Hey - We're halfway through heating season!

[Wilbur Feral]

With the first real cold snap this week, I took stock of my pellet inventory and noticed that we just passed the halfway point of what many consider the heating season, from Oct 1 to about April 15 (Jan 6-7 is the exact point). Of course, halfway point on pellet use comes later due to coldest temps in Jan-Feb.. For me, halfway point of last year's pellet use happened on Jan 21 (of course I track this stuff!). Pellet use to date this season is running about 5% behind forecast, too - good news.

Just a little observation from the geek end of pellet land...

 

[kappel15]

Time to pick up some more corn here.

 

[CladMaster]

In the next week or two I am going to need another 1 ton of pellets at a minimum to get to the end of the season.

 

[bags]

Yes Sir! A little optimism never hurts. I take note of it every year since my birthday is Jan 9th. That's about the time I am chopping at the bit for spring. Holidays are over and I begin feeling the cold crap burn out. It's not nearly as bad this winter at all. Not remotely close. The main reason is that I have not touched a piece of wood. I do not even want to look at any splits, rounds, nor wood. My log splitter is tucked way back into the rear corner of the barn. The chainsaws are more or less moth balled. GREAT!

I am a supporter of burning wood and will return especially in the cold like this. Just needed a break. It has kicked my can the last few winters. Pellets are wonderful and whoever wants to debate the work involved vs. processing firewood needs to have their heads examined. I won't even waste my time arguing with them any longer. I am no newbie to wood burning either. It's been my primary heat source for many years.

 

[Arti]

I don't track things very close However....


As I am posting this 71 days 20 hours and 14 minutes till spring

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Here's an old saying -- "Half your wood and half your hay, You should have on Candlemas Day."

February 2nd

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

The old Finns up in the UP have a phrase for winter's halfway point -- Karhu kaantaa kylkea, meaning "the bear turns over."

 

[Johnny_Fiv3]

Here's an old saying -- "Half your wood and half your hay, You should have on Candlemas Day."

February 2nd

Haven't heard that since my grandpa was alive! Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

 

[SXIPro]

So far this winter has been a huge dissapointment. Where's my damn snow ?????

 

[alternativeheat]

So far this winter has been a huge dissapointment. Where's my damn snow ?????

i don't know but if you want my part you can have it ! And if you are short on enough cold to support snow you can have my part of that too.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

"Hey we're halfway through the heating season"

yeah, the easy half

 

[SXIPro]

i don't know but if you want my part you can have it ! And if you are short on enough cold to support snow you can have my part of that too.

You're down the Cape, how much snow could you possibly have?

 

[woodmakesheat]

Hmmm, I'm halfway through my pellets, a good reminder that I should grab another 30 bags to a ton to be safe.

 

[alternativeheat]

You're down the Cape, how much snow could you possibly have?

Well see you only vacation here perhaps. Right now next to none, a dusting. And I like it like that very much. But I also have seen 3' in my driveway. That you can have if you would like it, LOL ! Now I realize that isn't six or seven ft of all winter cover but you know what, it's snow and being on the Cape that generally means very heavy wet snow that got delivered in 40-60 MPH winds and that freezes solid. Or indeed it could just as well have rained. It's funny, people move down here, they think it's Florida and get rid of their snow blowers and stuff. HA HA HA HA, jokes on them !

 

[F4jock]

Plenty of pellets. Good to go.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Yup

We are digging through the first ton of shells, and its getting close to time to go get another dumpster full.
There are many empty barrels in the basement now that are screaming FILL ME, FILL ME

We have had a couple Cold spells (Coldest was 18F ) and things are at a one stove level right now.

 

[bcarton]

Most people near me report going through 3-3.5 tons a year. First year with a stove, I started late, bought 4 tons total. Just opened the 2nd ton tonight. If January stays this cold, I'll buy another 20 or 30 bags, just to be safe. I will be very happy to have a ton or so left over in the spring.

 

[Threerun]

Meh- we've got until Easter here. We usually heat from when the Dead Rise til the He has Risen (Halloween to Easter).

 

[alternativeheat]

Yes Sir! A little optimism never hurts. I take note of it every year since my birthday is Jan 9th. That's about the time I am chopping at the bit for spring.

Happy Birthday Bags

That chomping at the bit for spring comes to me in Feb, when the Crocus bloom next the the houses south side foundation. Hey I've been known to go fly fishing in Feb for trout and get them in Feb ( long time past now) if there is open water that year.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Hey bags which way are you going up or down in age?

Happy birthday.

 

[bags]

LOL! Thanks, Although still a younger buck I think it would be wise to think about turning around about now. Eyes are getting worse by the day. Starting to slow a bit and feel reminds of all the abuse I've put myself thru. This getting old is fun in the wisdom dept. but in other aspects it's for the birds as Grandma used to say.

I am now 46 and ever so close to the big 5 Oh (fifty). Not really phasing me though. When I hit 30 I think reality set in more so. I was like, Wow I'm 30 and still alive. LOL! I was joking with the better half about that I don't have birthdays anymore last night. She said she quit two years ago at 40. Still in good shape and health but definitely started noticing things when I hit 40. Just seem to notice more each year. I appreciate it!

It's 16* here today and literally feels like a heat wave now. Sunny too.

 

[F4jock]

LOL! Thanks, Although still a younger buck I think it would be wise to think about turning around about now. Eyes are getting worse by the day. Starting to slow a bit and feel reminds of all the abuse I've put myself thru. This getting old is fun in the wisdom dept. but in other aspects it's for the birds as Grandma used to say.

I am now 46 and ever so close to the big 5 Oh (fifty). Not really phasing me though. When I hit 30 I think reality set in more so. I was like, Wow I'm 30 and still alive. LOL! I was joking with the better half about that I don't have birthdays anymore last night. She said she quit two years ago at 40. Still in good shape and health but definitely started noticing things when I hit 40. Just seem to notice more each year. I appreciate it!

It's 16* here today and literally feels like a heat wave now. Sunny too.

46? Poor baby. I was in my prime back then.

 

[hossthehermit]

LOL! Thanks, Although still a younger buck I think it would be wise to think about turning around about now. Eyes are getting worse by the day. Starting to slow a bit and feel reminds of all the abuse I've put myself thru. This getting old is fun in the wisdom dept. but in other aspects it's for the birds as Grandma used to say.

I am now 46 and ever so close to the big 5 Oh (fifty). Not really phasing me though. When I hit 30 I think reality set in more so. I was like, Wow I'm 30 and still alive. LOL! I was joking with the better half about that I don't have birthdays anymore last night. She said she quit two years ago at 40. Still in good shape and health but definitely started noticing things when I hit 40. Just seem to notice more each year. I appreciate it!

It's 16* here today and literally feels like a heat wave now. Sunny too.

Happy Bday, Bags ......... 46, huh?............. WOW , at 46 I was still tolerating my SECOND wife .......... on #4 now. got it all figgered out .....................

 

[panolo]

Burnt 3 tons so far. Starting on my 4th and gonna have to pick another up. Last 10 days we have been below zero. Hoping for a quick warm spring.