Tempcast Product page
Tempcast is a company based in Toronto, Canada that produces a modular masonry heater similar in design to those used in the Scandinavian countries in Europe for hundreds of years. A masonry heater uses a high mass construction and long flame path to absorb much more heat from a wood fire than a conventional fireplace. The high mass then releases stored heat over the next 10-12 hours. In Finland, people use a masonry heater to heat their whole home by centrally locating the heater and then only loading it with firewood twice per day. The fire burns very hot for 45-60 minutes, but the heat lasts half of a day.
Why a masonry heater instead of a conventional fireplace?
1. Much more efficient- A masonry heater is over 90% efficient whereas a conventional fireplace has a combustion efficiency of less than 60%. Most of the heat and energy goes into the mass instead of up the chimney as in a conventional open fireplace.
2. Much less pollution- Because the flame path is so long and the heater is so efficient, more of the smoke and other combustible gases are burned than in a conventional fireplace.
3. You don't have to keep putting wood on the fire- A masonry heater should only need to be burned twice per day and typically only holds about 4 cubic feet of wood.
Why use Tempcast Masonry Heaters?
1. The Tempcast heater is modular in design. Any experienced mason can put it together with no previous experience.
2. Flexible appearance- Tempcast only sells the core. The homeowner decides what to cover it with whether it be stucco, brick, stone, or tile.
3. The Tempcast really works. HTG's demo, located in Birmingham, AL, burns very hot for about 45 minutes with about 40 pounds of wood. The surface, which is made of sandstone, stays about 100 degrees F for about 8 hours and is still warm after 14 hours.