FlueCube More follow-up

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FlueCube?

I just got another letter from "Jeremy" on the FlueCube. Thank you Jeremy I really appreciate your input and also enjoy a lively debate. Here is Jeremy's letter in full - interjected with my responses in italics:


Jeremy has left a new comment on your post "FlueCube Chimney Cowl & Stove Efficiency":

Close to 200 sold, 100% positive feedback and customer satisfaction with the claims on the fluecube website. Regardless, almost every expert and specialist they bring this to discount it before even seeing it work. Their doing great work, selling well and I encourage them. 

Sales figures and non-independent feedback are not great criteria by which to judge the scientific performance and effectiveness of any product - don't you think?

The appliance cannot solve the issues of atmospheric back pressure. An H Cowl promises to fix down daft as do many cowls but they do not address atmospheric back-pressure. Air sheds in high inversion areas are where the worst wood heater pollution is. 

I think you may be referring to pressure zones?  No static cowl, that I know of, can deal with pressure zones either from inversions or wind and barrier created.  Some powered cowls are good in this sort of situation. In wind and barrier created pressure zones - It may help to raise the height of a chimney above the zone of pressure.

The inventor lacks relevant technical information simply because of no testing apparatus in international standards designed to record cowling efficacy or outside weather effects on the appliances performance. All standards do is promote new appliances.

Lots of hype plus a lack of hard scientific facts does not help to promote any item. I, for one, will not buy any item unless I firstly understand the working principles and then access several independent reviews from those who are scientifically equipped to make an informed evaluation.

He decided the only way was to get it out there to homes, to the consumer. He was right in doing so. There's too many 'hyped up' green market investors out there seeking the new oil to contend with. Natural Gas is going to work harder now nuclear struggles to keep the clean energy label. There is a huge lack of trust in light of recent disasters.

Good luck to him - I wish him all the best with his efforts. But, using some of your own terminology, there are too many 'hyped up' gizmos and ideas out there - and a 'huge lack of trust' - because of so many failures to deliver results.

In suburban and rural areas consumers desire security, self sufficiency, sustainability, fuel efficiency, neighbours that don't winge, and to be in control of their own domains.

Domestic heating needs security from power outages and natural disasters. Majority of consumers care little about global economic fads around climate change and from the top end energy sector.

I agree completely - that is why I have a stove myself and promote this efficient, safe, inexpensive, and independently sustainable method of home heating. I have burned garden clippings and thinnings, driftwood, old packing cases etc. Last year I had heat for a over week just from prunings of my trees in the garden.

Pellet burners lack the element of self sufficiency that typical log burners do offer to consumers. All they were waiting for was a cheap device to solve the emissions problem and get the health fanatics off their backs.

I see pellets as good for biomass energy plants and perhaps the more boutique electric flame or gas log fire category but its unlikely they will go further than that domestically.

I have long since stated, on this blog, that wood-pellet heating has not yet arrived technically or in the quality, storage and supply of fuel.  I have given almost a dozen good reasons why NOT to go with wood pellet heating and thus avoid the associated complexity, the very high installation costs, the fuel storage problems, and the lack of fuel independence associated with this form of domestic heating.

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FlueCube Addendum

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An Invitation to FlueCube

Following up on the last posting, I have sent FlueCube a letter and invitation to rebut my somewhat harsh criticisms.


Hi Guys,

I write a blog on Sustainable Energy as a hobby and through my concern
for a sustainable future.  One of my readers sent me a comment and
heads-up on your cowl.

I searched your website for some core scientific and technical
information along with diagrams etc explaining exactly how each aspect
of your claims works I failed to find anything much except a lot of
loose descriptions, and some performance claims which I find a bit
unbelievable.

I have written a Blog Post based on the information you have published
and on my own knowledge of combustion.

I am afraid it is not very complementary.

So that is why I am writing to give you an invitation to refute my
criticisms by providing specific technical facts and details of
operating principles, along with copies of independent test results to
support your claims.

