Yes, it's winter

[growler_south]

So it finally got cold enough to crank up the coal stove, though Brian insists on calling it a wood burner and freaking out whenever I put coal into it. Says it makes him feel positively industrial revolution or something.

Anyway, the delightful fireplace heats the house (as long as we point a fan at it to stir up the air) and boils the water in the hot water cylinder. Literally boils it, with a sudden and terrifying gu-BLUP! sound and accompanying screams from whoever is in the shower, as their flesh is blanched from their bones.

Posted via LjBeetle

Comments

[randomcub.livejournal.com]

*giggle* I want a stove!

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

Brian ... Says it makes him feel positively industrial revolution or something.

That was my thought too ...

Boiling shower water ... eek!
Do you use this in the summer as well? ... Or a different method of heating shower water? Or just cold showers in the summer?

[sinnabor.livejournal.com]

The "wetback" stove has a heat exchanger that's plumbed directly into the (otherwise electric) hot water heater in the cabinet just to the right. It's electric most of the time, and the stove just takes the water up to much higher temperatures than the thermostat would.

So our hot water is nearly boiling some of the time. And there's another widget downstairs called a "temperer" that automagically mixes it down to non-searing temperatures, more or less. It's mechanical, so it doesn't respond instantly.

Oh, and the whole hot water/temperer setup is run at low pressure (like 10psi), so there's a pressure reducer and a pressure relief valve.

This whole crazy thing is a particularly kiwi invention, not generally used in other parts of the world, and no longer installed in new houses.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

That makes sense, I knew that you wouldn't be heating water by fire in the summer.
Thanks for the explanation.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

There is something so comforting to me about real fire heating. I've no idea why, but the flames and the act of creating the fire, just do something.

Cheers

[whiskerfish.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I love that thing.
I'm surprised Robbie hasn't tried to sell me on this thing yet.
He'd love some open flame in our little tinderbox.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Sounds like your hot water system could stand some temperature regulation....

[sinnabor.livejournal.com]

It has a "temperer" that's supposed to limit the hot water to something just above where the water heater's thermostat is set - but it's mechanical, and not all that quick to respond.

Except for some reason the laundry sink is plumbed in directly to the untempered hot water, so you can dispense near-boiling water there. Not sure why you'd want to, and it far exceeds the washing machine's specifications.

[prisoncitybear.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, we're doing that outside now that it's finally fucking spring up here.
I do miss our fireplace though during the summer. The house smells great when we have a fire going.
Right now, I am sitting here in undies dying with the unexpected heatwave, thankfully over tomorrow. 92 degrees F for a high today.
Thank goodness for AC.
T

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

As someone who has two wood stoves, there's little that can beat having actual fire in a box for heating a home. However, being that it got into the high 90s today before summer has even arrived, the last thing I need is coal (or wood) heat!

It looks like you have one of those "giant match" butane lighters as well. I modded mine to be more of a flamethrower rather than a mere "lighter." :D

As for the water temp booster, that would be a lot of fun with a hydronic heating system.