Oil Bill Savings with Wood Stove Insert??

[Bogman]

OK so I realize that there are numerous variables affecting the performance of a wood stove; fuel, burntime, insert size, fan, make, house insulation, user etc etc but I'm trying to get a feel for how much oil (%) can be saved from reduced oil heating bills.

My neighbor (vermont castings wood stove) swears that his oild bill came down by 50%. Has anyone done an analysis of the before and after savings of having a wood stove installed?? I guess reviewing gallons used makes the most sense as we all know that price has been fluctuating somewhat lately

I'm just curious to see what % ranges people put out

Bogman

 

[btj1031]

50% less oil for me, then factor in cost of heating with wood. Its worth it!

 

[burntime]

I saved 95% of my natural gas bill, and the house was warmer.

 

[eba1225]

Last year was my first year and my oil usage was cut by 2/3. Normally burn 500 per winter (Oct-Mar) but this year was 170. I expected to see usage drop by 1/3 but when I did the year end tally it showed up as double what was expected, needless to say I was estatic.

The main floor was comfortable, the 2nd floor (bedrooms) were cool.

 

[trailblaster]

I use 75% less propane because of my wood stove insert and yes, my house is much warmer. I still use propane for gas dryer, water heater and for heat when we are gone for more than a day.

 

[savageactor7]

I figure we save 3k a year using wood to keep my wife as warm as she requires it. Of coarse we harvest our own wood and that will add to your savings.

 

[Vic99]

Once I got the hang of my wood stove, from Jan. on, I would use only 15% of the natural gas that I used for that month in the previous year. Realize that you will probably be less efficient in the first month or two. Also, if you are serious about this, start collecting wood NOW. Wood will need a MINIMUM of 6 months to season. If you don't get the wood yourself, assume that wood advertised as seasoned is not and you will be safe seasoning yourself.

Few other things to consider:

- Start up costs. I initially figured that the cost of the stove, chimney liner, and installation cost would take me 4 years to reach the break even point. Now I believe that it is closer to 2.5 or 3 since fuel costs have gone up.

- Cost to process wood/transport wood if you get it yourself. Chainsaw, fuel, etc.

Having a visible fire in the living room 24/7 and the year round workout of doing own wood processing, though, is priceless.

Good luck.

 

[webbie]

A good savings can be had, but it is important to understand that wood burning is a life style - and not suited to everyone and every situation. Savings will, of course, depend on what you pay for the wood and many other factors.

In general, a well located stove in a mid-sized house can take care of 65 to 85% of the yearly heating need..if run almost full time. Many folks use them just on evenings and weekends..to get as warm as they want, while not worrying as much about the oil bill.

 

[FatttFire]

Webmaster is correct it is a life style! It is like everything else the more you put into it, the more you get! I installed a tankless hot water tank, and I burn wood from Oct. to May and in the last 20 months I have used 86 gallons of propane! I estimated last winter I saved myself $3800.00 with the tankless hot water, and my old non epa certified Fisher kicking it in the basement! :lol: The propane man drives by my house crying, then waving his fist shouting obsenities!

 

[Tfin]

Before my wood stove I would burn approximatley between 275 and 300 gal from say Oct to May (heat and hot water).

Last year with the wood stove (free standing unit) I burnt between 90 and 100 gals from Oct to May (minimal heating, mainly hot water).

Definately a significant savings there. But as previously stated, you shouldn't burn wood for savings alone. I truely enjoy burning my stove. I also enjoy cutting, splitting and stacking my wood......lugging it, not so much. But hey for me....its more than worth it. Especially when there's a cranking snow storm outside, its 76 inside, and I'm sitting on the couch staring at the flames with an adult beverage of choice in hand.

Can it get any better?

 

[burntime]

2 adult beverages of your choice! I hear you, in the winter my folks always want to come over...my mom says that all the aches and pains go away when she thaws out.

 

[Jags]

I save about 75% compared to propain alone. BUT...I have also replaced some old windows and have tightened up the place some as well.

 

[Patapsco Mike]

I went from burning 3-4 tanks of fuel oil a year (275 gallon tank) to one tank in 3 years after installing a wood stove in my old house and burning it 24/7 most of the winter. I still used oil for the few cold days spring and fall when it just wasn't worth firing up the stove. My house was also 8 degrees warmer.

Burning oil/propane when it's only a bit cold outside doesn't eat a lot of fuel. It's when it's COLD COLD outside and the furnace cranks all day and all night long that you gobble fuel like crazy. This is when the woodstove really saves you some money.

Edited to add- I figured at the time that it took me about 3 years to recover the cost of my stove + stovepipe (I installed it myself). With fuel oil prices the way they are now, it would have taken less than two years).

