I think there is a lot of "easier to pay the heating bill than the labor to cut, transport, stack wood" mentality. If you have to purchase firewood is it all that cost effective? I don't really know. I have a woodburner in my 700sq ft shop and have a lifetime supply of wood split and stacked inside the adjoining machine shed so I don't even have to go outside for more fuel. I've never encountered a time when I didn't have access to free wood, but my situation may be unique.
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Neighbor has a wood burner for his office and part of his house. When the wind is heavy from the north I struggle blowing snow from the heavy smoke (at least smell) that I have to deal with. Will start coughing and hacking and I don’t have any asthma issues.
I 110% agree, re: "fireplace novelty." Worthless, as in the heat goes up the chimney, mostly.
However, as one that has a wood burner, I disagree with the/your notion, "that in order go heat a house full time you need exponentially more wood." So what? A $25 permit allows all the wood we need...plus great excercise (cutting, loading, splitting, stacking).
We have to open windows, no matter how cold it is (sub zero - regularly) once a wood burner is cooking.
The radiant heat that eminates from a wood burner fire (about 30 minutes in), is unreal - heats our house rapidly.
Disadvantage. If one is in need of a steady "68-whatever," wood burners ain't gonna suffice.
Plus, the futzing around with a wood burner...kinda tedious. Then again, me and my gal? Less time in front of our monitors!
had access to apple firewood when a neighbor eliminated an older orchard. When we knew we were having company and the wind was right I always burned it. We always were complimented on how wonderful it smelled
We consider the "process"
(cutting, splitting, stacking...) to be good exercise, be outdoors throughout our beautiful mountain, autumn months.
Plus, Elk scouting, given the right area ( has never happened )
This reminded me of a time when I was with a (non smoking) buddy and we stopped at a convivence store for a drink. I purchased a pack of cigarettes' and he later asked me why I didn't purchase a different brand because they were cheaper. I stated I didn't like them and he replied well smoke is smoke, right? I countered with: which would you rather burn in your fireplace, an apple log or a tire? He said "I get your point" LOL
Good Lord, that would be eternal shoveling of stalks wouldnt it? Would almost need to stick a whole stalk bale in at a time probably.
Oooh just light the bale up. Move up from dumpster fire to corn riots.
KCCI already has quite a list of schools canceling for tomorrow, with many other schools already taking MLK day off. Its supposed to get above freezing on Tuesday, I think we will make it.
Check the all time records, beyond a week or so.
Ps. Let me know.when Iowa had snow, in June, July, August.
I'll make it easy for you. Google Ruth, NV.
KidSilverhair
Well-Known Member
Next Tuesday, you mean. This Tuesday (tomorrow) we may get above zero.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I would like to opt out of the cold weather now. That was enough for me.
Those who live where fuel (wood) is plentiful do use wood burners quite a bit. However if you have to buy it I can assure a cord is more than $25. And with a good winter it will take between 3-4 cords. At $250+ a cord......then the convenience of NG or propane with a 90% furnace almost becomes a no brainer.
And of course the winter season will be longer at that elevation. I have family out west and I know snow is possible 12 months out of the year at higher elevation. I also know during those summer months even with snow on the ground I can walk through it with shorts and a t-shirt when the sun is shining. So unless you are buried in the forest where you get no sun.....the cold and snow don't last that long in the summer months.
We had a wood boiler when we lived in the country (in Iowa). It kept our 4,800 sq ft home and 2 car garage as warm as we wanted, plus we connected it to the water heater. No permit needed to cut wood. Usually people approached us about cutting up/removing trees. The wood shed was 12x18, we'd stack it 8' high. Approximately 13.5 cords.
When people are discussing the merits of a "woodburner" it would be helpful to know their definition of of the one they are referring to. Are you talking about the pot bellied stove in the middle of the room as seen in old western shows, the one that is designed to supplement an existing gas fired system in which the heat is directed into the existing ductwork, or the newer (and very efficient) outdoor woodburners that actually heat a (glycol?) solution that is then pumped thru a heat exchhanger?
We call the latter a wood boiler.
The people that owned the home before us also had one, but removed it since they didn't want to do the work, said it wasn't very efficient and commented how the ground/snow was melted where the lines ran from the boiler to the house. Found out why when we had one installed - they didn't insulate the lines and didn't dig them deep enough.
I'll add that option below the Opt-Out of In-State-Rivals forum in your user settings.
