I just wanted to update a blog I posted over on the main blog last December. Here is a link to the original blog titled How to Keep the Heat Off & Stay Warm This Winter. Here is a quick recap: In 2004 we moved into a house in the Northeast and we suffered
through our first winter going through 1600 gallons of propane to heat
our 2800 sqft house. That summer Katrina hit and LP prices spiked,
which put me over the edge. In Sept 05' we installed an EPA certified fireplace, a Quadra-fire 7100
and have never been warmer. Treated to an abundance of firewood in our
area, our house temperature is usually in the 70-75 degree range. My
kids are so spoiled that if the temp hits 68 degrees they are whining
about it being too cold. How much have we saved since we decided to
supplement our heating?
Here's a quick breakdown:
2004/2005 used 1600 gallons at 1.89 / gallon. $3024.00 for the
year (before fireplace)
2005/2006 used 400 gallons at 1.89 / gallon $756 2006 savings: 1200 gallons @ 1.89 = $2268
2006/2007 used 214 gallons at 2.30 / gallon $492. 2007 savings: 1386 gallons @ 2.30 = $3187
Updated portion:
2007/2008 used 311 gallons at 2.49 / gallon $774. 2008 savings: 1289 gallons @ 2.49 = $3210
So in 3 years of burning we've saved approximately $8665. After 2 years of use the the Quad and installation paid for itself and now its just gravy. How many capital
improvements have a 2 year ROI? Not many that I can think of. Had we
gone for a cheaper alternative like installing a wood stove into our existing fireplace it would have been an even shorter payoff as wood stoves are much cheaper to install and just as efficient.
If you're thinking about researching whether wood burning is for
you, here are some links to some great resources and products.
Everything you need to know about wood burning in general, wood stoves, gas stoves, pellet stoves, corn stoves and the entire hearth industry can be answered by visiting this site, Hearth.com. The Hearth.com Forums
consist of the best, most passionate group of people on the internet.
Poke around over there and you will quickly get up to speed on whether
heating with wood or is right for you.
Couple of products that I like:
Quadra-fire fireplaces and wood stoves
WoodStock Stoves - if you want a soapstone stove Woodstock is the best
Jotul Stoves another brand with a great reputation
Stihl Chainsaws only brand I use.