Re: [GBlist] Heating backup for masonry fireplace

[Sacie H Lambertson <dlambert@grasshoppernet.com>]

Bob, for your weekend house you might consider building a superinsulated
cabin with insulated shutters or Rolladen for the windows and glazed doors
and simply close it up when you're not there.  The shutters could keep out
intruders as well.  With an alternative plan in mind in case, you could
monitor the temps as it gets cold to see how well it works and take the
fall back if necessary.  The pipes could be heat taped for instance, a
pretty simple solution except that you would have to be able to get to them
easily.
	Place a masonry type stove in the center of your cabin, build in another
heat sink to absorb as much of that sun as possible when you are there
(concrete floors unless they have heat tubes in them likely won't get
sufficiently warm from such exposure in the winter time).  Investigate the
idea of a simple solar panel (passive not PV) to bring heated water to a
baseboard system to keep minimum temps in the cabin (and could provide at
least supplementary heat for you domestic hot water needs as well).   Be
sure to check out how much sun you can realistically expect to use at your
site--.  You can always fall back on a propane fired hot water heating
system as well.  If your place is well insulated and tight it wouldn't take
much to keep it above freezing.
				Sacie Lambertson
There are folks who suggest it is possible to not have to use 'outside'
heat at all if you are in the right place and design the structure
appropriately.

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