To date, we've designed an off grid lifestyle, as best we can as city slickers. We put the wood stove in the kitchen, so we can heat water, make bone broth, keep soup hot all day, and warm water for sponge baths when the power is out. The fact that our elec bill and oil bills border on s odom y is motivation. When prices go up (again), I hope to be as independant as we can. So the piles of wood are a measure of security....should I go home early, otherwise be unable to work, there is something in "the bank". We havent heated with it yet (finally found a retailer that knew what they weretalking about, and I had the stove pipe up in a.couple hours and looking good. Never go to Preston ct for stove pipe unless you know exactly what you want). But, we'd both like it warmer in here than we allow the gas unit to go. The activity keeps us healthy and fit, and I feel good about getting something accomplished (when work is almost totally pointless and meaningless). That I feel good, is good.for us socially. Generally no complaints. And, I have an addiction I can feed that is useful. Sca
Its a great feeling to know that when the power goes out in a storm (or similar), you still have a way to heat your home and maybe cook some food. We have our wood stove and a cook stove.
My wife has never complained about having too much wood. We cut, split, and stacked over 22 cord this year, the most we have ever had. She helped with some of it and knows very well how much work goes into it and also how much heat comes from it. We wanted to build a wood shed this year but didn't get to it, so we stacked it outside the living room door, or at least 14 cord of it. She initially said she didn't want it that close to the house again, but once it was all stacked and tarped, she said "it sure is nice to have it right here so we can just grab it." The wood shed will be not far from the door, lol.
