January 02, 2006
pipes
I think these are chimney liners, hung on a hurricane fence at the fireplace store for handy access. What was I doing in the vicinity of stovepipe? Why, preparing for the disruption of essential services caused by an avian flu pandemic, of course. Unfortunately, the store was closed for New Year's weekend, but the empty parking lot provided an unimpaired view of said pipes.
I am about to install a gas insert in my livingroom fireplace. I think I have found one with sufficient Victorian charms to suit my purposes. I am hoping that such an installation will allow me to heat at least one room in the house, should the grid snap for one reason or another.
Since most, if not all, furnaces require electricity to start, no matter what fuel they burn, we will all be without heat if electricity is interrupted -- a chilling prospect, here, north of the Mason- Dixon Line. A gas fireplace insert can be ordered with a manual starter, thus circumventing the problem. Although natural gas prices are increasing exponentially, I think this is a decent backup plan that will provide a modicum of heat in an emergency.
As for simply building a fire in the fireplace --when the damper in mine is open, the particular spatial configuration of my house sets up conditions for a 50 mile an hour wind to suck every molecule of warm air in the house up the chimney. Because of this, cozy fires in the wintertime, when you really want one, are built only for festive occasions. I know I'll enjoy the luxury of a fire more often if I can just flick a switch, or whatever you do with a manual starter -- I'm sure it beats hauling wood.
The gas insert is only an interim strategy, since I have discovered that a hybrid car can be used as a handy dandy, efficient, low emission mobile generator. Besides, it's the right car to own if you care about the environment, and feel you cannot manage without a motor vehicle. I have placed my name on a waiting list.
Please excuse my recent absence from virtual relations. I have been virally indisposed. I think the damn things attacked my motivation, as well as my cognition. Today I remembered to take some of the elderberry syrup that I accumulated, but WILL NOT use, for the avian flu.
Photo loose association: Would that my nasal passages were as clean and shiny.
Posted by Dakota at January 2, 2006 05:11 PM