My "Jan" gas bill just posted online and it was $180.05 this year. Last year the bill for Jan was $352.19. This is a little misleading because Jan 2011 was 30 days and Jan 2010 was 33. Also Nat Gas is about 9.5% cheaper this year. When you standarize the days at 30 you are looking at $180.05 vs $320.17. If you remove the savings from the drop in nat gas prices you are looking at $180.05 vs $292.95.
So my savings from burning somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 cord of wood is right around $113 for the coldest month of the year. This Jan was a bit colder then last year so maybe the savings were really in the $125-$135 range.
So so far based on my savings in Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan I've saved $225-$250 assuming $0 cost for wood, tools, labor, stove, stove install, and chimney maintance and cleaning. Assuming mostly scrounged wood my breakeven should be in the area of 10-12 years, certainly not the "savings" I had hoped for.
Bottomline right now: If you have nat gas and prices stay in this area burning wood probably costs you money so do it for the ambiance. If Nat Gas shoots back up to 2007-2008 levels you might be in for some savings but until then don't expect any.
So my savings from burning somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 cord of wood is right around $113 for the coldest month of the year. This Jan was a bit colder then last year so maybe the savings were really in the $125-$135 range.
So so far based on my savings in Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan I've saved $225-$250 assuming $0 cost for wood, tools, labor, stove, stove install, and chimney maintance and cleaning. Assuming mostly scrounged wood my breakeven should be in the area of 10-12 years, certainly not the "savings" I had hoped for.
Bottomline right now: If you have nat gas and prices stay in this area burning wood probably costs you money so do it for the ambiance. If Nat Gas shoots back up to 2007-2008 levels you might be in for some savings but until then don't expect any.