I will be most happy to publish a refutation, along with an apology
for my harsh criticisms, if you can send me information backed with
hard scientific details and test results.

I look forward to hearing from you.

My Regards,

TonyMcGinley

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FlueCube Chimney Cowl & Stove Efficiency

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Super Magical Chimney Cowl
Gets Rid of Smoke - More Efficient?
Self-Cleaning?

Somehow I really doubt it!!

10 Gallon Can or Chimney Cowl?

I got this comment from "Jeremy"  - who prefers to remain unidentified:


COMMENT

Jeremy has left a new comment on your post "Dealing with Down-Draught":

It may also be worth checking out a cube shaped cowl in New Zealand called a FlueCube. Highly rated by consumers and irritating to those who'd rather have less self sufficient options available to consumers - such as the state owned energy sector. Smoke disappears, in most cases, in less than 4 minutes re YouTube video. Go Mr. Venturi indeed!

REPLY

Thanks for the heads-up on the Cube Cowl Jeremy. I have taken your advice and looked up the thing. My initial reaction is that the hype on the website makes some VERY dodgy sounding claims, like it's fuel efficiency and self-cleaning, but most of all  - that it reduces smoke by some process of after-burning in a vortex. How is this vortex formed and how exactly does it perform after burn?

Maybe Mr. Dyson, the vacuum cleaner man - who has fair knowledge of vortex usages - might be able to come up with a design for a chimney cowl?

The FlueCube site is HEAVY on hype and very light on any real scientific principles. If the guy has the patent why is he so shy about giving us operating principles and diagrams.

That sort of approach to publicity - tends to leave me with a very poor first impression. However, I shall make contact with FlueCube and ask for some real specifics regarding the design principles and copies of independent testing of results against other anti-downdraught cowls - and see what they have to say. Can the claims be fully supported - I believe not - buy I will wait and see.

THE COMMERCIAL BLURB BY FLUECUBE (My comments are in italics)

The FlueCube cowl is effective by taking advantage of both the hot air from the heat source below and the cold air from the inversion layer and winds from above. The two air pressures then mix in a chamber above the flue outlet, forming a mini cyclone in effect. This cyclone creates a self-generating and perpetual vacuum. 

How exactly does this work and can we see some proper tests?

The FlueCube is:

• Designed to handle all winter weather conditions including downdraft from inversion layers.

And so are almost all other anti-downdraught cowls on the market today.

• Fuel efficient while maintaining the wood fire's optimum heat output.

This sounds like a bit of exaggeration to me. For starters. if there is too much up-draught in the chimney - you will have less efficiency unless you install a draught controller. Secondly, optimum heat is adjusted by the air intake on a stove.

• Stand alone - free of moving parts
• Bird proof, wind proof, snow proof
• Self-cleaning provided that dry, low resin content wood is burned.

The only way it could be truly self-cleaning is if the surfaces were treated with nano-technology, or perhaps where very high temperatures were present to burn off soot.

Benefits:

• Using less Kindling, the fastest light up with the lowest pollution.

Where are the independent test figures to show higher fuel economy against other anti-downdraught cowls? Where are the test to show any significant reduction on smoke particles??

• Major reduction in wood smoke emissions in all conditions.

Again - where are the independent test results. The videos show a reduction on VISIBLE emissions, much of which is probably water vapour.

• Optimum heat all winter long, in all winter conditions, using less wood.

Stretching the truth a bit here - don't you think?

• A cleaner firebox, flue, and cowl provided the correct dry, low resin wood is used
• Heating during power blackouts.

These points above, like several others, have feck-all to do with the darn cowl guys!!

• With a hotplate, cooking during power blackouts
• No toxic gases or smoky odours inside the home - a relief to asthmatics and allergy sufferers.

That is some claim to make - and is again a bit of an exaggeration.

• You'll be one of many supporting sustainable, carbon neutral domestic energy use.
• There's nothing like the age - old comfort and aesthetic of a real fire.

