National Geographic Daily News  Tanya Basu  National Geographic
Published November 20, 2013  For anyone seeking respite from the
chilly fall air in Washington, D.C., this week, the National
Mall was a hot place to be: Twelve wood stoves were burning away
as part of a fiery competition for efficient heating.  The Wood
Stove Decathlon concluded Tuesday after five days of testing and
judging among teams that came from around the world. The goal?
"Heat more cleanly, cheaply, and renewably," said John Ackerly,
organizer and president of the Alliance for Green Heat. (See
related story: "Wood Stove Contest Seeks to Fire High-Tech
Solutions for Smoke.")  The New Hampshire company Woodstock
Soapstone snared the $25,000 first prize with its hybrid stove,
which regulates combustion and includes a regulator to ensure
efficient heat. It also comes with unique plates that can be
personalized to a homeowner's taste. (See related quiz: "What
You Don't Know About Home Heating.")  Beyond the heating
element, the decathlon had