Maximus wrote:STUD,
This is the first time I have seen such a contraption (rocket mass heater) and I don't know enough about it yet to comment. Although, it looks like a cumbersome unattractive looking device. Heaters in general have a limited use in Cyprus (majority time trying to keep cool) so I don't know what the cost benefit for installing something like this would be.
In my opinion, the best investment would be to install a solar power system that is tied to the grid and is a net producer of energy. I would budget for and plan to install a system larger than my households energy needs so I could benefit from free electricity as well as earning from the surplus.
We need heating at night for perhaps three months of the year in the winter on the coast and probably longer in the mountains. At these times of year the sun is less intense , lasts less time and otherwise less, reliable, just at the point When heating is needed.
These heaters are in fact potentially quite cheap, as they can be home-built, and they burn a lot less wood for the same useable heat. Note they do not put out more energy, they simply use it better because less is wasted through the chimney. Tie in a water heating system (with radiators?) and this further increases efficiency and minimises dependence on electricity.
PV has its place too but it is probably a lot more expensive.
