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deathsythe OP t1_izal0aw wrote

Reply to comment by shortys7777 in Who still hasn't turned on their heat? by deathsythe

Not to be pedantic, but a candle can throw ~100 BTUs of heat energy.

While it might not be appreciable vs. a mini-split unit or other HVAC, to say it is not providing heat is a complete misnomer. Grab a candle by the top or the jar, or from the top of the jar and tell me it isn't throwing heat.

I'm not suggesting that two or three candles are going to heat a whole house by any means, but it certainly is throwing off heat.

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GotenRocko t1_izaprh5 wrote

You and any other occupants are the ones producing the heat in you home, not a couple of candles.

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deathsythe OP t1_izavd6h wrote

And a PS4 and 2 computers, and several 98° bodies, sure.

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OhItsNotJoe t1_izc0mlx wrote

I’ve used a thermal imaging camera on a candle before to test this. A typical candle is producing heat but it usually outputs that heat straight up above the flame and hot wax, usually going right into your ceiling and getting pulled by the draft. If you want to actually get a useable amount of heat, add something to catch the heat. Clay pots work nicely, they catch the heat and have enough thermal mass to then slowly output it to the environment in a way you can really feel.

I’m currently living in a 1 room cottage down in Gansett, and a cheap candle with a clay pot above it and placed in the center of the room is enough to keep the heat off, down to about 45F outside temp. Now I’m starting to worry about my pipes freezing so the heats going on, but it worked in the fall!

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ObviousReflection90 t1_izdy2ie wrote

How did this get so many downvotes. Guy is 100% right.

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deathsythe OP t1_ize0l6i wrote

Appreciate that. I have a master's degree in mechanical engineering, and I get downvoted for posting the results of something I literally conducted experiments with back in undergrad...

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ObviousReflection90 t1_ize37s2 wrote

I just don't understand how people can disagree. Have they ever held their hand to a flame.... Makes me realize how retarded people truly are...

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