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[woodwalker2010]

The way I see it, I get three times the heat from wood than I would from my gas. First I get hot cutting it, then I get warm stacking it, then I'm all nice and cozy watching the smoke roll from my Portage and Main!!! AWESOME.

[andyhowardcity]

I knew this was an emotional topic 
I'm glad I'm not the only one fired up  about it. 

[doow14]

We used to put back money all year long to pay oil and propane bills $4000 a year too live in a cool house,no more of that, buy some wood once in a while when its a deal. Mostly cut what we need for the winter ya it can be a bit of a chore sometimes but the good feeling always prevales,knowing that your taking care of your family,instaed of just forkin over your money like a puppet to big business.I did some math on it stove paid for itself last winter.Going into our fourth winter and haven't used a drop of oil or propane.Havent cut any wood for a couple weeks, Me and my boy are going out to do that tommaro and get that good feeling.Stay warm,Dwight

[artbaldoni]

150 gallons of oil since Nov 2010. Used the oil when on vacation etc. Burn year round for DHW. Live on 15 acres of woods. Brother lives on 20. He doesn't burn wood. Super Storm Sandy provided "free" wood for the next 5 years!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbaldoni/sets/72157636391329243/

[MattyNH]

150 gallons of oil since Nov 2010. Used the oil when on vacation etc. Burn year round for DHW. Live on 15 acres of woods. Brother lives on 20. He doesn't burn wood. Super Storm Sandy provided "free" wood for the next 5 years!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbaldoni/sets/72157636391329243/

Looks like my buddy's land when a very rare EF1/EF2 tornado ripped through his land and his father's land back in '08..Ive gotten quite a bit of wood from them ..Still theres a lot down...Funny some to the trees that are down are still alive...

[AirForcePOL]

Based on what I used to pay in propane, a truckload of wood is worth about $150 to me.  It's a great feeling knowing that when I go out on a Sunday morning with my buddies and cut 2 loads of wood I basically just made $300.  My entire system (rebuilt H2) only cost me about $1500.  I'm going on my 3rd season with it and it paid for itself in the first year.  It's all profit from here on out!  There's nothing better than "free" heat and not having to worry about paying that propane bill to keep my family warm! 

[oldchenowth]

I can see half way where the dude is coming from.  Initial investment is really quite high.  Research your stove, find a qualified dealer, install. and get wood.  Nothing is free!  But, the investment is in your homestaed and quality of life.  The labor of getting the wood is often inconvenient and time consuming.  I have yet to be "ahead of the season" and probably never will be.  The fact is I am still broke, but it is not due to keeping the family warm by giving my money to someone else, it is because of my own stupidity and toys I WANT to have.  I finally have a say where my money is spent in this area anyway.  It is way worth the investment in my household not to be held at the mercy of someone else to tell me what I will spend to keep them warm.

[slimjim]

VERY, VERY well said

[CountryBoyJohn]

2 things.  First, on the main topic of this thread, I can totally relate to the emotions surrounding heating my home with wood.  I find myself anxious toward the end of the day so I can go home and check on the stove.  In the evenings, after I have loaded the stove, I keep wanting to go out there and open her up on a burn cycle and watch it do its magic!!  I'm all grins and giggles when it comes to this stove.  My family is sick and tired of hearing about it!  But, I can't help NOT talk about it.  This thing has changed my life and my families! 

Second, as to the secondary topic that has developed, the justification for heating my house this way is a no-brainer.  My dad and I keep arguing about the word "free."  I say I am enjoying my "free" heat and "free" hot water.  He sees the work that goes into harvesting wood as "payment."  I can see how some of you may see it that way as well.  I don't.  There are certain chores that go into running a home.  I do the dishes for "free," I mow the yard for "free," my wife does the laundry and cooks for "free" so why can't I cut wood to heat my house for "free?"  It is work that is necessary for the level of function that I provide for my household.  I could hire these items out if I wanted to.  Then that wouldn't be "free." 

Wood heat isn't for everyone.  It IS a lot of hard work!  But, I THRIVE on hard work.  It makes my blood flow.  It makes the rewards that much greater to know that I did it on my own. 

[doow14]

I did the math,if something happened that layed me up from cutting wood I could still buy all the wood needed for the season at less than half what I was paying out for oil and propane.Still be saving over 2k a season.2 grand is a hell of a lot a money in this family times being as they are.Dont even want to think about the shape w'ed be in without the savings from that stove.Stay warm.D

[doow14]

2 things.  First, on the main topic of this thread, I can totally relate to the emotions surrounding heating my home with wood.  I find myself anxious toward the end of the day so I can go home and check on the stove.  In the evenings, after I have loaded the stove, I keep wanting to go out there and open her up on a burn cycle and watch it do its magic!!  I'm all grins and giggles when it comes to this stove.  My family is sick and tired of hearing about it!  But, I can't help NOT talk about it.  This thing has changed my life and my families! 

Second, as to the secondary topic that has developed, the justification for heating my house this way is a no-brainer.  My dad and I keep arguing about the word "free."  I say I am enjoying my "free" heat and "free" hot water.  He sees the work that goes into harvesting wood as "payment."  I can see how some of you may see it that way as well.  I don't.  There are certain chores that go into running a home.  I do the dishes for "free," I mow the yard for "free," my wife does the laundry and cooks for "free" so why can't I cut wood to heat my house for "free?"  It is work that is necessary for the level of function that I provide for my household.  I could hire these items out if I wanted to.  Then that wouldn't be "free." 

Wood heat isn't for everyone.  It IS a lot of hard work!  But, I THRIVE on hard work.  It makes my blood flow.  It makes the rewards that much greater to know that I did it on my own.

[doow14]

well said countryboy tell it the way it is

[fryedaddy]

I feel like I'm doing my part in sustaining my environment.
I wouldn't say I'm completely equal in heating but at least
I'm not using fossil fuels and reduced electricity for heat.

I love being outside and enjoy the wood work.

[rogeroverout621]

Well said country boy.

I figure if I benefit from the workout of cutting and moving wood and enjoy the process, my time spent is free. No one factors their time spent watching tv into their cable bill!

[Roger2561]

One grapple load of logs will yield about 12 plus cord, cost me about $1,000.00.  That's 2 winters worth of fuel and I keep my home at 72/73 degrees.  The cost of fuel oil to heat my home and DHW was a pinch over $5,000.00 for ONE year and I had to keep my home at 68 degrees.  $5,000.00 worth of logs will heat my home for 10 winters.  I think I'll stick with the wood heat.  Roger