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Permaculture, Remodeling, Rocket Mass Heater, Spring, Summer

Rocket Mass Heater Floorplans

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Article written by Dale Van Camp (co-owner Van Camp Farm)

Basic diagram of a rocket mass heater
Basic diagram of a rocket mass heater

 

Rocket Mass Heaters are an efficient and affordable way to heat cabins/homes.  After listening to Paul Wheaton (at Permies.com)several months ago on The Survival Podcast (Episode-1243- Paul Wheaton on Rocket Mass Heating) I was hooked on the idea that this is how I wanted to heat our farmhouse.

Experts in Rocket Mass Heaters
Experts in Rocket Mass Heaters
These are a great source of information
These are a great source of information

Read through some of the material here(http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp) and it will give you an idea on what they are and how they basically operated.  I purchased the 4 DVD set (Wood Burning Stoves 2.0) and watched them and took notes.  I know I can build this!
Ernie and Erica Wisner put on a great presentation all things about Rocket Mass Heaters.  Do not attempt to build one of these heaters without watching these videos and reading their books.

Building the Rocket Mass Heater
Building the Rocket Mass Heater

I already have about ½ of the materials I need to start fabricating this heater.  From what the Wisner’s say, it’s best to build the heater in the spring so that it is all hardened up by the fall when you want to start using it.

Placement of this Rocket Mass Heater will be starting where the existing chimney is in the living room and then it will extend along the wall, under the window by the kitchen/dining room table.  The barrel (the hottest item) will be located just out from the existing chimney so it is more centrally located.  Look at the following graphic of my plan.

This is basically how our current layout of our farmhouse.
This is basically how our current layout of our farmhouse.

 

Here is what I want to accomplish this spring/summer:

After knocking out some more walls, and adding the Rocket Mass Heater, I hope to have a floor plan similar to this by the end of the summer.
After knocking out some more walls, and adding the Rocket Mass Heater, I hope to have a floor plan similar to this by the end of the summer.

Here are some examples of compete Rocket Mass Heaters and how beautiful they can be:
 Beautiful Rocket Mass Heaters

Beautiful Rocket Mass Heaters
Beautiful Rocket Mass Heaters