 

[Hogwildz]

Bought this place in summer of 2006, had tank filled up that September at what I though was expensive at $2.00 per gallon.
Have not had it filled since installing the new insert that Christmas. Was a lil on the lazy side that year letting the oil bun in the mornings.
Still have abut 1/4 tank of oil left. 0 oil used last winter. As far as I am concerned I am off the oil grid. Yes much more work, but its satisfying for me.

 

[Hunter819]

I agree with everyone above. There can be a great savings with wood heat over oil. I saved 75%+ on my propane bill after I installed my stove. Plus, if/when the power goes out, I'll still be as warm as if it didn't go out. And, I get to directly control the cost of my fuel not someone else.

It is a little more work tending to the fire as well as cutting, splitting and stacking the wood pile but it is satisfying in the end for me. I love to watch the flames dancing around the firebox when it's freezing out and I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt in February!

Hunter

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I haven't kept track, but my house is warmer than it would be firing oil alone. The wife is happy... so I'm hapy

 

[fossil]

Don't have oil, don't have NG, don't have propane. All we have is electricity for HW, forced air heat, and everything else that uses it. Before we moved here, we had tenants in the house for a year. During the previous winter, he said he was paying $400.00/month for power. This last winter was our first in the home, and we burned wood...a lot of wood. The highest electric bill I've seen here yet was about $100.00. We're doing a major remodel, and paying close attention to tightening the whole place up, replacing all the windows & doors, and installing a new higher efficiency variable speed electric furnace (which I hope to very rarely use). Burning wood costs me money and a good deal of effort, but I like it and I think it's worth it. Rick

 

[ControlFreak]

Just look at it this way:

Every BTU of heat from the wood stove, is a BTU of heat that you're saving in oil.

This may not be exactly the case, but I think it's a good generalization.

 

[RedRanger]

The savings are substantial (at least 50%). Best thing though for me is that I enjoy bucking,splitting, and stacking the wood. I`m retired and it gives me something useful to do. And wood is a real "feel good" heat.

 

[gibson]

I'll share with you the math that made my stove purchase decision this year. I am currently paying a ceiling price of 3.04/ gal for oil, which I have used 975 gal for heat and hot water this year. That equals just under $3000 for the year. If I use the same amount next year at $4.50 /gal, that will equal approx $4400 next year. Assuming a 50% reduction, which I have been told by experts who have looked at my house and layout is conservative, that would yield a savings of over $2200 for next year alone. I have obtained 3+ cords/wood for a very low price for this year and plan on buying in "grapple" loads for subsequent years. If I get anywhere close to that I will be thrilled, as I look at the investment of wood burning insert and chimney liner as an investment in the home, as well as a heating source. Wood acquisition cost will be a key factor for cost savings, if you pay $250 a cord your not going to save as much money. Still cheaper than $4.50 / gal ...

 

[sapratt]

I really can't put my info in savings since I haven't heated with wood yet. But I hope it reduces the 250 a month gas bill. I do have to agree also it does take a certain type to burn wood. If your not one who likes to do alot of physical work than wood burning is not what you want.
I don't know about the rest but for me its been pretty much non stop wood collecting and splitting since December. I like doing it especailly splitting wood great stress releiver for me. My dad on the other hand who gave me the stove hated doing the work and decided he wasn't saving money because of all the work he had to do. Also if your going to buy wood you have to look at how much your spending on wood vs. how much you spend on gas or oil. If I'm wrong on any of these please correct me.

 

[johnsopi]

I've used @ 200gal in 3 winters mostly 1st spring, all most none this year House is all ways @ 78 in winter.

 

[iceman]

bought my stove last year roughly 2800 installed with liner
due to not getting fully seasoned wood i spent about 1200 in wood...
so i was in it for 4000
no oil but woulda cost me 3500-4000 as i did not lock in woulda used 900-1000 gallons
still have wood from last year spent 400 plus 75 to rent splitter for weekend so 475 this year
sitting on at least 6cds if my math is good closer to 8 oil bill this year 0 savins this year 3500-4000
thats a fast turn around ...if the wood was seasoned when i got it last year woulda saved 500

 

[mayhem]

I knocked roughly 40-50% off my prior year's oil consumption (ie: gallons of oil used) this past winter, which was the first year wood burning. I've learned a few things and am making some minor changes (improved sealing of the stove and pipe to improve draft, fix another few leaky areas in the house, etc., and I expect to cut another 10-15% minimum off the oil consumption this coming winter.

House was much cozier this year than last...just have to do some work moving the air around more efficiently.

 

[Bogman]

I think the American public at large is starting to see the big picture when it comes to oil. Its going to run out and the prices are going to get higher

Does anyone know if there are any tax credits for installing a wood burning stove?

Bogman
"peat is my middle name"