Does anyone else still use a fireplace?

SlavOz on 06/10/2022 - 14:26

My appreciation for fireplaces really went up this winter. I used it as a main source of heating and it was ridiculously cheaper than previous winters when I would rely on our ducted heating (even with solar panels installed the cost was still absurd).

Can't imagine the ongoing energy crisis (which will almost certainly get worse) is giving people confidence that their "traditional" electric heating is going to be a viable option forever. The thought of people having to ration or cut back on heating during cold winter months is pathetic in a first-world country so I won't be putting my trust in sensible energy policy keeping prices low.

Does anyone still use a fireplace, or is this like people who use house phones or dial-up internet?

Poll Options

  • 125
    Yes - I use it regularly
  • 36
    Yes but I rarely use it
  • 173
    No, but I wish I had one
  • 170
    No, don't need it, don't want it
Home & Garden

Comments

          • pegaxs on 07/10/2022 - 07:48
            +15

            @SlavOz:

            We all need to make sacrifices and learn to co-exist.

            So, the sacrifice I must make is to live in the fear of waking up one winters morning and going in to wake my daughter for school, only to find her lifeless body, but you know, so long as you are “comfortable”.

            Seems a pretty one sided “give-and-take” if I need to run air purifiers, PM alarms, force her to wear a mask to bed and be on constant state of alert all night just so you can “be comfortable”. Where’s your “sacrifice” and your “give-and-take” in all of this?

            And how did I know you were going to turn this into some lame commentary about “LoCkDoWnS rObBeD MuH FrEeDuMbZ” shit? People who have fireplaces have been around a lot longer than Covid lockdowns and I am sure you entitled, polluting arseholes will be around for a lot longer.

            Why is it when you are asked to do something to help the wider community, it’s “bUt BuT, mUh FrEeDuMbZ!!1!1!”, but when you want the community to do something for you it’s all “these are just sacrifices that you need to make…”

            If ever I was to be convinced that you are a forum troll, then this has just sealed it for me.

            • ozhunter on 07/10/2022 - 10:54
              -3

              @pegaxs:

              Seems a pretty one sided “give-and-take” if I need to run air purifiers, PM alarms,

              Well, it is your daughter, not his.

              force her to wear a mask to bed

              So now you don't want kids to wear masks when it comes to your own…I thought it's not that big of a deal…With covid still around, doesn't it make it more worthwhile then?

              Since they have all gone quiet now, I don't think "force" means what you think it means…

              • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 11:05
                -4

                @ozhunter: Apparently making the whole country wear a mask for a few years is just sensible science. Not a big deal.

                Pegasx making his daughter wear a mask on the odd occasion that smoke builds up during winter = "Complete outrage, why should I have to stand for this, totally unacceptable, how dare you! "

                Damn anti-maskers.

            • BankstownMoeyDW on 07/10/2022 - 10:57
              +2

              @pegaxs: Do you have to do that upper/lower thing in every single post? We get it, everyone you quote is an idiot and you're above all of them.

              People who do that idiot impersonation thing in real life too are usually annoying AF too.

            • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 10:59
              -1

              @pegaxs:

              only to find her lifeless body

              lol is that the conversion rate now? Neighbours lighting a fire to stay warm = your daughter will die :L

              I think you're being a tad overdramatic there bud. Again, way to prove you're just a product of 3 years of mindless propaganda. You want to take people's fundamental liberties away by conjuring up some scare campaigns with slogans like "THINK OF ALL THE DEAD BODIES YOU'RE CAUSING!" Save it bud, we've heard it all before.

              Did you really not learn anything over the last few years? We acted like going outside without a vax or a mask was akin to genocide but eventually people faced their fear and now most of us (the normal ones at least) have learned that it's not so dangerous after all. A little perspective goes a long way.

              I guess we found the Karen from this story It's people like you who are dividing and dobbing in the community while the community just wants to live their life.

              • pegaxs on 07/10/2022 - 11:27
                +11

                @SlavOz: You're barely even worth replying to, especially with your Timon and Pumba fanbois adding their worthless 2 cents. Just waiting for Gervais to pop in with his 2 bob "hyuck hyuck" words of wisdom.

                I just find your take on reality hilariously and ironically hypocritical.

                Damn anti-maskers.

                At what time were you asked to wear a mask in your own house, while you were sleeping to protect yourself from Covid? Being told to stay home or wear a mask in populated areas =/= having burnt dog shit and wood forced into your living space that you have no choice but to breathe in.

