Desert Botanical Garden: THE DESERT HOUSE: Rumford Fireplace

Incorporated into the Desert House heating system, but not intended as a primary heat source, is a very efficient Rumford Fireplace. Born Benjamin Thompson, in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 1753, and commissioned a Count later in life, Count Rumford designed this style of fireplace to produce and distribute heat more effectively in New England homes. During the American Revolutionary War he sided with the Crown and found it necessary to leave the former colonies for England where he continued his work on fireplace design. In England he perfected the design, retrofitted many old fireplaces and penned his ideas for future fireplace builders.

Rumford's fireplace maximizes heat output by increasing the firebox opening, decreasing depth and installing back and side walls built with refractive firebrick and sodium silicate mortar at angles to reflect heat more effectively throughout the room. Fireplace throat and smoke shelf layout differ significantly in Rumford's design. Outside combustion air is fed to the fire via a vent, allowing the fireplace to maintain high temperatures, and increasing the heat storing capacity of its refractory materials. All wood is completely consumed by the fire, leaving only fine ash for disposal.

Use of fireplaces in the Phoenix area is limited because of the concern that open fires decrease air quality, and many winter days are classified as no-burn days, making the fireplace unavailable for use. Occasionally there are days when use of the fireplace is appropriate, especially when the ambiance of an open fire is desired.