Here I fully agree!!

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Electricity Saver Boxes

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Do Electricity Saving Boxes 

Really Work?

You must have seen the adverts about these energy saving boxes, or maybe you have seen the boxes in a friends house.

The adverts usually claim that these electricity saving boxes, costing around €20 - €30 or thereabouts, can preserve your appliances from damage and cut your electricity bills by 10% or more.

So how can a little plug-in box do all of that??  The answer is  - it cannot in any realistic sense save you money on your electricity bill.

Can these little boxes prevent your washing machine burning out in a "brown-out"?  IMHO no way possible. Can the boxes prevent damage in large energy surges?  I don't think so!!

If you are offered one of these little "Miracle Boxes", I would say save your €20 and put it towards your energy bill - that way you will experience REAL savings!!

How do you really get genuine energy saving??  I will write a post on some related ideas soon.

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Stove Glass Crazing

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Follow Up

On Stove Glass Crazing

 

I have been in touch with McElligotts in Castleisland County Kerry, the dealers I bought my stove from. John McCarthy, the man with the knowledge, says that thermal shock has caused the crazing of the glass and that is not a too common occurrence in the Blacksmith Anvil. The glass should be replace and they will arrange to have a replacement pane shipped.

Most of the crazing effect is on the side of the door that opens out. Thermal shock makes sense, as when the door is opened the first blast of cold air hits there first and it is probably cold that causes the crazing rather than heat!!

Top marks again to McElligotts and John McCarthy - the man who can.

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Great News Germany Nuke-free by 2022

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It's an ill wind

that blows nobody good!

Hand up or you're dead - by deadly radiation poisoning!

The old saying, "It's and ill wind that blows nobody good", is coming true of the Japanese nuclear accident at Fukushima.

Today the news wires are full of the story that Germany is to re-instate a 2002 plan to be nuclear free, and has set the timescale to 2022. It will begin immediately by closing the older and dodgier nuke plants.

What can I say - good on you Germany for leading the way. I only hope the rest of Europe won't act the complete fools, and that they will quickly follow the German lead.

Vielen Dank Deutschland!!!!

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Stove Down Draught Problems

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Stove 

Down Draught 

Problems

A recent comment came in about Down Draught problems with a stove.

Barry has left a new comment on your post "Dealing with Down-Draught":

Congratulations on an excellent and informative blog, we recently had a Stovax Riva 55 installed and it performed well initially but once the wind picks up we suffer from downdraught so we're considering installing a chimney cowl, initially I was thinking a rotating cowl such as the Rotorvent but perhaps a fixed cowl would be better like the MAD anti-downdraught cowl as I've heard the rotating cowls have a tendency to clog up, could you advise on the better option?
Thanks,
Barry

REPLY

Thanks for you email Barry. As I have said many times on this blog, I do not give direct advice. I give my opinion, based on the foundation of; "To The Best of My Knowledge" and "Go Check it Yourself"

I did several posts on "Pressure Zones" and "Down Draught Problems" and the difference between them and "To the Best of My Knowledge" ways of curing or dealing with the various problems. You might take the time to search or dig a bit deepen in my Blog, and hopefully you will find some pointers.

Regards,
Tony McGinley

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Blacksmith Stove Glass Crazing

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Stove Glass Crazing

My New Blacksmith Anvil stove has developed a lot of crazing in the door glass. I believe this is not uncommon but I would not have expected it to happen after just one season of use.

Most of the crazing is on the side opening out

Close up of the crazing

I will be contacting the manufacturer about this problem. As it stands it would seem to be only a visual problem, the glass does not appear to have any real structural distress. The crazing is very fine and appears superficial. It does not seem to extend deeper into the glass.

That said, I am not that happy with the look of my new stove with just one one season on the clock. I will let you know what the dealer or manufacturer has to say.

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Renewable Energy Biz Camp in Kilkenny

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The Making of Jobs

in Renewable Energy

Kilkenny Biz Camp Friday 27th May

I had a letter a couple of days ago from Kieth Bohanna, who runs an Internet consultancy business, announcing a “Renewable-Energy Biz Camp” in Kilkenny.


