Small things matter

[Stinsy]

SWMBO & I were just having a float about in the pool and chatting about Winter plans. From out the blue she said 'can you use some of those storage heater bricks at the woodstove'. I just stood there as she grinned at me. Project ahoy!

What you're talking about is: "Thermal Mass". They don't have to be special bricks any old blocks will do the heavier the better. Do a google image search for "thermal mass fireplace" if you want inspiration.

[Fintray]

SWMBO & I were just having a float about in the pool and chatting about Winter plans. From out the blue she said 'can you use some of those storage heater bricks at the woodstove'. I just stood there as she grinned at me. Project ahoy!

Just not sure if SWMBO will like the potential aesthetics...

[Joeboy]

Block density is key here as is bare block retention as they will not be controlled. For aesthetic, they will be around the back of the stove as a trial. Although a couple will be trialled on top just to get the temp gun out for a play! I have seen the Mexican style adobe emitters, this isn't that.....

Fintray, pmsl! 'Aye love, but it works!!!'

[marshman]

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[Ken]

I totally agree with Roger Marshman. However there is a optimum level of thermal mass largely dependant on solar gain and ambient temps.

If i was thinking about increasing thermal mass my first port of call might be external insulation at least on north -east facing walls.
My second is to use phase changing plaster which give off heat or absorb it at the temp you have chosen.

Ken

[Stinsy]

phase changing plaster

That's a new one on me!

[Mr Gus]

it was covered a few years ago on "st elsewhere" so hopefully some good field data available by now.

[AE-NMidlands]

I totally agree with Roger Marshman. However there is a optimum level of thermal mass largely dependant on solar gain and ambient temps.
If i was thinking about increasing thermal mass my first port of call might be external insulation at least on north -east facing walls.
My second is to use phase changing plaster which give off heat or absorb it at the temp you have chosen.
Ken

My north wall is the party wall of a semi, which is lucky for me (- when they heat their side of the house!) However we have a south facing wall (9" solid brick) which gets very hot in the summer and I have been thinking about EWI for it too, but to make the bedroom (which has no window on that wall) more bearable.
Trouble is, it has a very shallow roof overhang (just half the thickness of the gutter) and the bathroom drainage and a gutter downpipe on the outside of it.

It woukd recess the downstairs and bathroom windows a bit more, which would be beneficial, but the work involved in altering all the rest is putting me off...

[Ken]

Dont give up just yet as you can get grants for insulation of solid walls. Perhaps you could taper the top of insulation to meet the roof line. It would certainly make a large difference.

[Joeboy]

A mate of mine had his villa in Turkey insulated and render skimcoated. Has to change a couple of external cills..Can't tell it's been done.

I'd put a facia extension on the gable end, wouldn't have to be too deep. What depth of insulation are you thinking of?