Woodburing Masonry Heater Education Program Announced for 2012

The Masonry Heater Association of North America recently developed the HMED (Heater Mason's Education & Development) program designed for masons and people interested in learning how to build efficient and clean burning wood-fired masonry heaters.

Tucson, AZ : The Masonry Heater Association of North America recently developed the HMED (Heater Mason's Education & Development) program designed for masons and people interested in learning how to build efficient wood-fired masonry heaters.

The program is designed to:

  •     Provide an education program that starts with basic information and skills training.
  •     Provide a standard curriculum that will be delivered in facilities throughout North America.
  •     Provide opportunities to earn continued education credits for various certification programs
  •     Promote safe building practices for everyone interested in building masonry heaters.
  •     Establish a training system that is specific to North America.

MHA’s HMED program provides an excellent opportunity for someone to learn the basic theory and construction of a masonry heater, a necessary step before taking on the task of building masonry heaters. The program was developed due to increasing interest in Masonry Heaters as an alternative method to heat homes.

Classes are currently scheduled for:

  • June 1 – 4, 2012 in Evertt, Washington             
  • August 24 -27, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • September 15 – 18, 2012 in Perth, Ontario, Canada
  • St. Louis, MO. Dates to be announced.

Costs: 
September 17 – 20, 2011 in Perth, Ontario
    $798 for MHA members
    $900 for non MHA members

What are Masonry Heaters?

A masonry heater is a special type of fireplace made of stone, brick, stucco or tile which will heat your home safely and comfortably. Masonry heaters burn wood, which is North America's cheapest and most abundant bio-fuel. We currently use less than ten percent of available deadfall timber from our forests. Masonry heaters burn efficiently and with very low emissions, which make them extremely “green”.

Masonry heaters work on the principal of thermal storage due to the considerable thermal mass of the materials used in their construction (most of them are heavy, often weighing tons). The best masonry heaters soak up most of the heat from the wood blaze within the firebox through a cleverly designed system of channels or chambers which "harvest" heat from the hot gases. This energy migrates through the masonry slowly until it reaches the surface where it "illuminates" the room with invisible rays of heat known as infrared radiation. This way heat from a fire in the morning can still be warming a home in the evening.

The Masonry Heater Association of North America hosts an annual workshop where masons can get hands-on practice building wood-fired masonry heaters and bake ovens. Instructional books on how to build and operate masonry heaters and bake ovens are available on the MHA’s website.

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