The scene is set: a magnificent alpine chalet under construction, in an idyllic landscape with a splendid view of Mont-Blanc. Watching the snow through the window, snug beside a good log fire, quickly becomes an obvious choice. It is decided: this house will be heated by a masonry heater.
So our customers filled in the contact form so that we could carry out a technical study. That is always how our good stories and good encounters begin.
They were keen to have Ortner equipment, an Austrian manufacturer known for the quality and reliability of its materials. As dealers and installers of Ortner products, we undertook to meet their expectations. The heater installed has an output of around 6 kW and takes a load of around 22 kg of wood. The manufacturer quotes an efficiency of over 85% for this unit. To comply with the regulations in force (RT2012, the French thermal regulation), underfloor heating was nevertheless installed; it will cover the occupants’ absences.
The customers wanted to take part in the work. We supplied the materials and, following our advice, they fitted the flues and did the rendering themselves.
As for this heater, you could almost call it an invisible heater, so well is it integrated into the house!
Despite difficult access, the work went very well. We met a dynamic and very friendly young couple, and promised ourselves we would go back and visit them in their lovely chalet.
Cladding in large slabs
The finish is made of large slabs with thin joints, laid in staggered bond. The horizontal firebox is set flush into them, with no projecting frame: only the cast-iron frame marks the opening. This detail means the opening has to be set to the millimetre during assembly — a slab cannot be recut once laid.
