I've been doing my research but I'm wanting to get some additional thoughts from you guys regarding the value of wood heating.
As some of you know. I recently got a wood insert (regency i1200) to heat 1200-1300sq foot one level house. I have a half finished open concept basement about the same size. I have recently started making a lot of trips to get quality maple hardwood for this coming winter and my spouse who is supportive and a great person said that I may be putting too much value and time into what we are going to actually get/save from wood heating vs central air gas heating.
Now all winter we kept the house cold (62f - 16 cel) and its -15 to -30celcius outside with windchill. The chill seems to really hit the inside of the house on windy days....anyway normally I don't really care as I just budle up but having my 4-6yr old kids say they are cold and not being able to afford higher temps in the house has me obsessing a little over the whole wood heat thing. So having more heat is already a win for me.
As far as value goes, my understanding is that I can save between $2-$3/day on the low end by keeping household thermostat temps low (60-62ferinheit/15-16celcius) and run the stove when we get home during the day so it's 10degrees ferinheit warmer inside during the day time (that's about 5 degress celcius warmer). Since I work nights I can load it with maple and be good for 3-5hrs when I get home. By loading it again before and after bed the central gas won't turn on all day. And I can load it before going to nightshift which would keep things nice and warm until 2-3am.....
I thought I was being conservative in my numbers but she thinks I'm not going to get what I think I'll get ($40-$80saved per month) the central kicks on every 15-20minutes on cold days. About every 30min on 0 to -5 Celsius days.
Am I putting too much value in thinking ill save $40/month by burning all day and potentially $80/month if I can manage to burn most nights as well?
All my wood is free and it's maple right now. About 4-5 facecords and growing.
I might be able to get a lot of willow but I read it burns like crap and needs tending every hour.
As some of you know. I recently got a wood insert (regency i1200) to heat 1200-1300sq foot one level house. I have a half finished open concept basement about the same size. I have recently started making a lot of trips to get quality maple hardwood for this coming winter and my spouse who is supportive and a great person said that I may be putting too much value and time into what we are going to actually get/save from wood heating vs central air gas heating.
Now all winter we kept the house cold (62f - 16 cel) and its -15 to -30celcius outside with windchill. The chill seems to really hit the inside of the house on windy days....anyway normally I don't really care as I just budle up but having my 4-6yr old kids say they are cold and not being able to afford higher temps in the house has me obsessing a little over the whole wood heat thing. So having more heat is already a win for me.
As far as value goes, my understanding is that I can save between $2-$3/day on the low end by keeping household thermostat temps low (60-62ferinheit/15-16celcius) and run the stove when we get home during the day so it's 10degrees ferinheit warmer inside during the day time (that's about 5 degress celcius warmer). Since I work nights I can load it with maple and be good for 3-5hrs when I get home. By loading it again before and after bed the central gas won't turn on all day. And I can load it before going to nightshift which would keep things nice and warm until 2-3am.....
I thought I was being conservative in my numbers but she thinks I'm not going to get what I think I'll get ($40-$80saved per month) the central kicks on every 15-20minutes on cold days. About every 30min on 0 to -5 Celsius days.
Am I putting too much value in thinking ill save $40/month by burning all day and potentially $80/month if I can manage to burn most nights as well?
All my wood is free and it's maple right now. About 4-5 facecords and growing.
I might be able to get a lot of willow but I read it burns like crap and needs tending every hour.