This stove, equipped with the ability to heat water, was installed when the house was constructed in 1980, and has worked great ever since.
It is used for all cooking and space heating, and most of the water heating. It has proven to be reliable, very comfortable, and reduces electricity use.
A wall of cinder blocks — with sand inside and cement on the outside — form a thermal mass on the side and back of the stove to collect and slowly release heat, improving performance.
The house takes advantage of passive solar through large windows on the south wall.
The house also has spray foam insulation with batt insulation: R40 in the walls, R50 in the ceiling.
