With modern day fuel prices raising to record heights it is hard to believe that fuel conservancy ever affected communities like the Shakers and the Amish. Even a group of people who never relied on modern vehicles were and are concerned about the cost and waste of fuels for heating and running machinery. With a potential energy crisis looming as certain as winter everyone is concerned about heating costs. Clean burning and warming fireplaces like the ones available through the Amish are now being sought after as reliable alternative heat sources.

The Shakers were a thrifty group who did not even waste a dropped needle. Ecologically green before it became in vogue and always prudent with resources the Shakers were grateful and good stewards of what they believed God gave them. In the 1800’s wood was their primary fuel and although plentiful and renewable they were not prone to wasting it. Every shaving from the carpenter’s floor in the furniture workshops were gathered and turned into valuable kindling. Not even a scrap went to waste with the frugal Shakers. Even the machinery they created to help with daily tasks had to be fuel efficient. From wood burning barrel stave machines to steam powered washing machines fuel had to be inexpensive and renewable for the resourceful Shakers.

The Amish have traditionally heated their home with wood also, although some have converted to gas. Central heating is viewed by the Amish as a very wasteful luxury. Since the stoves are usually in the living room quite often the bedrooms, located upstairs and away from the stoves, get fairly cold in winter. The ever famous Amish quilt certainly comes in handy on those cold mornings.

Mission, Shaker, Arts and Crafts, Rustic or Modern Contemporary decors can all benefit from a beautiful fireplace designed with energy efficient electrical flames and heating units by Dimplex and brought to you by the Amish. The beautiful hypnotic electronic flames please the eye and feed the senses while warming the environment and saving money by heating the room you are in instead of the whole house. These beautifully encased fireplaces are not only energy efficient 4,600 BTU heaters but are visually good for the soul. These fireplaces are available for your winter relaxation in beautifully crafted oak or cherry. Never clean up a messy wood burning fireplace again and enjoy a convenient remote control from the seating on your solid wood framed Mission sofa from the Amish.

Tags: Amish, amish fireplace, amish fireplace heater, amish fireplace mantles, fireplace, fireplace mantle, heating

This entry was posted on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 1:15 am and is filed under Amish Furniture Styles, Fireplaces, Shaker, The Amish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.