Do you have a big property ? Lot of acerage ? Acces to free burning wood ? If you don t mind the extra effort and have access to wood, this would be your cheapest long run option. A good design indoor gasifier wood boiler with appropriate storage usually need 1 fire a day. And you can heat the house wih radiant hydronic floor, and have your DHW heat by wood year round. But you have to remember that heating with wood is part of a lifestyle. If you hate processig wood, don t do it. There is a forum on wood burning with a LOT of usefuul info: hearth . com . I am in a new home and will be going with hydronic radiant that eventually will be heated by wood boiler
I have a wood boiler. I love it but it consumes a lot of wood.
I have a suggestion. I can't recall the name of what these are called - but basically its a masonry fireplace that takes long lengths of logs and it heats up a mass of block/stone which radiates heat long after the fire goes out. Burns very little wood.