December Usage

In spite of December being extremely warm, especially in southern East Coast locales,, I managed to use 32 bags this month, thanks to my recently departed father in law. 29 MWP and 3 Blazers.

 

I don't do count as long the princess is warm including myself It must be lower than last year, better be

 

13 bags here, and most of those have been in the past week.

Last year I burned 38 in December. I haven't even burned a half ton yet this season.

 

Or is it?

 

I don't do the count dracula thing

 

A ton and a third since Oct so far this year. Pellet stove is the only heat source I'm using so far this year. Way less than last year for sure.

 

A few hours here and there on the wood cook stove mostly for cooking and canning, this season has been easy by our estimates. We may have used thirty bags this season.

 

Hmmmm.

Wettest December ever here, and fairly cool too.

We have been going through at least two 5 gallon pails of shells per day and the past week we have been running both Whits round the clock and using closer to four pails a day.

A rough guess would be about 1000 pounds for December.

Glad to have plenty stored up.

Snowy

 

I have burnt around 12 bags in December. So far since 1st of November, 1st burn for the season, I have burnt 19 bags. Had 2 ton to start and now 81 bags left. I'm thinking I might just make that last & not buy another ton, anymore this burn season. 81 bags will get me into March, easily. If I need any after that, just buy a few here and there, if needed. Last year I burnt 3-1/2 tons, way down from that this year.

 

December was our 3rd warmest on record but now the 1st for rainfall. I can not ever remember a warmer one in my lifetime. X-Mas Eve and day both hit 70 - 72*. Not really complaining here either. Many across the US have had it easy thus far. Just holding out and hoping we don't pay the piper this month thru March.

I have about 6 tons left. They are under roof and can stay put until the fall of 2016 for all I care. That would be very, very nice!

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!

 

IMO, if a decent deal for a ton of pellets presents itself, I'd grab another ton. It's always possible we can still have an extended cold spell......peace of mind having a little heat "insurance".

And even if that doesn't happen, those pellets will burn just fine next winter.

 

My new furnace still isn't connected to our unit, so just the pellet stove for heat.
That stove nearly drives me out even on the Stat. Way to Hot, but the wife just loves it. I wish I had the space back to store things. I would keep 4-6 tons back up. History has taught me not to be on the short end of things.

 

I agree with Pete , if a deal presents itself go for it , at least I would replace some of what you have burned , I know this is a strange year and there won't be any shortages , I like to have that buffer just in case .

 

You made pellets out of your father-in-law ............ I am at a loss for words

 

savemoney , how far from the stove is your stat? If it's too far, the stat thinks the whole room has cooled off and the stove runs. Moving it closer will keep the temp more consistent. That's also one of the advantages to remote control stats like the SkyTech units some people have. You can sit the remote in diff. parts of the house to see which one gives you the best control of the stove, temp wise. I think I remember Xena has one, and seemed to really like it.

Kinda expensive, but there may be other brands available. I think this was the model most thought was a good fit for pellet stoves:
Skytech 3301P Programmable Thermostat | PlumbersStock

 

We officially had the warmest December on record (the next warmest was beaten by 2* and was in the 1800's). Don't count the bags per month, but I do know I didn't fill the stoves nearly as much as I would have expected. Still, have gone thru close to 2 tons so far but I had the wall to the garage half tore out for about 2 months, so used way more than I normally would have Sept - October (much better with new sheet rock in place!).

 

Would have to go look up Dec only and I'm nice and toasty in bed (so not gonna happen). But I recall season to date as 54 bags this year through Dec, vs 88 last season for same dates. That's with two stoves. Did replace the little Whit with a Quad Santa Fe I hooked up to a Nest, and it uses far fewer pellets, I think, because it doesn't overheat the room. Haven't had to test it during really cold weather, though, 'cause we haven't had any.