Any of you Guru's wanna help AJ ?

Sounds like a great idea. I just wanted to be sure you all saw it.


https://permies.com/t/33016/ma/building-rmh-understanding

Thanks, Miles!!

Drum me up an expert -- please!

I promise not be bothersome or cumbersome. Or any other negative -somes there may be.

A.J.

Ok -- how about I just pose the questions in this thread?

Why do folks prefer rmh to wood burning stove? What makes rmh better?

A.J. Gentry wrote:Ok -- how about I just pose the questions in this thread?

Why do folks prefer rmh to wood burning stove? What makes rmh better?

First I have to assume that by wood stove we are talking about a steel box with little mass. A masonry wood heater and a RMH would have similar benefits.

- The big one is a lot less wood for the same heat. As little as 1/10 th wood.
- Cleaner burning. Just steam and co2 out the stack
- short burn period, burn for 3 or 4 hours then use the heat from the mass for 12 to 24 hours.

[quote=A.J. Gentry
Why do folks prefer rmh to wood burning stove? What makes rmh better?


I've been asking people about rocket mass heaters, informing them, educating them. I've found that people who are interested in RMH tend to have a different mindset. These people are willing to try new things, experiment and not be concerned with common public opinion.

The people who prefer wood stoves are the people who don't want to deviate from the normal, who want tried and tested equipment, who are concerned with what other people tend to think about them.

I've found it is really the mindset more than anything else.

Brett -- thank you for this. I think that is a very sound observation.

I wonder if there is a way to compel some of the folks who don't want to deviate from the norm to question the status quo. It seems to me that during the 70s some people decided to question more. I suppose that could be chalked up to that specific decade.

It is usually during times of economic duress that people are squeezed into finding solutions to problems they didn't worry about much when things were easier.

More and more people, as times get more challenging, are going to be seeking cheaper and more sustainable ways to take care of themselves.

I have been thinking and discussing with critical thinkers how to change the mindset, beliefs, and values of a typical 'office drone'.

* For the older age demographics it often takes shock, pain or economic hardship for change to occur.
* For the middle age demographics is takes even more shock, pain or economic hardship for change to occur. This group often has the most invested in the status quo and is the least likely to change.
* For the younger age demographics I have found that example and demonstration work well. This is if you can get them away from a computer, cell phone, Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

What I try and do is plant the seeds by demonstration. I show them by example of how I've done it. I then expect the seed and change to germinate for a some time (see above demographics) before sprouting. I do see people drive down my street, hit the brakes, stop the car, and chat when they see my rainwater harvesting system on the side of the house. I'll show my rocket mass heater to people and they are "wow, that is cool!" Now they won't go home and build one. Yet it is now a seed in their mind. I also like to do the 'everyone else is doing it' I try and find like minded people get them together and then introduce one uninitiated mind to the group. The uninitiated will then stop and think "why haven't I thought of this".

Who would have thought so much psychology was involved?