Energy Efficiency

How Does a Heat-Retaining Fireplace Work?

The principle is easy. Wood is burnt quickly, cleanly and efficiently at high temperatures in a heat-retaining Tulikivi fireplace. Most of the thermal energy is retained in the soapstone mass, which continues to radiate heat evenly and steadily over a period of time long after the fire has gone out. This reduces wood consumption as well as emissions.

The Contra Flow System

To achieve superior energy efficiency, Tulikivi fireplaces use our contra-flow system to collect thermal energy from hot flue gases.

(1) When wood burns in the firebox high temperatures are reached quickly, forcing the burning flue gases into the upper combustion chamber below the top lid.

(2) The hot gases are then guided down and out into the side channels, where the heat is released into the exterior stones. At the same time, room air outside the fireplace walls warms and moves up the stone surface in a path opposite to the interior down flow.

These two opposing air flows are known as contra-flow. Most of the generated heat is transferred evenly into the room in the form of comfortable radiant heat.

The Dual Combustion System

All Tulikivi bakeovens, except the dual purpose fireplace/bakeoven combinations, operate on the dual combustion principle.

Unburned gases from wood burning in the firebox rise to the upper combustion chamber. Thanks to the secondary air supply flowing into the bakeoven via the ash pan and grate, these gases are also burnt to produce more heat.

Tulikivi bakeovens bake evenly over a long period of time. Baked breads, pizzas and other goods retain the fine aroma associated only with a genuine wood-burning bakeoven.

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