Woodstoves (home, cost of, propane)

[Annyz]

We moved here 16 years ago and had a new energy efficient LP furnace in the home. We used it exactly ONE month. There was a wood burner in the basement and we have been burning wood every year since. Haven't used the LP even once. I am always cold and keep our little house at an average of 75 degrees. I would say we burn wood about 8 or 9 months out of the year. Last year we paid about $450 for the entire "cold season"!!! Can't beat that. The work is hard, but definitely worth the savings.

[susancruzs]

Love those pictures of the "pooches"! My next door neighbor has a little poodle and Maggie always runs for the den and positions herself by the fireplace after a walk!

[ekg56]

When we built our home this summer we put in a wood burner. Love it. We have a lot of trees that are down so we cut them up, took us a weekend and we should be set all winter. Hubby showed me how to work it when he is out of town. Looking forward to the savings.

[LML]

Not sure if this is still a problem but, many years ago, when we lived in northern Wisconsin, there was a very big problem with burning wood that had been treated with something that turned poisonest when burned. There were many illnesses and even a couple of deaths at that time. I remember we had to be very careful about the wood we burned and make sure it hadn't been treated with this stuff. Does anyone remember this and is it still a problem. It has been a long time since I've had a wood burner so I haven't kept up on it.

[ekg56]

I think creosote treated wood is the problem. We use trees that have fallen on our property so that has never been a problem. I know our town is looking into the outdoor woodburners because they create so much smoke and that causes breathing problems for some people.

[SportFury59]

A few years back there was a family in Price County or one of the other counties in that area, who contracted a lot of health problems. IIRC it was attributed to burning treated lumber, (2x4's,2x6's,4x4's, etc). The husband worked at a lumber mill that chemically treated this wood with a preservative and he would take the scraps home to burn in the family wood stove. Back then they used arsenic to treat wood. A couple years ago they started using a not so toxic product. But it's still taboo to burn treated wood. A few years back, wasn't a big box home improvement store owner/founder/millionaire/ fined by the State for burning treated lumber scraps in his back yard?

[SportFury59]

I've been burning wood for years also. Like EKG, for the most part I've been using storm downed trees from my property. Sometimes, though the wood hasn't had enough time to dry out enough so I have to scrimp around trying to find wood to burn the last couple cold months. At one time, a local company, Wisconsin Box, would sell their cutoff ends (hardwood); for $125 they would deliver a huge truckload to your door. Two loads would last the winter and then some. But eventually their truck broke and they discontinued that practice. Anyone know of other companies, in northcentral WI out there like that? Last year I bought 2 full cords of hickory, cut and split, from a family member (family discount). If you have a choice, hickory is the way to go. Clean burning, good heat and long lasting. But imho, if you have to purchase all of your wood, say at $200 a full cord, I don't think you're coming out ahead in cost. You can easily burn a full cord of wood in a month. Of course it all depends on the cost of NG, LPG, elec, and oil. But it seems when the price of those commodities go up so does wood.

[Geechie North]

I think I'd skip the loggers, and try the farmers who are supplementing their incomes with their woodlots. I'm in your vicinity and got three cords (split and stacked) for $150.00/cord.
Mixed hardwood and birch. Good stuff.

I also got 2 loads (another cord) of cherry and oak (not quite the quality, but close enuff.) cut to length, but not split, for me to play with this winter for $80.00.

That was through a friend.

[LML]

Originally Posted by SportFury59

A few years back there was a family in Price County or one of the other counties in that area, who contracted a lot of health problems. IIRC it was attributed to burning treated lumber, (2x4's,2x6's,4x4's, etc). The husband worked at a lumber mill that chemically treated this wood with a preservative and he would take the scraps home to burn in the family wood stove. Back then they used arsenic to treat wood. A couple years ago they started using a not so toxic product. But it's still taboo to burn treated wood. A few years back, wasn't a big box home improvement store owner/founder/millionaire/ fined by the State for burning treated lumber scraps in his back yard?

This is the kind of thing that was going on 35 years ago when I lived in the northwoods. I couldn't remember just what it was we had to watch out for but now that you have described this situation I'm pretty sure that is exactly what it was.

[115db]

Actually, I think woodburning stoves are the best source of heat by far. Fireplaces dont really give out a lot of heat but stoves? Man, those things put out! There have been times I had to open widows during snow season because it got so hot. But they are the best!