Jeff,

“There are hot water coils designed to fit inside traditional free-standing woodstoves, and hydronic water jackets designed to fit inside a conventional masonry fireplace”

Brad

Brad,

I have answered this question before.

Stricter Federal government regulations and easy lawsuits against manufacturers have driven all the manufacturers of this type equipment out of the US market.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s there were many manufacturers of wood-fired hot water heaters, hydronic fireplaces, and hot water coil inserts for wood stoves.  Some moved to Mexico and are selling lots of these products in Mexico and others just went out of business.

There may be one or two left, but about the only water heating wood stoves made now are the outdoor wood-fired boilers you see advertised in this magazine that pipe the hot water into the house.

Hope this helps,

Jeff Yago

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Jeff

I am looking at replacing a traditional fireplace with a wood stove insert that can be used in a hydronic floor system.

I looked over your article on the fireplace you installed in your home and have spoke to and web searched for wood stoves that circulate water for heated floors and find only the “long burners” for outside or commercial “furnaces”, nothing that would be appropriate for a great room/ranch application.  Can you point me toward manufacturers that have this type of product?

Thank you.

Mark J. Bechtel

Mark,

Jeff Yago

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Jeff,

Corrie

Corrie,

I have an electric fan device that sits on top of our wood stove and the unit generates electricity from the heat to run the small fan.  Unfortunately, you get only a very tiny amount of electricity from this solid state thermal energy conversion process, and all the electrical equipment must be able to withstand the high temperatures.   Yes, you could get enough electricity from wood stove to do this, but the cost and size of the equipment to do it would be un-realistic.   Your best bet is to spend your money on solar modules.

Good luck,

Jeff Yago

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Jeff,

Jim:

Sounds like you have a real classic and built to last. Unless you are required in your area to add this, I would not waste my time on this stove. If you decide to do anything, the easiest will be one of the kits that fit into the flue on top of the stove.

Good Luck,

Jeff Yago

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