Cheap, Green, & Easy

[GUOG]

Last year at the end of winter my natural gas forced air furnace died so I replaced it myself with a new one. BUT, while waiting for the new one to arrive and during installation I had no heat. My house did not get down to freezing but I supplemented with electric room heaters when I was home. I tried one of my two fireplaces but it heated next to nothing. I figured out I can save money having the gas company shut off their supply for six, nine, ore even twelve months if i figure a way to heat all or part of my house with an alternate source (electric room heaters are probably the worst for cost). I pay $30+ a month ($400+ yr) to have an active line even with no gas usage. My brick 1500 ft two story stayed above 43 degrees during a few cold weeks in January with no furnace and a couple of electric room heaters when the outside temp was around twenty something. I typically keep the heat at 50-60 degrees. I have a fireplace in the basement and on the first floor with a clay tile lined chimney. I have CO detectors on every floor.

I wasn't sure which of the following might be the best way to save money and be self reliant at a lower cost. I could still contact the gas company to have them turn on if it looks to be a really cold winter.

A heat exchanger like Cozy Grate Fireplace Heater https://www.woodlanddirect.com/cozy...xiPhq2WIFpkaAtmwEALw_wcB&pla=no&utm_campaign= (I found a used one for $300) or weld a similar one on my own out of steel tube.

or an insert like https://www.buildclub.com/product/bc0_42437969-

or a pellet stove like Cleveland Iron Works https://www.northerntool.com/products/cleveland-iron-works-pellet-stove-with-smart-home-technology-21-064-btu-epa-certified-model-ps20w-ciw-87169?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Heaters & Stoves + Fireplaces > Corn & Pellet + Multi-Fuel Heaters&utm_campaign=

or a wood stove like Alpine Comfort Built HP40 https://comfortbilt.net/products/comfortbilt-alpine? or https://www.alibaba.com/pla/Heating...amcxxba9tdMMQm3mRqHZcnUDmeUnz1kcaAsHCEALw_wcB

or a used ancient wood stove that I found nearby that looks to be the size of my current furnace.

Any ideas about ease of installation/use, the bang for the buck, buying new or used, or building myself would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend thousands on something that I end up not using because of extra work but I don't want to spend too little and decide it works great and I should have gone bigger/better. I'm not even sure if I should install whatever in the basement fireplace since heat rises or on the first floor where I spend my time. Do any/all of these require me lining my clay tiles with metal liner? I know a 1/3 cord of wood is around $130 but I don't know how long that wood will last, how much heat each type of device will give, how much work each requires, etc. During the summer I even see a lot of wood on freebie sites that I could pick up and split myself even though it would need to dry out for a year.

Thanks in advance from a total wood fired noob!
You might tell me the same thing I got when I asked about raising chickens, basically an expensive hobby ;-)

 

[crstrode]

My brick 1500 ft two story stayed above 43 degrees during a few cold weeks in January with no furnace and a couple of electric room heaters when the outside temp was around twenty something. I typically keep the heat at 50-60 degrees.
You might tell me the same thing I got when I asked about raising chickens, basically an expensive hobby ;-)

You are already saving a big pile of money by not being married.
43 degrees is nowhere as cold as a wife's shoulder in a heatless house.

 

[begreen]

The heat exchanger will not do much. Fireplaces are heat losers that suck up warm room air as the fire dies down.

A pellet stove will work if there is a good, affordable supply of decent quality pellets locally available. They are small furnaces with a couple fans in them and not quiet. But some can be thermostatically regulated which is nice when on a digital thermostat.

An insert is a good option if one has a supply of fully seasoned wood. At this late date, getting fully seasoned wood from a seller will be next to impossible or fairly expensive.

 

[xman23]

Of all your options, wood stove heating is the most labor and time intensive. way of heating. The installation and wood can be costly. But DIY, and you can save a lot of the cost. You can buy wood, or like me scrounge, and cut your own. I've never purchased wood. And it doesn't have to be full time. Every fire is just less your heating system runs. Done right there can be a big yearly savings.

The pellet stove guys here can comment on what it cost to operate.

 

[GUOG]

Last year at the end of winter my natural gas forced air furnace died so I replaced it myself with a new one. BUT, while waiting for the new one to arrive and during installation I had no heat. My house did not get down to freezing but I supplemented with electric room heaters when I was home. I tried one of my two fireplaces but it heated next to nothing. I figured out I can save money having the gas company shut off their supply for six, nine, ore even twelve months if i figure a way to heat all or part of my house with an alternate source (electric room heaters are probably the worst for cost). I pay $30+ a month ($400+ yr) to have an active line even with no gas usage. My brick 1500 ft two story stayed above 43 degrees during a few cold weeks in January with no furnace and a couple of electric room heaters when the outside temp was around twenty something. I typically keep the heat at 50-60 degrees. I have a fireplace in the basement and on the first floor with a clay tile lined chimney. I have CO detectors on every floor.

