Firewood season upon us - what are your plans? - Page 2 - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**gunmaker** · 08-19-2008, 12:30 PM

I'm in the process of completing my woodstove installation. I plan on burning wood in the finished portion of my basement. Hopefully we will have a comfortably warm area to spend time during the winter, using the upstairs for sleeping/eating. The hopeful result will be a great decline in oil usage.
I've got 4 cord cut and stacked, and a ready supply of free wood at my disposal, just has to be harvested and split.

Deanster · 08-19-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati996

I havent found a real replacement for oil heat yet -without really spending more than I would spend on oil heat itself over a number of years.

Having access to firewood as you do, wouldn't it make sense to invest in a wood stove insert for your fireplace, or put a freestanding stove in the basement?

Mickey · 08-19-2008, 01:29 PM

As I've stated before, I gaev up on the stick burner some yrs back and now use a pellet stove. Got my yrs supply of pellets a few weeks back.

Still have a good supply of fire wood but is relagated to backyard firepit or firewood for our camping trips.

**PaulChristenson** · 08-19-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati996

right now its easy work - get free wood or have it dropped off, split it and deal with it later. The funny thing is, I dont heat my home with it its more cosmetic (fireplace) than anything. Its just something that will pay for it self very quickly...

Fireplace Inserts by Vermont Castings

**Ducati996** · 08-19-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanster

Having access to firewood as you do, wouldn't it make sense to invest in a wood stove insert for your fireplace, or put a freestanding stove in the basement?

Maybe I just dont know enough about it (them) to make a good decision -
Have a basement thats finished -and could benefit from an wood stove. Existing fireplace can be used as an insert too...

Dont know if I want to do wood or pellet? Not really thinking how much I would need to heat almost as a primary - how much wood i would need
and logistics to keep it dry and accessible

Deanster · 08-20-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati996

Maybe I just dont know enough about it (them) to make a good decision -
Have a basement thats finished -and could benefit from an wood stove. Existing fireplace can be used as an insert too...

Dont know if I want to do wood or pellet? Not really thinking how much I would need to heat almost as a primary - how much wood i would need
and logistics to keep it dry and accessible

If you have access to wood, I would go with that. Pellets are a market commodity, so things are outside your control. With wood, you can buy it or get it yourself. Wood is more work and messier, but who cares?

My last house had an old "country" brand insert that could easily heat the whole house (1728 sq ft). Having a stove in the basement makes a huge difference too.

I'd watch craigslist if I were you. You might find something cheap enough that allows you to try it out.

Dougster · 08-24-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanster

If you have access to wood, I would go with that. Pellets are a market commodity, so things are outside your control. With wood, you can buy it or get it yourself. Wood is more work and messier, but who cares?

My last house had an old "country" brand insert that could easily heat the whole house (1728 sq ft). Having a stove in the basement makes a huge difference too.

I'd watch craigslist if I were you. You might find something cheap enough that allows you to try it out.

Speaking of pellets...

Pellets started off at Home Depot (our cheapest local retail supplier) at $249 per ton (plus a $65 per order delivery fee) about 6 weeks ago before they had any pellet burning stoves in stock. They didn't actually have any pellets to sell at that time, but supposedly you could order them for later delivery at that price.

About three weeks ago, the pellet stoves started to arrive at HD... and immediately pellets jumped to $259 per ton (plus the delivery fee).

The week, I was in HD shopping for a few odd plumbing parts... and I noticed that they were out of pellet stoves and pellet prices had jumped to $299 per ton (plus the delivery fee).

No political or anti-business message here. Just an observation that various alternative heating energy sources seem to have a way of equalizing themselves. I am not surprised about this. Just a little amused that things can change so fast. As oil is falling... pellets are skyrocketing.

Dougster™

Mickey · 08-24-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

Speaking of pellets...

....

No political or anti-business message here. Just an observation that various alternative heating energy sources seem to have a way of equalizing themselves. I am not surprised about this. Just a little amused that things can change so fast. As oil is falling... pellets are skyrocketing.

Dougster™

I've thought for several yrs the energy industry is moving towards a policy of engery cost based on energy content. Say a million BTU's is going to cost about the same regardless of where the energy come from, petrolium, coal, electricity, natural gas, wood, etc.

Right now energy cost for electricity, wood pellets, cord wood, natural gas are fairly close to one another. Heating oil is the exception and coal is almost non-existant here.

Dougster · 08-24-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

I've thought for several yrs the energy industry is moving towards a policy of engery cost based on energy content. Say a million BTU's is going to cost about the same regardless of where the energy come from, petrolium, coal, electricity, natural gas, wood, etc.

Right now energy cost for electricity, wood pellets, cord wood, natural gas are fairly close to one another. Heating oil is the exception and coal is almost non-existant here.

If what you are saying is that there are no bargains left... I'd certainly have to agree with you. But there has always been a cost differential (i.e., a "premium") related to the cleanest and cheapest/easiest to handle fuels. I think that differential will always be there.

I still think I'm doing the best with my "pumpout" fuel... most recently procured at a very nice $1.75 per gallon for less than year old fuel. It may not be for everyone, but the old Dougster™ is currently up to his eyeballs in nice, relatively cheap No. 2 heating oil!

Dougster™

**irwin** · 08-24-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

I still think I'm doing the best with my "pumpout" fuel... most recently procured at a very nice $1.75 per gallon for less than year old fuel. It may not be for everyone, but the old Dougster™ is currently up to his eyeballs in nice, relatively cheap No. 2 heating oil!

Dougster™

I've got to give it to you Doug (tip hat) jumping on the slightly used oil sell out like you did is surely gonna save you some bucks, hopefully you got yourself enough storage to make it through winter 08-09 and beyond.