How to incorporate wood stove into RMH also what do you do about wiring in walls?

Is it time and elbow grease effective to modify an ineffecient, cheap old wood stove and incorporate it into an RMH?

Also, what do you do about electrical wiring/outlets in the wall you want to put an RMH on?

Considering the amount of modification that would be needed to effectively incorporate an existing woodstove into an RMH vs. the effort of building the RMH from scratch, I don't think it would be worthwhile in most circumstances. Generally you will be able to get the exact layout/configuration you need better if you don't have old sheetmetal to work around.

Wiring in walls should not be an issue, as the walls themselves need to be protected from heat as much as the wires do. Outlets are another matter, and you may need to either relocate the outlets higher in the wall if practical, or make a "pocket" in the back of the mass bench that lets you access the outlet. Even if you eliminate an outlet, you need an accessible junction box where the wires meet.

Nancy Vail : ( I Think ) -This should be a good link to show what is possible when attempting to Adapt a Wood Stove to gain much of the efficiencies of a RMH-

Rocket Mass Heater .

http://www.handprintpress.com/authors/increase-wood-stove-efficiency-construction-details-videos/


It is absolutely necessary to line the original Wood Stove on it's Inside fire box with Fire brick or other refractory material. This immediately reduces the amount

of Wood that can be burned- and therefor its output, further reducing its abilities as a Space heater .

I would definitely consider this example as an advanced build- something to consider for heating a small space- and best attempted with some help - after living

with a more conventionally built RMH .



Consider this a minor addition to Glens comments- I agree starting with a black piece of paper would seem to serve you better ! With luck you will be able to re-

use the existing chimney after you remove the old Wood Stove- A re-purposed well made Chimney should save you the largest part of the cost of your future

RMH Build.


For the Good of the Crafts . Big AL

Thank You everyone! Hopefully I'll get better at searching through the site.

I only glanced over the material in the links, but I'm pretty sure after looking at them that I'll look at the stoves
As things I can cut up for parts to "accessorize" my build (whenever I can manage it).

Any extra issues if you run the bench under windows?

Also was thinking of running some kind of tubing through the bench to recirculate water
for cooling in summer and maybe additional heating when it's cold.

A) Good notion?
B) Don't even think about it, it won't end well notion ?
C) (Said in Frasier voice) MY GOD WOMAN! STEP AWAY FROM THE TOOLS BEFORE YOU
POKE A HOLE IN THE SPACE/TIME CONTINUUM!" notion?

Nancy Vail : Besides welcoming you to Permies.com and our sister site Richsoil.com, we should have included a link to this Thread to make your Future

Explorations a little easier.


https://permies.com/t/43625/introductions/Universal


A needed ist step is to share your location, ( Just the Township/State -IF you are comfortable with it !) which gives us an idea of your winter heating load

In extreme cold climates, warm moist air will cool and condense water onto your window surfaces and being cooler and heavier will tend to continue to fail

to the floor generally cooling your structure. a set of heavy Drapes or adjustable window insulation is a good way to deal with this issue- Your RMH can be

close to- but not directly under those drapes !


Even 2' away should be far enuf, Many people use Comforters or Futon mattress-like pads to save heat in their RMHs Thermal Mass Bench ether to have

a warm spot for a time out -One person ( or more!) personal snuggle, or just to concentrate and continue to store that heat when your room temperature

is toasty

A minor note of caution, when your Bench padding starts to smell like freshly ironed laundry, it is time to uncover that area, Promptly !


Speaking about Prompt ,It only takes a micro section for water to flash to steam expanding 1700 times in volume, Here at Permies we call this an "Boom/Squish''

Event -with you being the Squish - Think Boston Marathon Bombing- only with more Deaths and Full Thickness/ Full Body burns !

This is way past B) and practically riding around in the breast pocket of C)


If you want a Visual, Stronger cautionary tale - goto U-Tube and check out the - '' Myth Busters exploding water heater episodes " .


Yes this type of system can be made to work, it should be Designed by an Expert, installed by an expert and monitored by a highly trained person

24/7 during the 'Heating season' Also in most locations this will end-up bringing you to the Attention of the " Department of making you Sad ''-

Complete with Licensing and Annual Inspections and Fees !

Please be sure that you HAVE come to the Right Place . Unless your climate /location/building type and family needs creates a great demand for

space heating we will be able to satisfy your Heating/Cooling and Humidity issues and needs with a conventional and simple RMH .

Remember ALL Your Fellow Members started where you are now, For the Good of the Crafts ! Big AL