Hi Tony

Firstly I like your blogging - that is some amount of work and I hope you continue to enjoy it! I have a personal food blog and your output puts me to shame.

I am helping to run the above event in Kilkenny - it is a free one day gathering to explore the business opportunities in the renewable energy sector in Ireland. It is being run by two not-for-profits (Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency and the Kilkenny Leader Partnership) and one of the great things about it is that there will be around 20 speakers on the day (3 concurrent streams at any one time) and the speakers self-nominate themselves!

So once they are on topic, and provided they are not doing a sales pitch, anyone who wants to share a passion, information, opinion or experience can do so. If you could do a blog post that would be great. And if you want to attend and/or speak even better :-)

More here: www.energycamp.ie  Any questions just ask and thanks for taking the time to read this,

rgds, Keith

Comment:

Evidently the idea behind Biz Camps is a promotional tool to stimulate business and jobs. Several such camps have been held around Ireland. This is the first one dealing with Sustainable Energy matters.

The “Renewable Energy Biz Camp” will be held in the "Hotel Kilkenny" that would be In Kilkenny on Friday 27th May 2011. Subtitled: “Job Creation & Opportunities in Green Energy”.  The event is free of charge to those attending and also to speakers at the forums.

As far as I can determine, the core goal of the event is to create jobs and business opportunities, and is thus oriented towards business people - not so much for Joe Public. It is for interested parties to “explore the business opportunities in this sector and participate in a panel discussion” - “The EnergyCamp is an opportunity for individuals / companies wishing to branch into the energy and learn form experienced entrepreneurs”. Apart from the main two sponsors, I presume it will be funded by business stalls etc.

My only worry is about the ethical side of Sustainable Energy Business generally. By that I mean  business ethics, which would include such basics as, honesty, truthfulness, excellence of service, safety and training, real value for money, technical service capability and spare parts availability, honest running cost comparisons etc. etc.

I have written many a time on this blog about the price gouging, the cowboy attitudes, the poor technical standards etc. etc. of many in the Irish Renewable Energy Sector. I am hopeful, with the recent events of the property bubble collapse and the subsequent Bank crisis, that there will emerge a greater appreciation for the absolute need for honesty, truthfulness, fairness, trustworthiness, and openness in Irish business.


My reply to Kieth's letter:

Hi Keith  -

I would be happy to give your event a plug - I will see what material I can get from your website and if I need something more I will come back to you.

The business side of renewable energy in Ireland has been nothing short of a minefield - with all sorts of cowboys and opportunists gouging the public.

I hope the historical mistakes of unleashing the hounds on an unsuspecting public is outlined and that the ethical side of things is robustly addressed at your conference

I am just back from a Baha’i Convention in Bray - so it will be tomorrow or Wednesday before I get a look and start a post.

Regards,

Tony

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Sustainability and the Cost of Medicine

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Drillers or Gougers?

It's good old rip-off Ireland time again.  This time it is about MEDICINE.

Some 88% of Irish people say that they trust their doctors - but should they trust the Medical Profession generally? It would seem not!

A recent survey published by Avantis Health, who, it should be said,  have a vested interest because they promote overseas medicine,  indicates that up to 70% savings over Irish prices can be made by Irish people if they get the hell out of Ireland and have their Dental or Medical procedures elsewhere.


I personally can verify that it is no problem to save 50% on dental procedures - and that includes travel, accommodation etc.

The survey also showed that, even in Rip-Off Ireland, by carefully shopping around people can get 30% better prices.

So haggle with your dentist or physician, and shop around for medicines, the Internet has specialist chemists, several in the UK, and I can vouch the prices are much cheaper and the products a well known brands.. Do please make every effort to get the 70% savings - the more Irish people that go abroad for medical procedures, the greater incentive for Irish Medicine to get real, and to clean up it's act.

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