~ SSRsi's Primitive Heat & Power Page ~

The one good thing about modern civilization is the technological developments that make most of these techniques irrelevant. Still, technology often comes at a high price ($$$), so here's how they used to do it..

Intuition ~ Creativity ~ Adaptability
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MAKING A FIREPLACE ~ Construction - Miscellaneous Odd Forms - Facings and Mantels - Mending Poor Fireplaces - Fireplace Accessories - Building the Fire

Romans in Britain - Central Heating - Hypocaust To most people, their knowledge of the Romans was that they 'invented central heating.' Not the type we know today, but a form of underfloor heating that also warmed the walls. There were no such items as radiators in the Iron Age, but they did manage to use a form of heating that was radical for its day. Up until the Romans arrived, the British only knew how to heat one room by using a fire. See also: Roman hypocaust

I Heat my house by burning corn Corn stoves have been used in the South and Southwest since 1969, when the stove was invented by Carroll Buckner of Arden, NC. The most famous demonstration of the stove was in the Oval Office, installed during the administration of President Jimmy Carter.

How to Burn Wood Safely in Emergency Situations Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Canadian wood heat industry have teamed up to prepare this list of important safety tips for people using a wood stove or fireplace for emergency heating during the power interruption. Excellent info for EVERYONE.

Choosing and using your wood stove in today's environment. Pretty good article for someone in the market.

Installing a Woodstove. An excellent article with detailed, easy-to-figure-out graphics and very fast loading.

Heat Values In Wood: Covers 27 species. Includes density & weight/cord, BTU’s & Recoverable BTU’s/cord, and Units needed to produce 1million BTU’s. Wow.

How to start a wood fire. I used to think that everybody knew how to start a fire in a fireplace. Then my friend filled the house with smoke… Damper? What’s a damper?

Five essentials to getting the most out of your woodpile. No matter how much you admire the sight of a cut and split stack drying in the autumn air, you owe it to yourself to get by with as short a stack as is prudent for the winter in your locale. Here, then, are five strategies for milking the most Btu's out of every stick you burn. Great article by Ike Johnson.

WOOD BURNING Guidelines - Reducing Creosote. Fairly decent article by Shari Blank on an extremely important issue.

Coal Stoves and Inserts. In certain parts of the country, coal is popular as a home heating fuel. Coal comes in different grades, the best grade for home heating being "hard coal" or anthracite, of which the best varieties are mined in Eastern Pennsylvania. Because coal is a dense and powerful fuel, and burns extremely efficient, a ton of coal can produce as much or more heat than a cord of wood and substantially more (almost twice as much) as a ton of Pellets.

COAL BURNING TIPS. Coal fires are not as easy to start as wood fires and the ease of burning will vary with different types and makes of stoves. The burning of coal requires patience and a specific and regular procedure of loading, shaking, adjusting, etc. If you do not follow the right procedure the coal fire will go out. This can happen in a short period of time and once the extinction process has begun, it is almost impossible to reverse. This article will help you keep the home fires burning (safely).

Heating with Wood: Producing, Harvesting and Processing Firewood, and Chimneys: Their Installation and Upkeep [PDF] hot topics from the Chimney Safety Institute of America

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.

  • Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Hazards - How to keep your family safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide.
  • Avoiding Chimney-Related Dangers - 23,600 reasons to have your chimney maintained regularly by CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps®.
  • Chimney Fires - can be very dangerous. What causes chimney fires, what you should do during a chimney fire, and how to prevent them.
  • Common Questions and Answers - Here's our FAQ on chimneys, as well as a short form to forward any additional questions you may have to us.
  • The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Program - The CSIA Recommends you hire only CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps ® to work on your home.
  • Fireplace Overview - When most people think of chimneys, they think of fireplaces. Get a basic anatomy lesson, safety information, and a list of terms.
  • Why Fireplaces Work (And Why They Sometimes Don't) - The basic priciples of fireplace operation and some troubleshooting tips.
  • How to Select Firewood - Using the right firewood plays an important part in the safe use of fireplaces and woodstoves. Find out the best type of wood to burn, and how to know what to buy.
  • How To Find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in Your Town - The CSIA recommends you hire only CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps ® to work on your home. Use this form to search our nationwide database of CSIA Certified Sweeps.
  • Proper Venting of Gas-Fueled Appliances - Gas has become a popular heating fuel. Find out the precautions and other important information about venting gas properly.
  • Gas Logs - A Popular Option - Along with gas furnaces, gas fireplace logs continue gain converts. Here is the information you need to help you make decisions about gas logs.
  • Waterproofing Your Chimney - Water causes more damage to chimneys than most people would ever suspect. Learn how to keep your chimney in tip-top shape by keeping water out.
  • Chimney Liners - There are several different types of chimney liners. Find out what they are, as well as the strengths and uses of each.
  • Chimney Inspections Explained. The National Fire Protection Association has set standards for chimney inspections
  • Dryer Vent Maintenance - The Consumer Product Safety Commission has discovered that dryer vents are causing an increasing number of house fires.
  • The Facts About Chimney Fires: Causes & Cures
  • Safe Home Heating: Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Hazards
  • Annual Servicing of Oil-Fired Appliance Chimneys using a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®
  • Gas Appliances and Your Masonry Chimney
  • Care and Maintenance of Factory Built Fireplaces
  • Installing Wood Stoves and Inserts Into Masonry Fireplaces
  • Water and Your Masonry Chimney
  • How Your Chimney Really Works ... and Why It Sometimes Doesn't
  • Relining Your Oil-Fired Appliance Chimney
  • The Importance of Flue Lining in Your Masonry Chimney

POWER

HP's History of Water Machines Water wheels are a class of old machines which were developed since 2000 years. The first account of a water wheel combined with a bucket chain was given by Philon of Byzanz. Also Covered are:

Water turbines   Other water engines   Systematic research on water engines   Piston pumps Archimedian screws   Other types of pumps   The Hydrovolve engine

The Dutch Windmill Windmills are said to have existed in Holland from about 1200. The first record we have of drainage mills dates from 1414 (Reijerwaard). Before those days, windmills are mentioned, but these must have been corn mills.

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