I wasn't sure which of the following might be the best way to save money and be self reliant at a lower cost. I could still contact the gas company to have them turn on if it looks to be a really cold winter.

A heat exchanger like Cozy Grate Fireplace Heater https://www.woodlanddirect.com/cozy...xiPhq2WIFpkaAtmwEALw_wcB&pla=no&utm_campaign= (I found a used one for $300) or weld a similar one on my own out of steel tube.

or an insert like https://www.buildclub.com/product/bc0_42437969-

or a pellet stove like Cleveland Iron Works https://www.northerntool.com/products/cleveland-iron-works-pellet-stove-with-smart-home-technology-21-064-btu-epa-certified-model-ps20w-ciw-87169?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Heaters & Stoves + Fireplaces > Corn & Pellet + Multi-Fuel Heaters&utm_campaign=

or a wood stove like Alpine Comfort Built HP40 https://comfortbilt.net/products/comfortbilt-alpine or https://www.alibaba.com/pla/Heating...amcxxba9tdMMQm3mRqHZcnUDmeUnz1kcaAsHCEALw_wcB

or a used ancient wood stove that I found nearby that looks to be the size of my current furnace.

Any ideas about ease of installation/use, the bang for the buck, buying new or used, or building myself would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend thousands on something that I end up not using because of extra work but I don't want to spend too little and decide it works great and I should have gone bigger/better. I'm not even sure if I should install whatever in the basement fireplace since heat rises or on the first floor where I spend my time. Do any/all of these require me lining my clay tiles with metal liner? I know a 1/3 cord of wood is around $130 but I don't know how long that wood will last, how much heat each type of device will give, how much work each requires, etc. During the summer I even see a lot of wood on freebie sites that I could pick up and split myself even though it would need to dry out for a year.

Thanks in advance from a total wood fired noob!
You might tell me the same thing I got when I asked about raising chickens, basically an expensive hobby ;-)

I've decided I am probably going with a freestanding wood or pellet stove (better heating and no electric fans) if I can find one that will vent into my fireplace chimney. It looks like either might heat my 1500 sq ft house without paying the gas company $42 a month ($500yr) for the pleasure of having the meter connected even with no usage. I usually keep the inside between 55-60 degrees and our average outside temperature is 35-45 during the four cold months. I figure most of the stoves I'm looking at will pay for themselves in two to three years unless I’m missing something. I’m not sure what is different between the <$1000 stoves and the >$3000-$4000 models that heat the same sq ft.

We just had bad storms in Ohio so downed hardwood trees are plentiful for free right now (I’ve already gathered a cord of green wood for next year). I have a 1/3 cord seasoned but would probably have to purchase more ($175 1/3 cord now) for the first year. I have no idea how much wood you go through a day or a season. 40 pound bags of pellets are also available at 3 local stores for $6-$7 (I've read you can go through a bag a day).

These look like decent <$1000 inexpensive stoves but I’m not sure if they will vent into my fireplace (opening is about 28” high) I’m not sure if I can cut down legs to lower them-
Ontario Wood Stove - Black 2,000 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $859
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CLEVELA...ft-Ontario-Wood-Stove-Black-F500105/325489296

Master Forge 2500 sq ft Heating Area Firewood and Fire Logs Wood Stove - $799
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Master-For...-Firewood-and-Fire-Logs-Wood-Stove/5013981483

Drolet Spark II EPA Certified 1,200 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $949
https://factorypure.com/products/drolet-spark-ii-epa-certified-1-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-new

England's Stove Works Englander 32-NC Wood Stove - $979 2400 Sq. Ft.
https://factorypure.com/products/englands-stove-works-englander-32-nc-wood-stove-new

It looks like I may need to get a smaller stove —
Drolet Deco II EPA Certified 1,800 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $1129
https://factorypure.com/products/drolet-deco-ii-epa-certified-1-800-sq-ft-wood-stove-new

or one that vents out of the back like this which is expensive-
MF Fire 23 Inch Nova Freestanding Wood Burning Stove - $3431
https://www.efireplacestore.com/mff-mf-002-bp01.html?refnum=Aug-205-3785

Or am I better off with an insert -
Vogelzang Plate Steel Wood Burning Fireplace Insert with Blower — 69,000 BTU, EPA Certified, Model# VG1820-D -$1000
https://www.northerntool.com/produc...69-000-btu-epa-certified-model-vg1820-d-97826

Ashley Hearth AW1820E EPA Certified 1,200 sq. ft. Wood Stove Insert with Blower - $1309
https://factorypure.com/products/as...1-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-insert-with-blower-new

I assume I also need a chimney liner-
This is the cheapest I’ve seen - Selkirk® 6'' ID x 35' Stainless Single Wall Wood Fireplace Liner Insert Kit - $445
https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...insert-kit/1768156/p-1444453719461-c-6895.htm

I was recently told that I would have to stoke a wood stove every few hours, my insurance may change and I have to remove my TV from above my mantle.

Thanks again for any suggestions, tips, hints, or wisdom.

