Air movement - I learned something new

[Swedishchef]

Hey guys

I learned something new in the past 3-4 weeks of burning.

Normally I use a fan to move the heat around my basement. The fan is located beside the stove. My staircase that goes upstairs is about 15 feet away from the stove. The fan blows towards the sstaircase (I know blowing cool air down the stairs is better but I have kids to would toss the fan down the stairs!)

In the past 2 weeks I stopped using the fan. What a I noticed is this: the heat rises MUCH fast upstairs WITHOUT a fan than WITH a fan. I think that the fan moves air around the basement quicker but does not contribute to it rising in the staircase. In fact, I feel it prevents it from rising. Without a fan, the heat is moved by convection and once the "mass" of heat hits the staircase, it starts to rise. I feel the heat upstairs within 1 hour of the stove being lit whereas with a fan it will take 2-3 hours to feel the heat at the top of the staircase.

We always learn something new...and I improved my burning efficiency!

Andrew

 

[Huntindog1]

I agree!

 

[begreen]

Sounds like fan=convectus disruptus

 

[Swedishchef]

Yeah, it really is counter intuitive but it worked for me. So now I am realllly getting the "Please don't put anymore wood in the stove!!"



Andrew

 

[Grisu]

If you cannot place the fan at the top of the stairs try putting it at the bottom blowing cold air towards the stove. The warm air coming back may just take a turn up the stairwell.

 

[Swedishchef]

No can do Grisu: my basement has turned into a Plasmacar race circuit for my kids. The fan would be broken in no time. Lol

 

[Grisu]

Sounds familiar. Mine has become the "kiddie gym". I would be scared to death having a hot stove down there. Fortunately, ours is upstairs.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

In the past 2 weeks I stopped using the fan. What a I noticed is this: the heat rises MUCH fast upstairs WITHOUT a fan than WITH a fan. I think that the fan moves air around the basement quicker but does not contribute to it rising in the staircase. In fact, I feel it prevents it from rising. Without a fan, the heat is moved by convection and once the "mass" of heat hits the staircase, it starts to rise. I feel the heat upstairs within 1 hour of the stove being lit whereas with a fan it will take 2-3 hours to feel the heat at the top of the staircase.

Whether or not any of that is happening I can't say, but I think this demonstrates the importance of being open minded and willing to try things and not resign yourself to the expertise of a bunch of yay-hoos on the internet