Cool Heat

Yes, even a fireplace can be good for the environment. And although I risk losing all reader interest by writing it, here is the scoop on why the new fireplace at Wimberley is way ahead of conventional units in terms of performance, efficiency, and pollution. And of course, way ahead in terms of the newly un-fashionable carbon emissions and global warming.

1- Closed system; no combustion air from living space. Know the basics of fire? Fuel, spark, and combustion air. That last part, combustion air- know where that comes from in a conventional fireplace? Your lovely fireplace sucks it in from every opening in your home's exterior, and since you tend to have fires when it is very cold outside, it is sucking in very cold air. Actually making most of your house colder, not warmer. The Wimberley fireplace's combustion area is completely sealed off from the room, and intakes combustion air directly from the outside. Say goodbye to cold drafts and high heating costs.

2- Clear ceramic, not glass. This cool new stuff is what seals the combustion chamber from the room. It transmits radiant heat better than glass, so the fireplace warms you more. And it reflects less light, so you can look at a fire and swear there is nothing between you and it, but reach your hand toward it and it bumps into the ceramic.

3- Burns "cleaner" gas. Since it burns gas, not logs, there are no huge particulate emissions like a wood burning fireplace produces. Of course, even burning gas does some damage to the environment, but since it is efficiently heating your house you are reducing the damage done by your home heating system.

4-Blower to distribute heat further. Behind the metal enclosure there is an air space "loop", and a blower which circulates air over the hot metal surface and throws the heated air further into the room.

This photo shows the fireplace just after I installed it, but the ceramic front, gas line, blower electricity, hearth, mantel, and limestone surround are not it. More photos to come when all that is done, hopefully in time for the cold winter weather!