                Why put a chimney on if that smoke is ok? Why not just contain it to inside your own house?

                your daughter will die

                I tell you what, once you eventually have sex (if) and you do end up having a child (god forbid), come back and tell me again how you feel while you are sitting in the emergency room at the hospital with a child turning blue because they can barely breathe and their medication isnt working, all because some entitled arsehole wants to "be comfortable". Let's see you in that moment, how you feel about other people's comfort levels as you're holding your child starving for oxygen and see how much you care about it then.

                "Oh well, I'm sorry you died, petal, but you know, Mr Smith at No. 56 does have a RiGhT to be comfortable in their own home…" And their little tomb stone could read "Made the ultimate sacrifice so Mr. Smith at No. 56 could keep warm as is HiS RiGhTz."

                But, you know, keep building those Covid lockdown/Anti-mask/VaCCiNe BaD strawmen :) Maybe put a few on the fire to "keep warm" you know with "YoUr RiGhTz" and all.

                • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 11:38
                  -1

                  @pegaxs:

                  At what time were you asked to wear a mask in your own house

                  Masks were mandatory in hostels, hospitals, churches, and other community-owned spaces which are home for a lot of people. Didn't affect me personally but I felt for those who had to wear one almost round the clock. Not only that, they were often berated, humiliated, slurred, and bullied into wearing it.

                  Time for you to get a taste of the beautiful science you've been pushing onto everyone. It's just 3 months of the year mate, masks save lives so just wear it and keep quiet like a good citizen.

                  • pegaxs on 07/10/2022 - 11:48
                    +8

                    @SlavOz:

                    …in your own house

                    Christ, can you not read? I wasn't talking about anywhere else. At what point were YOU forced, by the government, to "wear a mask", in your own bedroom, while you went to sleep? Answer: never.

                    Anyway, if you are going to make this about "anti-mask" bullshit and lockdowns, I'm not here for that.

                    You're all about your "rights and freedoms" until someone else asks you for some in return. So much for your "give-and-take".

                    • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 12:20
                      -1

                      @pegaxs:

                      At what point were YOU forced, by the government, to "wear a mask", in your own bedroom

                      Nobody is forcing you or your daughter to wear a mask either. It's your choice. Nobody is forcing you to use an air purifier either. It's just a self-imposed precaution you take as a responsible parent, and I commend you for that.

                      The science is settled. Wearing a mask saves lives and it's really not that inconvenient. It's such a small price to pay to protect your daughter's life, I'm really not sure why you're opposed to it.

                      Don't wear one if you find it untenable. But don't come crawling to hospital taking up precious healthcare resources because you refused to take basic precautions to protect yourself. Why not set an example about those "consequences" you keep warning other people about?

                      • Ughhh on 07/10/2022 - 13:37
                        +3

                        @SlavOz: Please make an urgent appointment with your applied kinesiologist and show them your post.

                • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 11:56
                  -1

                  @pegaxs: Do you treat drivers and construction workers the same way? As someone with severe asthma as well, car fumes and dust from building sites have always been huge triggers for me. It's basically to the point where I can never go to busy areas like the CBD during peak hour. It's just something I put up with out of respect for the fact that this world is bigger than me.

                  Stopping people from driving or building houses might make me breathe a little easier but it's massively selfish since those cars would be carrying medicine or supplies to people in need, or those houses could be used to provide essential shelter for people.

                  If everyday pollution is bothering you that much, you might need to look into moving to more isolated areas where the air is cleaner. Living in a crowded suburb and expecting everyone else to adjust to your preference is just massive entitlement.

            • Caped Baldy on 07/10/2022 - 15:33
              +1

              @pegaxs:

              LoCkDoWnS rObBeD MuH FrEeDuMbZ

              This joker did think he was entitled to abuse fast food staff..

              • pegaxs on 07/10/2022 - 17:08

                @Caped Baldy: And dont forget the nurses… Gotta hate on them nurses in a pandemic as well…

          • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 15:24
            +4

            @SlavOz:

            We put up with 3 years of not being able to so much as go outside for a jog

            This is news to me. I don't think there was a single day in WA that I couldn't leave the house for exercise. I guess people who contracted covid had to stay in for a couple of weeks but hardly three years. Are you bad boy bubby?

            • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 16:28
              -1

              @us3rnam3tak3n: Yeah, there was a 1 hour allowance each day for sunlight and exercise. Basically less than what criminally insane prisoners get in solitary confinement.

