Everyone is an expert in ways to save money on home energy costs. Whether it is a recommendation to properly insulate your home or using more energy efficient ways to heat your home, there is never a shortage of advice in how to properly do so. One thing you can be sure about, however, is that you can not go wrong with using soapstone as a means of going green in home heating.
You'll commonly find soapstone used extensively for fireplace hearths, wood stoves, masonry fireplaces, and fireplace liners. It is a soft stone, softer than other natural stones like granite, but it does not burn, is not porous, will not stain, and will not etch from cleaning acids. Needless to say, care is minimal.
A soapstone fireplace can easily create a unique look to any home while also keeping it warm long after the fire died out. These fireplaces spread a soft heat throughout the room which is great for those cold winter nights. By installing a fireplace made from soapstone VT, a home can stay for hours, long after the fire is out and you're in bed. Another great thing about using soapstone for your fireplace is that it will last many lifetimes, sometimes even longer than your home!
Soapstone masonry heaters are remarkable in the simplicity of their design in comparison to how well they work. These stoves are basically large heat storage structures thanks to the soapstone material. When heated, the soapstone will store the heat and radiate it for the reminder of the day.
Because the heat from soapstone masonry heaters is a soft radiant heat, the air inside your home is not as discharged as it is with forced air systems or hot wood stoves. This creates a more comfortable living atmosphere with a natural indoor humidity, resulting in less respiratory strain, dryness, and infection.
They use only a fraction of the amount of fuel required by ordinary stoves. The fire burns hot from a supply of air. As the fire inside the heater grows hotter, the air supply is reduced. The heat then circulates through the heater in order to escape and in doing so is stored within the soapstone. The damper to the chimney should be closed to prevent any heat from being lost.
They work so well because the heat stored inside it is radiated out slowly. A soapstone masonry heater can remain warm for up to 36 hours afterwards. The entire process is much like the heat we get from the sun. As the sun warms the ground during the day, so does the radiant heat from a masonry heater made from soapstone. The stone releases stored warmth long after the fire is out.