Is burning worth it?

Here's a post that was a response to me on Facebook from a post I made of my first fire of the year. I made a comment that I wasn't even sure if it is worth burning these days. That it has become a hobby and something I do because I love the warmth but also the beautiful view of my Fireview.

Well I have a friend on FB who worked in the energy world all his life. So he posted this general costs of the wide variety of heating options. Have a look. Now I know I am saving money.

Check this out.

Residential Heating System Cost Calculator | Efficiency Maine

 

By using this app, and using the 3 year plan many of us use here, I buy my wood green and season it over the next 3 years so my costs of a cord is $250, not $350. That dropped my yearly cost of $1225 per year. Way below the other heating systems.

 

There are many online heating cost calculators similar to these.
Is it worth it is not only a factor of dollars, also the security of having heating when the power goes down, the enjoyment (as you mention) of having a fire, and the satisfaction of working for ones own heating needs. I look at my wood shed and think that I'm golden for three years.

My wood is dropped free, or I even get paid or having a log load dropped of at my place. So other than my chainsaws, axes (no splitter), and the cost of the stove and woodshed material, it only costs me sweat and blood (it happens that a split hits my shins). No tears though

Is it worth it? It sure is to me.

 

Be tough to calculate cord cost for me. I scrounge and never pay for wood. Factoring time/labor would be difficult. I typically cut on site, bring home then split and stack till needed.


Definitely worth it to me. As stated above, I’m years (6+) ahead and have zero fear of going cold should the electricity go out. There’s a lot of value in that. Also lots of value (to me) in the physical activity it takes to get that wood collected and prepared.
I have zero interest or stake in the fluctuating costs needed to heat homes. That’s huge.