              For those who thought there was a grace period in that 1 hour, the police helicopters and $3,000+ fines said otherwise.

              The media called this "progress".

              • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 16:32

                @SlavOz: Glad I'm in WA then. The media I read didn't say anything about this three year lockdown on the east coast.

                • SBOB on 07/10/2022 - 16:44
                  +2

                  @us3rnam3tak3n:

                  anything about this three year lockdown on the east coast.

                  Just mainstream media cover up…..clearly… leftist corporate woke media not telling you the truth I imagine.

                  Wouldn't be anything to do with slavoz and his 'facts' that contain mostly hyperbole.

              • SBOB on 07/10/2022 - 16:43

                @SlavOz:

                We put up with 3 years of not being able to so much as go outside for a jog

                Yeah, there was a 1 hour allowance each day for sunlight and exercise

                Remind us again what area of the country had this level of covid lockdown a for 3 years running?

                (Not saying that areas in Sydney didn't have 5km rules, curfews or 1 hour 'exercise' limit….Im just wondering what part of the country you seem to reside in where you seem to have this having occurred for a period of 3 years)

                • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2022 - 16:46

                  @SBOB: It's self-imposed & on-going but he's bitter about it ….. go figure!

                • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 17:07
                  -1

                  @SBOB: It was 3 years off and on, mostly on. Even when total lockdown wasnt in force, most events were still cancelled, travel not allowed, no weddings or funerals, so on and so forth.

                  To try and downplay the severity and impact this had on people's lives is terribly inconsiderate.

                  • SBOB on 07/10/2022 - 17:11
                    +2

                    @SlavOz:

                    To try and downplay the severity and impact this had on people's lives is terribly inconsiderate

                    Whereas trying to exaggerate to make a point is clealy just you being a sensitive considerate person?
                    :/

                    Accurate representation of the facts would make your claims more valid, justified and useful in reenforcing your point. But somehow that seems to escape you.

                    • SlavOz on 08/10/2022 - 10:14
                      -2

                      @SBOB: Australia had some of the longest recorded lockdowns in the world, and our rules went far beyond what most countries did (particularly the use of violence to enforce them).

                      There is no need to exxagerate. Lives were ruined due to lockdown, businesses were bankrupted, relationships destroyed, children's learning and social skills severely stunted, people were unable to see their dying relatives or even attend their funeral.

                      Imagine how callous and insensitive you'd have to be to pretend this was just an exaggeration. Glad it was just a 3 year holiday for you but some people legitimately suffered due to Australia's totalitarian fling which you disgustingly defend.

                      • SBOB on 08/10/2022 - 12:40
                        +2

                        @SlavOz:

                        There is no need to exxagerate

                        And yet, here we are….with you continuing to do just that

                        Thanks for yet another weekly lesson in 'SlavOz guide to Irony' Udemy course.

          • barghunt1 on 08/10/2022 - 18:45
            +1

            @SlavOz: I wouldn’t be commenting if it was every once in a while. For me it’s every single day of the year. It would be 30 degrees outside and she has her chimney on. Not normal.

        • ForkSnorter on 07/10/2022 - 07:15
          +4

          Smoke is also carcinogenic. Smoke from fireplaces shouldn’t be too bad if the houses aren’t too close to each other. But I hear it’s really bad in places like Armidale, NSW. I recommend you invest in a good air purifier.

          • pegaxs on 07/10/2022 - 07:51
            +4

            @ForkSnorter: Doesn’t matter if we get cancer… it’s a “sacrifice” we need to make to co-exist, apparently…

            And having spent some time in places like Armidale and Walcha and places like Lithgow, I’m glad I live where I do, but up there in winter, you can’t walk around at night without breathing protection, especially if there is little to no wind to remove the smoke.

        • barghunt1 on 08/10/2022 - 18:42

          In this country if you fart wrong there is some regulation but none for chimney owners there untouchable.

        • lancesta on 09/10/2022 - 02:16

          Tbh I can agree with the idea that lots of people burn wood improperly and have no idea about the effects they're causing.

          But like if it's hot, burning well and done at night, assuming that your house isn't like at the bottom of a hill it isn't always that bad.

          I often do see some rediculously Smokey fires though

    • barghunt1 on 08/10/2022 - 18:41

      100% agree.

  • brendanm on 06/10/2022 - 17:56
    +2

    Wood fires are glorious, miss having one.

