Wood stove vs gas fireplace

[What2doinA2]

Thanks in advance for taking time to review my post. My question is whether to replumb my current gas fireplace (so it will work) or replace it with a wood burning stove.

Background. Moved into new house last year. Cold living room has wonderful gas fireplace. Fireplace doesn't work because the gas line is too small. However, it will cost approx $1000 to redo gas line and re-carpentry the basement. Will have to tear into finished basement ceiling to access gas line to update this line and then will have to redo nice carpentry work.

Living room is cold. Lots of windows and not lots of heat. Would like to have something working in fireplace to warm this room and other rooms on the main floor. House is large so heating bills are expensive. If a wood burning stove could keep living room warmer and help keep house warm thus reducing heat bill, I would be interested. I don't imagine I would ever keep gas fireplace on while away, although my understanding is that this is indeed what you do with wood burning stove..

Got a quote for wood stove at about $7000.
Is the wood burning stove investment worth it vs simply replumbing the nice gas furnace (pic attached)?

 

[JayD]

First do you have wood or access to free wood? Or will you have to buy it? Free is great if you have the {time and the proper equipment} Saw and splitter. Most wood thats split and sold as seasoned {is not even close to being ready to burn} so you have to buy ahead and let it dry or season more. If you have to buy your all your wood you may be better off with a pellet stove that fits your fireplace or vents up your fireplace chimney . I would spend some time here and do some research.

 

[Cynnergy]

Lol you are on a wood burning forum... the answer is yes to wood .

But in all honesty, you should ask yourself whether you would be happy with wood. It can save a lot for heating bills, but there is also some/a lot of work involved. Would you have to buy wood? If not, do you have the tools and know-how to cut, split, stack it or are you willing to learn? Do you have the room to season and store it? Wood heat can be a bit messy, are you ok with this? Do you have another heat source so that if you need to go out of town your pipes won't freeze?

If you can post a pic of your floorplan and let us know the stove you got the quote for, we can give you an idea of how well the insert might heat the home.

 

[Cynnergy]

If you put a freestanding stove in front of the fireplace, you might be able to save some $ on the install cost. Even more if you're handy and want to install yourself.

 

[DougA]

If you have to buy the wood, NG will often end up cheaper, safer and easier.
Cheaper - $1K vs. 7K for install but then the cost of wood, storage area, etc. When you sell the house, a wood stove will usually decrease the value, gas fireplace will increase.
Safer - wood stoves are plenty safe IF you have learned to operate it safely and have a good stove and a good installation. If you have read this forum, it is full of people who have problems with both. It can be very frustrating spending 7K or more, then having constant problems. Usually cheap used stoves should be avoided by inexperienced people unless you are heating a work shed.
Easier - a gas fireplace can be set on a temp. and forget it. Super easy. If you are away, just turn the thermostat down a bit and walk away. Wood stoves have to be fed 2 to 4 times per day, ashes carried out, chimney swept, extra insurance, splitting wood, carrying it, etc. Most of us love the whole aspect but it is not for everyone.

 

[Husky]

Thanks in advance for taking time to review my post. My question is whether to replumb my current gas fireplace (so it will work) or replace it with a wood burning stove.

Background. Moved into new house last year. Cold living room has wonderful gas fireplace. Fireplace doesn't work because the gas line is too small. However, it will cost approx $1000 to redo gas line and re-carpentry the basement. Will have to tear into finished basement ceiling to access gas line to update this line and then will have to redo nice carpentry work.

Living room is cold. Lots of windows and not lots of heat. Would like to have something working in fireplace to warm this room and other rooms on the main floor. House is large so heating bills are expensive. If a wood burning stove could keep living room warmer and help keep house warm thus reducing heat bill, I would be interested. I don't imagine I would ever keep gas fireplace on while away, although my understanding is that this is indeed what you do with wood burning stove..

Got a quote for wood stove at about $7000.
Is the wood burning stove investment worth it vs simply replumbing the nice gas furnace (pic attached)?

I just replaced my wood stove this year with a pellet stove. I was going to replace with another wood stove but after visiting my local wood stove shop I was introduced to pellet stoves. As I have been burning wood for over 20 years I didn't even think of using anything else. I was pretty impressed with the pellet stove and how much heat actually came out of one of these units. As a wood burner I didn't think I could get the kind of heat I wanted out of anything else. After several months of research I finally decided to go with the pellet stove. This is what convinced me of going with the pellet stove, gas was not even considered because I wanted decent heat and didn't want to add to my utility bill.

First 18 years I had access to free wood, but still a lot of work to cut, split and stack. You will handle wood about 4 times by the time you actually burn it. This was worth it to me as the work is great exercise. Now that I am pushing 50 I wasn't really sure I wanted to commit to the investment of a new wood stove because that meant another 20+ years of all this work, and again it is a lot of work. Another thing you need to consider is the space you will need to have 1 years supply, for me that was 4 cords, the year before you burn. That means space for 8 cords of wood. This is essential if you want good dry wood for the season you are burning. The investment of a pellet stove is about the same as a wood stove.

The reason I went with a pellet stove. The cost of pellets compared to wood is about the same. So if you have to buy your wood their is no savings. The cost of the stove and install is about the same. Pellets are easier to store and carry into the house. The space for the pellet is much less than the year supply of wood and you only need one season's worth on hand. The heat is impressive if you are looking for a secondary heat, which I was. My wife can handle the 40lb bags, which is much easier to deal with than a days supply of wood on the mantel. Much cleaner in the house, wife is much happier. Only fill the hopper twice a day. Set thermostat and that is the temperature you get.

I am heating 2300 sq. ft. I have a 2 story pretty open layout home with cathedral ceiling in front of home opened to the second floor. I've been able to keep the front of my home 71 and the upstairs bedroom farthest away at 67. The back of my home, family rm./kitchen, where the stove is located, temp running around 75. I have not had to turn the furnace on yet this year and I'm hoping to hold off until Turkey day.

Just my two cents. Good luck with your decision.