in my old house (1866) we had four fireplaces with mantles mirrors etc. three of them were fitted with buckeye inserts designed for coal burning. we used one of them regularly for heat and fun. i had one flue fire, (that was exciting), and one wood splitting accident in which a piece of wood shot horizontally into my shin and in a few minutes had a huge lump that rivaled my kneecap for size. then i learned about health risks for asthmatic children and wood burning appliances.

so when we built our new home in 1991 it was without any wood burning appliances.

it does have excellent passive solar capabilities though, and in the middle of the winter the sun from the skylights above our stairwell will reach all the way over to the north wall inside the house. it is literally brighter in the winter than in the summer.

i dont miss the sawing chopping and splitting.

it was fun for a while though.

now we make fires outside when we camp out.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.