  • ozhunter on 06/10/2022 - 18:52

    I used it as a main source of heating and it was ridiculously cheaper than previous winters

    Was our only source of heating when growing up. It was free from all the dead trees on our property but that's not taking into account chopping the wood, collecting it, setting up the fireplace etc. good times.

    Then again, the convenience of electric/ducted heating is very nice.

  • pharkurnell on 06/10/2022 - 18:55
    +2

    Wouldnt be without my coonara in winter… love it.

  • core101 on 06/10/2022 - 19:14
    -2

    Wood heaters such as Jindara work great, with availability of free pallets, can provide (near) free heat.

    • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 15:28
      +2

      I hope there are no nasty treatments in that pallet timber. They must burn through pretty rapidly. I grew up with a pot belly that was mostly stoked with jarrah.

  • Some Human on 06/10/2022 - 20:31

    I use a woodheater during winter on the weekend (Friday night to Monday arvo non stop). It's a butt tonne of work to prepare the wood, but it's worth it. I have enough to last a few years.
    My split system gets used when I only want heat for couple of hours, or if it's not super cold, or if I'm feeling lazy.

    Almost everyone in my area uses wood to heat their home, as we're not in the burbs.

    Saved me lots of money so far.

  • Keplaffintech on 06/10/2022 - 22:42
    +4

    Fireplaces/wood heaters are very cost effective but extremely bad for the environment. Choose your priorities.

    • altomic on 06/10/2022 - 22:48
      +2

      The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season approximately 24,300,000 hectares (60,000,000 acres) to 33,800,000 hectares (84,000,000 acres).

      yes, the Fireplaces/wood heater is extremely bad for the environment

      • Keplaffintech on 06/10/2022 - 22:52
        +3

        that's a bit like saying its ok for the environment to buy a new petrol car because most cars on the road are still petrol cars.

        • altomic on 06/10/2022 - 23:06
          +2

          it's not like saying that at all

          • Keplaffintech on 06/10/2022 - 23:07
            -1

            @altomic: actually its a lot like saying it at all

            • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 11:04
              +1

              @Keplaffintech: No it's not like that at all.

              If petrol was just burning away naturally in environment and you took some and burned it in your car instead then that would be similar.

              But petrol is not just burning away naturally.

      • Keplaffintech on 06/10/2022 - 23:02
        +1

        hi SlavOz can I get your autograph??

      • Ughhh on 07/10/2022 - 01:03
        +1

        Damn, this life/planet must've treated you bad.

      • s1Lence on 07/10/2022 - 18:25
        +1

        sounds like by using a fireplace you are the one stifling our progression since you're using ancient technology in place of our superior modern ones that are better for your health

        • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 18:31
          -1

          Let me know how progressive you feel when energy prices soar and you're warming yourself by blowing hot air into your hands.

          • s1Lence on 07/10/2022 - 19:08
            +1

            @SlavOz: Thank science for solar panels. Falling that I just wear a coat, doesn't get cold enough for me to warrant using the heater.

    • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 11:00
      -1

      but extremely bad for the environment.

      lol, what. No they are not.

    • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 12:42

      To be fair, in terms of the greenhouse effect, fireplaces are very good, as the fuel is renewable (not fossil fuels removed from beneath the ground).
      But in terms of the effects of humans and animals needing to breathe the air, yes not so good.

      • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 15:34

        A renewable source of carbon emissions doesn't make it better for the greenhouse effect.

        • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 15:43
          +1

          Yes it does. Digging up fossil fuels and burning them is bad because it adds more carbon to the existing cycle. Burning wood is just part of the cycle that is already in the atmosphere. The same carbon is being released when you burn wood as when it falls in the forest and rots.

          • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 16:15
            +4

            @Quantumcat: I stand corrected, both rotting and burning timber are approximately carbon neutral while timber construction is carbon negative.

            • lancesta on 09/10/2022 - 02:19

              @us3rnam3tak3n: I honestly thought the same at one point. One thing that is important is when the carbon comes back.

              If I chop down a tree and burn it, it's not suddenly carbon neutral. But if it's one in my yard, often I'll be replacing it and therefore in a few years/decades it'll be neutral.

              If I planted trees for the purpose of firewood then they'd probably be neutral from whenever I start using them.

              Just means some bloke selling firewood from old groth native forests to clear them for agriculture isn't exactly doing the environment any favours.

        • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 15:50

          lol, it makes it carbon neutral. Unlike that electricity you are using.

          • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/10/2022 - 16:16
            +1

            @trapper: Chiefly solar. Granted it will take a few years to reach equity.

          • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 16:31

            @trapper: Remember that burning wood (if not gathered on your own property and carried by manpower alone to your house) means using machines in forests to cut the trees down, more machines to cut them up and big diesel guzzling trucks to transport them to where they are being used.
            Once the grid is a decent percentage renewable energy it will beat burning wood in terms of contributions to the greenhouse effect. And the other benefit of using electricity to heat with is it doesn't pollute the air

            • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 17:50
              +1

              @Quantumcat: You do know the coal for your electricity doesn't magically appear at the power station right? It has to be mined and transported by machines.

              My locally sourced wood is carbon neutral, and best of all - totally free!

              • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 22:47

                @trapper:

                You do know the coal for your electricity doesn't magically appear at the power station right? It has to be mined and transported by machines.

                Yes, and that's something that people who are against renewable energy for whatever reason usually forget, or leave out of the equation on purpose.

            • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 18:36
              -4

              @Quantumcat: How much jet fuel was spewed into the atmosphere transporting our vaccines over here or carrying our PMs in private flights?

              People overlook the biggest impacts on our environment when it's caused by their own hand or someone they agree with, but heaven forbid the average family wants to stay warm in winter. They need to be guilted into reciting ten "Our Climate, who art precious, we honour ye with our sacrifices".

      • SBOB on 07/10/2022 - 16:14
        +1

        as the fuel is renewable

        only if whatever is cut down for firewood is actively replaced (and the lag time for re-capturing that carbon isnt short ;) )

        • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 22:52
          +1

          Carbon released in the air is being used by all the forest cover over the whole planet. As long as forest cover is increasing or staying the same the lag time for any particular carbon atom isn't too important. Like a bath being filled but the plug is out

  • rainynight65 on 07/10/2022 - 08:39
    +4

    I have 20 acres of bushland on my property. Free firewood for life. Installing a fireplace was a no-brainer.

    • ATangk on 07/10/2022 - 17:22

      Don't you have to dry the wood for like a very very long time? Months up to years?

      • trapper on 08/10/2022 - 01:45
        +1

        It doesn't take that long, especially if you harvest from fallen trees or dropped branches.

        • beach bum on 08/10/2022 - 12:25
          +1

          Green Wood needs to be seasoned for at Least a Year until the bark falls off and it turns grey . The tannins leach out over time when its periodically rained on .
          Cutting & turning the wood can speed this up a little.
          Most hardwoods need 18months at least from green felled , 3 years at least for muture Ironbark because it's so dense .

          And this is where it all goes wrong as land clearing for developments is huge in this country,
          and plenty people selling split green wood for a quick buck ,
          Season at home outside for another year then dry undercover for another month , then it will burn hot with minimal smoke.

          You can tell a lot about a fire by looking at your chimney smoke,
          That chimney needs a clean every year or so above the roofline where the cold air hits it also.
          Otherwise those tannins turn to unburnt creasote deposits choking your air outflow.
          You should be able to slow down your air-intake and still have minimal smoke once the fire has gotten really hot with coals - ideally..

      • mauricem on 08/10/2022 - 22:58
        +1

        On 20 acres there'd be enough standing or recently fallen dead trees to keep you going. I'm on 8 acres with only an acre or so uncleared and always have plenty of firewood for a big open and very hungry fireplace.
        But you are correct, burning unseasoned wood is one of the main reasons for a "dirty" burn and excess smoke.

      • rainynight65 on 10/10/2022 - 08:57
        +1

        I don't cut down green trees for firewood. But on 20 acres, there's plenty of dead wood all the time, trees that fall over or die off. They're usually nice and dry by the time I get to them.

        The one time we cut down a batch of green trees, I cut them into manageable logs and left them to sit for well over a year before I started cutting them into firewood.

  • Brianqpr on 07/10/2022 - 09:10

    We have a gas fireplace so it has got more expensive but I love the way it looks and its decent at heating a farily large space.

  • Dogsrule on 07/10/2022 - 09:51
    +1

    I do, but I run it properly. Air intake fully open with the inbuilt fan running - ensures the wood burns clean and doesn't stink up the (semi rural) neighbourhood and extracts as much of the heat from the firebox as possible.

  • tomleonhart on 07/10/2022 - 10:10
    +1

    I use it regularly. My mum love chucking a potato inside the fireplace when it's going too.

