Rocket Mass Heater
The Rocket Mass Heater is an updated masonry heater
A masonry heater is a wood burning heater made of brick or stone that stores heat in the masonry structure that continues to release heat gradually even after the fire is no longer burning. They have been used for thousands of years by various cultures around the world. The RMH was invented in the 1980’s.
with a rocket stove
A rocket stove is an ultra-efficient, wood-burning stove utilizing a thermal siphon.
made of inexpensive materials that require moderate skills.
Traditionally masonry heaters have had high up-front costs such as cost of materials, specialized foundations to support their weight, and highly-skilled masons to build.
The specifics of our rocket mass heater.
Our farm house is made of stone. There are stone walls around the perimeter of the building as well as one internal wall that runs the length of the building. Our rocket mass heater is located next to the center of the internal wall. The exhaust runs parallel to the wall and transfers heat to the wall, incorporating it into the “mass” of our heater. As we learn more about the operations of the heater (for example how long it takes to load the wall with heat), we will share that information here.