-cycle cooker
-- double-barrel cooker



Nicole, you are so funny! I've been known to do something similar!! With similar results!
 
Deedee Dezso
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bruce Fine wrote:small wood inferno


Is that anything like a "disco inferno"? Maybe not.
 
Rob Lineberger
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Cindy Haskin wrote:

bruce Fine wrote:small wood inferno


Is that anything like a "disco inferno"? Maybe not.



Bisque-o Inferno?
 
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How bout the HHH "hot, heavy heater."  Kidding, but can't think of anything better

I do think that despite the wealth of great insight put into the Rocket Mass Heater, this probably sounds like something dangerous and enigmatic to soccer moms, and this is a big reason why it is not catching on like we'd like.
 
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Well, I gonna be pain.

But anybody has thought the name might be copyrighted?  

Or even thought of asking Ianto Evans, or Leslie Jackson about the name change?

I can tell you the name is copyrighted "de facto"  since the book has been published.

Just food for thought.
 
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Clean High Efficiency wood burning heater

That has it all in there.
 
pollinator
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I think it would be great to get some clarification on exactly why the name needs changing. If it is for distance, as is being suggested, similar acronyms wouldn't get the job done.

Personally, I think there are enough cute acronyms out there. I know Paul will gravitate towards those, and there's nothing we can do, but I like the good suggestions already made that are simple descriptors of function and form. Something like High-Efficiency Thermal Mass Battery Wood Incinerator might be too clumsy, and Paul would probably turn it into something like HEThMaBaWI, or something like that.

Something like Complete Combustion Masonry Heater might work, though "Complete" might be considered hyperbole in this case, if you take into account what energy must remain in the system to keep the exhaust draughting the right way.

If there's anything to necessitate the name change beyond some people not liking the rocketyness, I'd be interested to know. I would also like to know what Paul eventually comes up with.

Again, there are some great ideas above. Good brainstorm, people.

-CK
 
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Satamax Antone wrote:I can tell you the name is copyrighted "de facto"  since the book has been published.



You do know that all of the text is in the public domain, right?

 
paul wheaton
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twig and box heater
twig and box smoke burning heater
twig and box reburn heater

twig and paper heater
twig and paper reburn heater
twig reburn heater
twig reburn mass heater

tiny carbon footprint heater

world saving heater
 
Jordan Holland
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Cindy Haskin wrote:

bruce Fine wrote:small wood inferno


Is that anything like a "disco inferno"? Maybe not.



Just hang a mirrored ball over it!😂
 
Greg Martin
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Jordan Holland wrote:

Cindy Haskin wrote:

bruce Fine wrote:small wood inferno


Is that anything like a "disco inferno"? Maybe not.



Just hang a mirrored ball over it!😂


Oooh….radiation redistributor!  (not its main function...stretching for a stacked function)
 
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paul wheaton wrote:
tiny carbon footprint heater



I like this one cause it immediately means something to just about anyone. They understand what it is - a heater. They understand its benefit - tiny carbon footprint.
I suppose they might think it's a tiny heater with an unspecified carbon footprint...

In any case, a lot of the suggestions seem too much like the original - something you need to learn more about before you understand what the name means. And people are lazy. If they don't immediately know what something is they tune it out. I know, cause I do it :/
 
Satamax Antone
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paul wheaton wrote:

Satamax Antone wrote:I can tell you the name is copyrighted "de facto"  since the book has been published.



You do know that all of the text is in the public domain, right?



Hi Paul.


The text of the original Evans and Jackson book? Expressly waived? Surprising.

But, even thought, if it is in the public domain. What you plan might face a bigger opponent. The widespread use of the term rocket mass heater and rocket stove. Everywhere these are discussed. The other problem is confusion. People will know those as rocket stove and rocket mass heater, from other sources, "why do you call it something different? Is it different" will be the next question asked.
 
paul wheaton
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Satamax Antone wrote:But, even thought, if it is in the public domain. What you plan might face a bigger opponent. The widespread use of the term rocket mass heater and rocket stove. Everywhere these are discussed.



Everything you are saying is true.  And, at the same time, what does it matter?  

Somebody asked for a new name for whatever their reason is.  It doesn't hurt to have a go.  It probably won't change anything, but it is fun to contemplate.  Maybe we will come up with some so good it will gain some traction - that could be fun.


 
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super efficient, low cost, hidden/contained flame, thermal storage, contact rump warmer
 
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What if all homes had a "twig reburn heater".   And people in apartments would have their different recycling boxes, and they had one box for paper and cardboard.   And then when a cold day rolls around, they could dispose of the paper and cardboard in the TRH.  Eventually, they might need to stop by the store to buy a sack of fuel.  And the fuel they choose is "forest fire prevention" (FFP) - in other words, it is specifically that wood that would have burned in a forest fire, or burned as slash in the winter to prevent forest fires.   So by burning it in a TRH it would actually burn cleaner than in a wild fire or as slash.  

If we count the carbon burned in a TRH, it is about 0.4 tons - down from 27 tons for electric heat.   But if a person used only FFP wood - it might be fair to say that that wood would have burned anyway.  So does that mean it is a zero carbon footprint heater?  Therefore, another name could be:

zero carbon heater

... but that does assume that you only burn FFP wood.

Of course, you could continue this logic by saying that wood and wood products (like paper) are all part of the natural carbon cycle - as opposed to natural gas that is carbon extracted from the earth.  So even if you burn the twigs that fall from the trees in your yard or amazon boxes, you could, from a certain perspective, call it a zero carbon heater.



 
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I think the better name is HEWS heater, for High Efficiency Wood System. Or for fun, call it a Super Hughey system.
 
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The Simple Masonry Stove  (emphasis/bold on Simple so people who know what a masonry stove is are intrigued)

Now I'm trying to think of buzz word worthy things (like a she-shed or cob pizza oven).  Things that level 1 people will glom onto.

Sustainable Wood Heater
Next Gen Wood Heater
99.8% Stove  ("What's the 99.8% mean?"  "How efficient it is!"  "Oh, awesome. Gimme")
99.8% Heater
Better Heater
Better Cheaper Wood Heater
Better Cheaper Heater

From the missus:
Twig torching heater
Twig torcher

 
Jay Angler
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paul wheaton wrote:

So even if you burn the twigs that fall from the trees in your yard or amazon boxes, you could, from a certain perspective, call it a zero carbon heater.

I don't know about "zero", but it is "short cycle" carbon use. Fossil fuels are long cycle taking many lifetimes to go from plant life to fuel. Burning twigs take a blink of a lifetime because they will regrow in a season. Grow the right plants, and they have the ability to take over in a season! Ever seen Himalayan Blackberry grow on the Pacific Wet Coast? It's too prickly for me to want to use it in a RMH, but my Kiwi vine would be a pretty good contender - firewood and fruit on one vine.
 
Phil Swindler
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Didn't this whole thread come about because people were scared off by the "Rocket" part of the name?
Wouldn't a less frightening name emphasize the fact that the flame is contained differently or better?  Or that the flame is controlled differently or better?

S   super efficient
A   appropriate technology
F   flame controlled
E   environmentally friendly

H   hand made
E   extremely versatile
A   anti polluting
T   thermal storage

Or some better acronym.

 
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Glen Thomson wrote:I think the better name is HEWS heater, for High Efficiency Wood System. Or for fun, call it a Super Hughey system.



This is my favorite so far. It's short, simple, and quickly tells what it is. I would just maybe add "burning" to it so that it becomes High Efficiency Wood-burning System. And HEWS is easy to say as well as remember, too.
 
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