Not sure if I will follow through, but I am seriously debating reducing the firewood consumption this year. Fuel down as much as it is, it doesn't seem to make sense to burn the wood as aggressively. Use the cheaper fuel this year and save some of the wood for when the oil goes back up. Not saying the stove won't be used, but I think longer burns will be in order and the burner will make up the difference. Anyone else having these wicked, evil thoughts?
Regardless of fuel prices I won't alter the way we heat. And if the farmers almanac has anything to do with this years predictions, I may be heating just as hard as last year. A majority of the wood I have is free, can't beat that when it compares to fuel oil and gas.
I will probably burn more oil and a bit less wood this year depending on our work schedules. Wife is working a regular work week now. same as me. this may let the fire burn down during the day. Weekends we'll be heating with wood as usual
We did that last year and still burned what we normally do. Bad winter. Hoping for an El Nino warmup this winter.
My wood is basically free and we enjoy the wood stove so I will continue to burn 24/7. The thermostat is usually set at 68°F. Even with cheaper prices I would have to burn a lot more fuel to keep the house at the same 75°F that my wood stove easily maintains. KaptJaq
Wood heat is all we got, so can't say otherwise... I think oil is a viable option for some, if equipped. Be great to get a reserve tank and stock up, too.
I enjoy the entire process, Cutting, splitting, stacking and the cozy heat. As for me and my house...we'll burn wood
I will burn 24/7 when the temps stay below 50. I just plan to see some very long burns that require some tactful reloading/restarting methods due to a minimal coal base. I too do not buy wood. So it is free. Let me find the thread where I figured out what the actual cost of my "free wood" really is though.
As others have said our wood is all free and I love the whole process and we like spending more time in the finished walkout basement near the stove in the winter. Our heat system is propane supplied by the company I work for so price is not a reason to stop using wood we always get a very good price.
Wood heat for us has never been about the savings, that is just the icing on the cake. We have propane forced air and it simply does not compare to the warmth from our soapstone stove. Plus, there is something magical about looking into the flames ... can't get enough of it.
It isn't about the $$$ for me. I'll be burning what it takes- I don't use my central heat. It is a matter of preference and a matter of pride.
Wife and I talked about putting in a new furnace a few days ago. We only have a wall heater in the living room (the blower is noisy as heck) and a direct vent heater in the laundry room, along with the stove. If we do that, the one in the living room is gettin' pulled (we don't use it anyway). We aren't getting any younger. It'll still be a choice of last resort though, for as long as possible.
I just today installed the first heater in our house, it is in the bathroom. So I think we'll be burning pretty much the same amount of wood Though I have only been a wood burner for a couple of years, I'll be sticking with it for a while. I love the cost, the warmth, and the process. Greg
Sitting at my favorite spot by the stove, nice drink, FWH forum on the tablet but no wood fire? Nah, the thought alone makes me shiver
My only other source of heat is electric, and it has not gotten cheaper!!! I will stick with wood heat.
I don't think the price of oil has dropped much, if any, up here. The robber barons (oil) up here, must like their illicit gains more than their American counterparts. I will therefore still burn wood and with the El Nino effect, probably more so (think '98 ice storm).
Could use more dry time for my firewood (red oak/ash/maple), so will probably burn the cheaper oil more than last year. Still gonna have fires in the Liberty when it's really cold.
