Heating the house with firewood

[E1Allen]

Here in Michigan i was down 1800 bucks for propane last year soooo Its corn to the rescue!!

so far this year im down 700.00 for the year and might need 50 bucks more till spring

even with corn prices going up its still cheeper than propane!!

the corn info mecca!!!!!!

The inlaws have this in the basement of their house in MI. Heats the basement just fine.

I miss well water from home and the woodburning stove

 

[TriggerT]

I have 3 Stihl saws, and a 20 hp chipper for the small stuff. The best is when we are running trims at work. I sometimes get 2" thick maple or oak that can be up to 4 or 5 inches wide. Kiln dried, so it burns HOT and clean. One of the jobs I am running right now has over 37 MILES of trim. The rippings are free, and next to no work.

 

[dcarver]

I guess you can say I live the country bumpkin life, nearest town (5,201 people) is down a highway about eight miles away.
Yep, well water, septic tank and propane tank. Coyotes, deer, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, possum, bobcat, hawks, turkeys, buzzards, rattlesnakes, copperheads, cotton mouths, tarantulas, scorpions, fire ants and an occasional visit from a lone cougar.

Home is of my design, spent 4 1/2 years designing it on my drafting table and using a CAD program, utilizing energy efficient materials; insulated concrete forms, structural insulated panels, dimensional steel studs, standing seam metal roof, passive solar design, heat pumps, metal c-channel floor joists, radiant floor heating in bathrooms, tankless hot water heaters, double thermopane low e windows with argon gas filled interiors, remote control, temperature sensors on all seven ceiling fans activates them when certain temperatures are reached, control panels control hot water temps going to different parts of the house, 24 ft ceilings, 30 windows, 2,813 sq. ft with a 1,400 sq ft. attached garage, interior tornado shelter.

Average electric bill about $106.80 per month, (low month about $47.00, high month about $145.00), average propane cost about $8.67 a month.

Outside temperature range from 116 degrees in summer to 16 degrees in winter.

Interior temperature in summer, downstairs 75 degrees, upstairs 76 degrees, in winter, downstairs 72 degrees, upstairs 73 degrees.

I love country living, my house, my critters and my FJR.

Looks like I just found who will be drawing up my house plans.. ..and that corn burner is too cool. Didn't even know they existed.

 

[Jackson]

When I lived in a remote area in the mountains of California I heated with nothing but a wood stove. I burned 3 cords of oak each winter (warmed me once) that I cut with my Stihl chain saw (warmed me twice), then used a maul to split it (warmed me thrice). Now I live in a small town and heat with propane that cost $1.58 a gallon the last time I filled my tank. I miss the wood stove.

 

[dcarver]

Yep. Country folks know what types of wood burn the hottest/longest/cleanest. They also know where there food comes from, the time to plow, the time to plant, what a harvest moon really is. They know how to live a life without every luxury ever invented. I like country folk.

 

[Scoot]

All this grandios talk about the good ole' country living is about to make me vomit. As far as I can see, it serves only your ego. Well....and maybe your wallet. But, criminy! Give me a furnace that turns on and off by itself and I'll use the buckstove mostly for ambiance anyday. Ok, maybe I'm lazy, and maybe I'm stirring up some anger, but I don't want to "work" at home any more than I have to.

 

[fjr]

I used to live outside Lake Placid in NY in a house with only wood heat.

First year six full cords. That next summer I put in new windows and insulation

and used four full cords the following winter.

Then the year aftter I got a Monitor.

Then my ex got the house. :angry2:

 

[dcarver]

I used to live outside Lake Placid in NY in a house with only wood heat.First year six full cords. That next summer I put in new windows and insulation

and used four full cords the following winter.

Then the year aftter I got a Monitor.

Then my ex got the house. :angry2:

Evidently the Monitor didn't put out enough heat?

 

[05fjrBluedevil]

Yep, total electric, I use fire wood all winter, since the heat pump just doesn't cut it when it is below 35 outside, which was pretty much all winter this year...

i enjoyed it only after coming inside and getting in the heat!!!

I found myself outside chopping fire wood, while it was snowing a few times this year,,, it was fun, my puppy wolfie enjoyed it,

playing in the snow with my boxer Addie....

The forest rats across the street enjoyed it...

 

[Bounce]

Lived outside the city limits for several years. Loved the lack of hassles from the cooks of the city pot. Working with the Sheriff's office to address imported n'er-do-wells was always more satisfying than dealing with city cops. Total eletric with water well, septic, and a partridge in a pair tree. User a high-zoot kerosine heater after the first year because cleaning the fireplace was a major hassle (carry ashes due to no external "dump" to the fp design).

It was 3 miles to the nearest "anything" and that was a conveniece store. It was 35 miles to the nearest grocery store. Sure like to be able to choose between the various options for delivery (Chinese, Italian, Tai, etc.). Also like not having to commute (one way) an hour (wife was an hour-and-a-half) every day.

City life has its plusses. Now if I could just get rid of all these friggin' people!

 

[snikr]

This Vermonter heats with wood and uses his furnace as a backup. Only burn 100 gallons of fuel oil a winter and 3 1/2 cords of wood. Changing to a pellet stove as soon as my wood runs out. Getting to old to fool with the cutting, splitting and stacking of wood.

Tom

 

[keithaba]

I feel your pain, only my house is ALL electric. They really ought to include some KY with those $400 plus bills. That was for a 1250 sq ft house in NW Arkansas. It HAS been cold this past month, but the holes everywhere and lack of insulation from the remodel-in-progress didn't help.
David

I just had a house built, been in it for just 3 months now. I had the option for gas and the builder was like, "Oh, electric heat is ultra effecient and cheaper than gas. Electric heat is great.... The heat pump is amazing..."

Then I get my freeking bill, $300!!!!

Unbeleivable, my bill in a similar sized house with gas that I was renting was about 100-120 on the coldest months, 60-80 during hot months.

I do have a fireplace so we found using that helps out a lot. Keeps the living room about 68. Only problem is, then there is no heat in the bedroom and the bed becomes freeking freezing. Oh well, lesson learned, SCREW ELECTRIC HEAT!!!!

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

Live on acreage in the forest. Have well, septic, and a very efficent log stove. My Dogs and I both like peeing on the trees. House has electric heat but haven't run it in over a decade. Have propane tank for backup generator/ gen plug. You city bound zoo, poison floride swill sucking in the chemical scum all have my sympathy. :yahoo: TJ

I am staying here untill they pry my cold dead fingers....