    • CocaKoala on 07/10/2022 - 11:15

      My mum love chucking a potato inside the fireplace when it's going too.

      Is this a thing? Why is that done?

      • GG57 on 07/10/2022 - 12:02
        +2

        To cook it.

      • tomleonhart on 07/10/2022 - 12:04
        +1

        Cook it. Sour cream. Salt pepper yum.

    • Quantumcat on 07/10/2022 - 12:44
      +1

      As a kid we used to have potatoes cooked in the fire for dinner on a regular basis, but it was because the electricity went out. I used to love it though, and think it was a special treat

    • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 17:09

      My favourite as a kid was corn on the kob cooked inside the fireplace.

  • YellowDieselGolf on 07/10/2022 - 10:15

    The thought of people burning trees during cold winter months is pathetic in a first-world country.

    Fixed that for you.

    • BankstownMoeyDW on 07/10/2022 - 10:19

      So you'd never entertain the idea of a nice bonfire when camping?

      • YellowDieselGolf on 07/10/2022 - 15:06

        You’re comparing a random camping trip to heating a home for a season? Righto.

        And no. I don’t entertain the idea of camping.

    • Some Human on 07/10/2022 - 10:59

      What would you prefer us to burn? My heater specifically says “burn only hardwood”

      • YellowDieselGolf on 07/10/2022 - 15:09
        +1

        I was following the same format as OP.

        I’d prefer non combustion heating. Or at least burning something that doesn’t result in smoke throughout the neighbourhood.

        • Some Human on 07/10/2022 - 15:27

          My whole neighbourhood burns wood in the winter. Not everyone lives in the burbs.

        • SlavOz on 07/10/2022 - 17:12

          You do realise any form of heating is bad for the environment right? Even traditional electric heating runs off massive power grids and fossil fuels.

          It's like people are tricking themselves to think fires are bad so they can feel better about the massive impact of their own heating habits.

          • YellowDieselGolf on 07/10/2022 - 19:31
            +3

            @SlavOz: Why are you asking for peoples opinions when you clearly have the right one?

            Also, I didn’t mention the environment?

            • Ughhh on 07/10/2022 - 20:31
              +1

              @YellowDieselGolf:

              Why are you asking for peoples opinions when you clearly have the right one?

              His intentions clearly never were to obtain opinions, but rather find a reason to call and separate society into a black and white lefties/progressives vs right. Oh, and a touch of the usual stuff that lives rent free in his head.

              • beach bum on 08/10/2022 - 12:34
                +1

                @Ughhh: I got thru the whole winter in trackies socks jumper combo and no heater at all ,
                Not an especially insulated house.
                Mind you in SEQ in a wet year

          • lancesta on 09/10/2022 - 02:24

            @SlavOz: Seems pretty inefficient burning coal to create heat to turn water into steam to then move a turbine to generate electricity, sending it over hundreds of km of cable just for me to then use that electricity to make heat again. All while concentrating emmisions in one area.

            Whereas I could just burn coal in my house it'd be converted straight to heat, there'd be less pollution concentrated in one area and surely it'd be more efficient lol.

  • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 10:59
    +2

    Closed fireplaces are so good. I wish I still had one :(

    Free heating all winter.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 07/10/2022 - 12:33
    +2

    Inverter Reverse cycle air conditioning heating (heat pumps) and solar panels can heat the whole house nearly for free on a bright day. Obviously get the house temp up before if goes dark or use it in addition to gas heating. Maybe even be cheaper than gas without the solar anyway, with gas prices going up.

    Consider improved insulation and doing something about the floor to ceiling single glazed windows most Aussie houses have.

  • LFO on 07/10/2022 - 14:04
    +1

    I wonder if the gigantic difference between a fireplace (intrinsically inefficient) and a log burner/ wood-burning stove (intrinsically efficient) is known and understood?

  • vinataba on 07/10/2022 - 14:09

    Had one (fire wood burner) in my previous rental last year. It was the best thing of the house during the winter. The firewood is a bit expensive but I would rather spend that money on it than electricity for heatpump.

    I missed it a lot. Would install one if possible.

    • Some Human on 07/10/2022 - 15:29
      +3

      The best way is to wait until there is a storm, then go out when it dies down and harvest all the wood.

      • trapper on 07/10/2022 - 15:48
        +1

        I got a lot from neighbors doing renovations or removing trees.

        They even dropped it off at my house sometimes.

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