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Summary
part 3 of a 3 part podcast
Paul and Matt continue to discuss RMHs
Paul mentions his disappointment that RMHs aren't more widespread. Matt comments that the total number of people using wood for heating in the USA is under 2%. Since they started developing RMHs, newer more efficient ways to heat have been developed, and the regulatory environment can work against the spread of RMHs. In spite of this Matt sees a lot of people interested in self-sufficiency who are likely to want RMHs.
Addressing a question about RMH builders, Paul says he has a list of experienced builders at Permies. Matt also says people have bought his plans and hired a bricklayer to do the building.
The question is raised about building an RMH in a van. Paul comments that Uncle Mud built a cottage rocket which has a smaller footprint with a cob hat which is not actually touching the barrel but hovering over the top and catching all the radiant heat. Matt makes the point that building a system below a 6" size it gets impractical, which Paul agrees with.
Someone raises the issue about air intakes. There are places which mandate an external air intake. This is a difficult issue with an RMH. Paul thinks it's a terrible idea to seal the house and have an external air intake. Matt has worked around it by running an air intake duct which stops right beside the air intake to the stove and this satisfies most inspectors.
Matt is asked about water heating. His preference is to have an open water tank which heated directly by the riser outlet; if you need to move the hot water elsewhere put a heating coil in the tank. Even simpler, you can just put a big pot on the stove full of water and use that. Paul describes the Lorena which has a hole in which a big pot sits directly over the riser of the J tube. On an 8" system, they can boil 5 gallons in 15 minutes.
Relevant Threads
Rocket Mass Heater Smackdown: J-Tube vs. Batch Box
History and development of Matt Walker's rocket mass heaters
3d Plans - Rocket Cooktop with Lorena Option
Rocket Mass Heaters forum
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