Matt, you have it nailed, at least the way we see it here at Cheap Acres.
We have a firebox with a chimney. No cats, no heat exchangers, no fans.
Burn it, the house gets warm. Keep it burning, the house stays warm.
Used the regular furnace 40 minutes this season. (4 times @ ten minutes to take off a chill while firing up the pigbelly)
The species of fuel doesn't matter, as long as it's dry enough to take off. I keep the chimney clean and not worry nor care
what's best as long as the AEP guy keeps his hands out of our small checking account.
Sure, we love our oak and ash, but any dry and clean fuel isn't above cremation.
You nailed it. If i happen to buy wood it better not have poplar or the like in it though!