reduce heating bill with Wood Stove

[Deere Toyz]

Actually, there are no "Hartman" stoves. Mine is a used Jotul F400 Castine and it is a fine stove. Many around the world would agree it is a pretty good stove from one of the historically premiere stive makers. Harmans are also good stoves and many equally love them. I think we all tend to love the one we have. The point is to embrace the fact that wood burning is fun and it will save you money assuming you have reasonable wood supplies.

They're only "messy" if you do not manage your wood. I'm lovin' me some stove heat tonight!!!

 

[Scott85]

I'm sorry it's a Harman wood stove.

 

[Deere Toyz]

I'm sorry it's a Harman wood stove.

I know, I was just pulling your leg. I have not burned a drop of oil yet, and my house(about 3000 sq ft) is hovering between 68 and 70 degrees. I burn at night. Get a small burn going in the am, and put a HomePrest Fire Log and a chunk of oak when I leave. The stove is warm on return with enough of a little glow to get the evening fire going. I really think I can save 3K in oil bills this year and have fun at the same time.

 

[Scott85]

Sorry double post

 

[s219]

I remember seeing a photocopy of this in my dad's workshop when I was a kid about 35 years ago:

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Save $$$?
Heat with Wood

First year costs:

2 stoves and installation $1385.
Removal of hot water baseboard and boiler $238.
Search for reputable wood dealer N/A $76.
Chain saw $210.
Ax, wedges, maul, cant hook, etc. $119.
Old truck (junk after 1st load) $595.
Newer truck $8645.
Tire chains $88.
Replace truck's rear windoiw (twice) $310.
Fine for cutting wrong trees $500.
5-acre woodlot $4995.
Splitting machine $950.
14 cases of beer $126.
6 fifths ginger brandy $38.
Fine for littering $250.
Towing charge (brook to road) $50.
Gas, oil, files, Band-aids $97.
Doctor's fee (sawdust in eye) $45.
Medical cost for broken toe (dropped log) $128.
Safety shoes $35.
Attempt to fix burned hole in carpet $76.
New living room carpet $699.
Paint living room $110.
Taxes on woodlot $44.
Woodlot boundary dispute settlement $465.
Roof repair after chimney fire $840.
Fine for assaulting fireman $50.
Extension ladder $55.
Chimney brush $22.
Medical fee for broken leg (fell off roof) $478.
Chimney cleaning service $90.
Replace coffee table (chopped up and burned while too drunk to bring firewood up from cellar) $79.
Divorce settlement $14,500.
EXPENSES $36,388

Sale of hot water boiler system $125.
Fuel oil savings $376.
CREDITS $501.

NET COST OF FIRST YEAR WOOD BURNING OPERATION; $35,887.

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From: humor1-01.htm

 

[dave1949]

s219, That old wood burning joke is still funny.

Some current data on fuel cost comparisons in New Hampshire:
N.H. turns to its trees for heat | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

"As of earlier this week, pellets – when delivered in bulk – cost more than only natural gas: $14.98 to produce 1 million BTUs compared to $11.46 for the cheapest natural gas, according to the Office of Energy and Planning. Cord wood was at $15.15, fuel oil at $26.07 while electric was the highest at $43.27 per million BTUs."

The cord wood cost assumes it is being purchased retail ready to burn of course.

 

[dave1949]

Some related wood burning news; your wood stove fuel competitors (maybe):
New wood-to-power plant expected to fire up soon in N.H. | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

"The plant will produce 75 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 75,000 homes. It will use about 750,000 tons of “biomass” a year, burning just about every part of a tree that can’t be turned into a board."

At ~50 tons (of chips) per load, 750,000 tons per year is 15,000 tractor trailer loads per year. Assuming a six day per week delivery plan, that's 48 truck loads per day.

For context, it took the loggers about two weeks to produce 28 truck loads from my chip harvest this past July. I think they could have worked faster/longer hours if they had to, and the weather was not cooperating some of that time.

 

[Midniteoyl]

s219, That old wood burning joke is still funny.

Some current data on fuel cost comparisons in New Hampshire:
N.H. turns to its trees for heat | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

"As of earlier this week, pellets – when delivered in bulk – cost more than only natural gas: $14.98 to produce 1 million BTUs compared to $11.46 for the cheapest natural gas, according to the Office of Energy and Planning. Cord wood was at $15.15, fuel oil at $26.07 while electric was the highest at $43.27 per million BTUs."

The cord wood cost assumes it is being purchased retail ready to burn of course.

What was the cost per cord? What wood? Oak avg's around 22 million BTU's per cord (or more). At the $90 a cord, split, I paid, thats a whole lotta BTU's for the dollar.. About $4 a million At even double that (the norm here), its still cheaper..

Sweep's Library - Firewood BTU Comparison Charts

Which Firewood Give the Most Heat Firewood Guide BTU Rating Chart

Also, what electric price was being use? Around here, we start at 7 cents per KWhr and go down with use..

 

[dave1949]

What was the cost per cord? What wood? Oak avg's around 22 million BTU's per cord (or more). At the $90 a cord, split, I paid, thats a whole lotta BTU's for the dollar.. About $4 a million At even double that (the norm here), its still cheaper..

Sweep's Library - Firewood BTU Comparison Charts

Which Firewood Give the Most Heat Firewood Guide BTU Rating Chart

Also, what electric price was being use? Around here, we start at 7 cents per KWhr and go down with use..

The numbers in the article come from this chart: Fuel Prices | Energy Division | NH Office of Energy and Planning

They are current, and only applicable to NH, and surely represent a state-wide average there.

As to wood species, firewood dealers around this area sell mixed hardwoods (maple, ash, oak and beech primarily). I suppose you could order a load of 100% oak, but that would cost more I think.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm sorry it's a Harman wood stove.

Harman does make a fine quality stove!