 

[GUOG]

Of all your options, wood stove heating is the most labor and time intensive. way of heating. The installation and wood can be costly. But DIY, and you can save a lot of the cost. You can buy wood, or like me scrounge, and cut your own. I've never purchased wood. And it doesn't have to be full time. Every fire is just less your heating system runs. Done right there can be a big yearly savings.

The pellet stove guys here can comment on what it cost to operate.

Thanks so much for your reply, I came up with additional questions and options for the experts and replied to my original post.

 

[bholler]

I've decided I am probably going with a freestanding wood or pellet stove (better heating and no electric fans) if I can find one that will vent into my fireplace chimney. It looks like either might heat my 1500 sq ft house without paying the gas company $42 a month ($500yr) for the pleasure of having the meter connected even with no usage. I usually keep the inside between 55-60 degrees and our average outside temperature is 35-45 during the four cold months. I figure most of the stoves I'm looking at will pay for themselves in two to three years unless I’m missing something. I’m not sure what is different between the <$1000 stoves and the >$3000-$4000 models that heat the same sq ft.

We just had bad storms in Ohio so downed hardwood trees are plentiful for free right now (I’ve already gathered a cord of green wood for next year). I have a 1/3 cord seasoned but would probably have to purchase more ($175 1/3 cord now) for the first year. I have no idea how much wood you go through a day or a season. 40 pound bags of pellets are also available at 3 local stores for $6-$7 (I've read you can go through a bag a day).

These look like decent <$1000 inexpensive stoves but I’m not sure if they will vent into my fireplace (opening is about 28” high) I’m not sure if I can cut down legs to lower them-
Ontario Wood Stove - Black 2,000 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $859
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CLEVELA...ft-Ontario-Wood-Stove-Black-F500105/325489296

Master Forge 2500 sq ft Heating Area Firewood and Fire Logs Wood Stove - $799
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Master-For...-Firewood-and-Fire-Logs-Wood-Stove/5013981483

Drolet Spark II EPA Certified 1,200 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $949
https://factorypure.com/products/drolet-spark-ii-epa-certified-1-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-new

England's Stove Works Englander 32-NC Wood Stove - $979 2400 Sq. Ft.
https://factorypure.com/products/englands-stove-works-englander-32-nc-wood-stove-new

It looks like I may need to get a smaller stove —
Drolet Deco II EPA Certified 1,800 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove - $1129
https://factorypure.com/products/drolet-deco-ii-epa-certified-1-800-sq-ft-wood-stove-new

or one that vents out of the back like this which is expensive-
MF Fire 23 Inch Nova Freestanding Wood Burning Stove - $3431
https://www.efireplacestore.com/mff-mf-002-bp01.html?refnum=Aug-205-3785

Or am I better off with an insert -
Vogelzang Plate Steel Wood Burning Fireplace Insert with Blower — 69,000 BTU, EPA Certified, Model# VG1820-D -$1000
https://www.northerntool.com/produc...69-000-btu-epa-certified-model-vg1820-d-97826

Ashley Hearth AW1820E EPA Certified 1,200 sq. ft. Wood Stove Insert with Blower - $1309
https://factorypure.com/products/as...1-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-insert-with-blower-new

I assume I also need a chimney liner-
This is the cheapest I’ve seen - Selkirk® 6'' ID x 35' Stainless Single Wall Wood Fireplace Liner Insert Kit - $445
https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...insert-kit/1768156/p-1444453719461-c-6895.htm

I was recently told that I would have to stoke a wood stove every few hours, my insurance may change and I have to remove my TV from above my mantle.

Thanks again for any suggestions, tips, hints, or wisdom.

Of those i.would go with the larger drolet or the Englander. The vogelzand and Ashley are typically lower quality imported stoves. No idea about master forge or Ontario wood stove. I would also look at inserts because most cheaper stoves are going to be top vent and would need to.be slid back into the fireplace seriously compromising the efficiency.

Your liner should also be insulated that can be with an insulation kit or a pre insulated liner

 

[begreen]

A Drolet Escape 1800i insert may be the solution if it fits. What are the full dimensions of the fireplace?

 

[kborndale]

If wood is your only heat your going to go through 3-8 cords a year depending on how big an area you're trying to heat and how well insulated the house is. Unfortunately outside of the 1/3 cord you have seasoned already you're out of luck. The chance of buying wood that will be ready to burn this year is slim to none unless it's kiln dried and then you mys well just burn gas. Try looking for the compressed wood bricks till you have a good wood supply.

 

[EbS-P]

The Drolet 1800i is still one of the best values available. Plan on getting a mid weight flexible stainless liner and wrapping with UL listed insulation.

 

[bigealta]

i'd keep the gas on Dec-Mar. That way you can be freeze protected. You would most likely need 3-4 cords of good seasoned wood to heat your house. Maybe you get lucky and find free woodpile give aways from friends/family neighbors moving. it happens rarely but sometimes. i got about a cord of seasoned wood in the last year that way. The rush is on for getting wood, not the stove. Take some time to settle on a good stove or insert.