One year ago today, 12/4/07, I joined this forum looking for information on wood stoves. I had already installed our stove and had been burning for about 10 days. It's funny, now that a new heating season is upon us, the "newbies" are asking the same questions I and many others were last year. For those still on the bubble as to utilize an alternate heating source, I fully recommend taking the plunge if funds are available. I realize I'm not the typical application, but we were able to recover the costs of the stove and piping in ONE winter. So this winter its all sweat equity and chain saw fuel that is tied up in keeping us very comfortable and not stressing about the gas man.Next best thing, I now own 4 chain saws and use every one of them!