Wood vs pellet in Florida

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sailor61

sailor61

Burning Hunk
Nov 28, 2006
124
Warwick, RI
Currently living in RI and my primary heat source is a Woodstock Fireview that I love...it's a great stove. Cord wood is easy to get here. I'm considering making some changes in location and central Florida, a bit north of Orlando, is looking like a possibility. Winter nights can be cool, and occasionally even cold, there.

A wood stove remains a reality but I'm questioning if I do this, do I move the Woodstock and stick with cordwood or is a pellet stove a better option? My concerns are availability and cost of cord wood in Florida. Storing wood with the dampness/bugs. Would is just be too much stove ? And the practicality of moving the Woodstock that distance - cost in moving mainly.

I've never been a pellet fan here in the north but I'm wondering if they aren't a better option in that area? Are pellets are readily available? Would the controls on a pellet allow me to keep things more comfortable?

Can anyone give me some info on cordwood in the Sumter County area ? I've looked at craigslist and it's summer there so wood isn't exactly high on anyone's list...

One thing to add...I have a generator so powering a pellet stove would not be an issue.

Thoughts, ideas, feedback?

THANKS
 
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What's the sq ftg of the FL place? Is it an open floorplan? What is the primary source of heat? Heatpump, natural gas?

There are a lot of tree service companies in the area that also sell firewood. Check local yellow pages for firewood:
http://www.yellowpages.com/sumterville-fl/firewood
 
I don't have a specific place in mind yet. Though, I can say it will likely be between 1000 and 1200 sq ft with a fairly open floor plan. Most places I've looked at have either electric resistance or heat pump.

Embarassing to admit that I've gotten so attuned to online sources such as craigslist etc that the yellow pages never dawned on me..
 
LOL, it was a google search that pointed me first to the yellow pages.

The Fireview could be too much until temps got below 40F. Personally I'd probably put in a good mini-split system.
 
Try and find a place that sells pellets in the area. If you cant your question will be answered. There was a member a couple years ago that moved to the panhandle area of Florida and brought their insert with them they were unable to find pellets. That could have changed recently though I dont know. There will always be firewood unless your move somewhere barren. Pellet stoves are comfortable in the 40s, even 50s for that matter.
 
One concern I have is that the Woodstock would be too much stove since it keeps 1400 sf comfortable here in the teens and 20s. And a mini split is an absolute given in some situations. One older place I'm slightly interested in has only wall units and those would going bye bye immediately.
 
For the number of night that cold might ever be an issue I think I might be more concerned with the other 360 days' fuel for the AC.
:)
 
The average overnight low for Dec, Jan and Feb is the middle to low 40s with record temps in the low 20s. Back up heat is an issue and being from the NE I can't past the fear of electric heat and the associated operating costs.
 
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The Fireview is heavy but just another thing in the van. Heck I put a whole car in the moving van with the furniture when we moved here. Certainly you know how to heat with the Fireview on days the same temps where you are as they will be there. And it is paid for and you are used to operating it.
 
sailor61 said:
The average overnight low for Dec, Jan and Feb is the middle to low 40s with record temps in the low 20s. Back up heat is an issue and being from the NE I can't past the fear of electric heat and the associated operating costs.
Click to expand...
I think you will find FL&P rates notably lower than rates in New England. A mini-split's power cost could be less than buying wood.
 
sailor61 said:
The average overnight low for Dec, Jan and Feb is the middle to low 40s with record temps in the low 20s. Back up heat is an issue and being from the NE I can't past the fear of electric heat and the associated operating costs.
Click to expand...

I think your getting worked up unnecessarily unless your moving into a house missing the side. Trying to accommodate the coldest nights with a cheap fuel generally is not the cheapest in the long run when you include the installation cost and product cost. Its not 40 and overcast during the day its 60-70 and sunny for at least part of it.

Do what makes you happiest would be my suggestion in this case.
 
Leave the stove. It's worth more where it is. When you get to the new house and know the options let's talk again.
 
Get a chiminea for the back yard. The lizards will love ya.
 
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