Archive for Monday, December 3, 2007
A burning hot trend
With natural gas, propane prices on the rise, more are looking to wood to warm their homes
December 3, 2007
Advertisement
Don Cottrell, left, and Darryl James split firewood in North Lawrence. Cottrell said he has about 225 customers in the area who regularly buy wood by the cord - a pile that measures 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high.
Don Cottrell stacks seasoned hardwood. The type of wood and its age can affect safety, woodcutters say.
Don Cottrell works on splitting up some seasoned hardwood November, 28, 2007, in north Lawrence.
On the street
Have higher energy costs affected the way you heat your home?
We use space heaters in whatever room we’re using and set our thermostat at about 67 degrees.
Heating costs
- Use the EnergySelector program to compare the cost of firewood to other heatsources.
- Warmerwinter may ease pressure on heating bills (11-13-07)
- Heatingcosts predicted to go up (10-10-07)
- Get the latestforecast »
Mike Garrett remembers the Sunday dinners of fried chicken at his great-grandfather's house.
He remembers as a young boy going into the living room to escape the bite of a cold, Kansas winter day. "Bonanza" or "Lawrence Welk" or some other show that now defines nostalgia played on the black-and-white television.
But what really has stuck with Garrett is the memory of the wood pile.
"Great-grandpa was in his 90s and he still had a firewood pile as big as a 20x40 house," said Garrett, who lives north of Lawrence. "It was so hot in that house."
Garrett now thinks of his great-grandpa at least three times a day - at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. when he grabs a log or two to throw on his wood-burning furnace.
"People say I remind them of him because I just love cutting firewood all the time," Garrett said.
Try sparking that type of memory with your natural gas furnace.
Mountain of wood
Garrett is among a surprisingly large contingent of area residents who rely primarily on chunks of oak, hickory, hedge or other woods to heat their homes.
Garrett has been heating his house near the Lawrence Municipal Airport with a wood stove or furnace since 1981. The memories the practice kindles are nice, but not quite as nice as the money it saves.
"Thirty-six dollars," Garrett says as he answers his own question of how much he spends per month on the electric heating bill for his two-level home that is more than 2,000 square feet. "And that is for the lights, the washer and dryer, the fans and all that."
As energy prices continue to rise - especially propane used to heat rural homes - people in the wood-cutting and stove-selling business say interest is increasing in the oldest of heating technologies.
"I had a mountain of wood when I started, and I'm down to five or six cords," said 76-year-old Sam Fish, who has been selling firewood in the area for about 10 years. "It sure seems like it is busier."
Don Cottrell said he has about 225 customers in the area who regularly buy wood by the cord - a pile that measures 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. He said almost all of his customers are using the wood for serious heating purposes rather than for an occasional marshmallow-roasting device.
"You can definitely save money, if you do it the right way," Cottrell said.
The rising cost of propane has made it easier for people to make the firewood equation pencil out. Propane prices nationally have been predicted to rise by about 30 percent from a year ago. The national average for natural gas prices has been projected to rise by about 5 percent from a year ago.
"I tell people who are living in the country and using propane that they're already paying for a wood stove - they're just not getting one," said Kathleen Benedict, manager of Lawrence's Swims & Sweeps, 1033 Vt., a store that sells stoves and fireplaces.
Sawing wood
But hold on: Experts also warn people who are thinking of converting to wood to make sure that they're not biting off more than they can chew. Or more accurately, more than they can cut.
"We don't like to push everyone that direction," said John Wade, manager of The Fire Place, 540 Fireside Court. "I'm not sure that it makes a lot of sense for someone living in the middle of Lawrence to convert to wood because they're still going to have to buy their wood."
In these parts, that likely will cost you about $150 to $175 per cord, depending on the species of wood and how long it has been "seasoned." Determining whether it is more cost-effective to burn wood or to stick with natural gas can involve some tricky mathematics that are dependent upon how efficient your wood-burning stove is and other factors. But one Web site run by Penn State University suggests that if you can buy wood for less than $160 per cord, it could be cost effective, based on the natural gas prices of this area. For propane, the chart suggests you could pay more than $200 per cord and still come out ahead burning firewood.
Of course, there's always the option of cutting your own wood, if you have a place to do so. But Wade has a key piece of advice for those folks sharpening their saws.
"They ought to go cut a cord first to see if they are going to like doing that," Wade said. "If you don't like doing that, it can get to be a job in a hurry.
"If they decide not to convert to wood, I guarantee they won't have a problem selling the cord."
Estimates vary based on the size of a house, but most people said it would take three to six cords a winter to heat an average home.
The hot stove
How warm your home will be, though, depends largely on what you're burning the wood in. Generally, most folks said old-fashioned fireplaces are better for cuddling around than doing serious home heating.
That's because many of the older fireplaces are "open," meaning the fire isn't burning behind a sealed glass. That situation allows the fire to suck valuable warm air - part of the combustion process - out of the room. Their big open chimneys also allow lots of cold air to enter the house.
Instead, wood stoves - or new fireplace inserts - are the more common choice for effective home heating. Many stoves - which also have dampers that allow the intensity of the fire to be controlled - cost $1,000 to $3,000. But installation could cost that much or more, if the home has not previously had a wood stove, Wade said. In that situation, installation will involve cutting holes in walls and ceilings.
Another option is the outdoor wood furnace. Garrett uses one to heat his home. The fire actually burns outside the house, but the heat travels through pipes into the home's ductwork. He said such furnaces sell anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
He also said the outside furnace might please your insurance agent more than a traditional wood stove. He suggested checking with your insurance agent about whether your rates would go up if you purchased a wood stove.
Wood stove merchandisers said that fire safety has improved over the years but that it is still important to have your chimney checked once a year. Chimney fires can occur when creosote, or tar from the woods burned, builds up in the chimney.
"Chimney fires are serious," Benedict said. "You can't see it right away because it is up in a hole."
But burning the right type of wood - and wood that has had the chance to dry out for at least several months - can greatly cut down on the fire risks, several woodcutters said. Generally, hardwoods such as oak and hickory are recommended by everyone.
Walnut is a more iffy proposition. Some think it is fine, but other said it can lead to creosote buildup and even stain your shingles.
Then there's hedge. Fish calls it the "Cadillac of woods" because it burns hot. Everyone agrees on that. But some say it burns too hot, which could lead to stove damage or unintended fires if not handled carefully.
The other issue with hedge is that is sparks badly, meaning extra care must be taken when burning it in an open fireplace.
In short, hedge is the type of wood that can create debates among old coffee-drinking men in small-town diners the state over.
Bet you can't say that about your furnace.
Top ads RSS
- MEDICAL BILLING & COLLECTIONS SPECIALIST Lincare, leading national respiratory company, ...
- LOCAL COMPANY EXPANDING Lawrence company looking for 15/20 people to ...
- Landmark National Bank
- Early Childhood Family Therapist Full-time opening for a Kansas licensed ...
- Now hiring people with DRIVE Drive for KU on Wheels ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Secular freedom July 9, 2009 · 131 comments
- Tiahrt's plan to repeal federal stimulus would deepen state budget cuts July 9, 2009 · 26 comments
- Police surround Jayhawk Motel, apprehend juvenile robbery suspect July 9, 2009 · 67 comments
- Blog: Songs With The Name Of A State Or City In Their Title Or Lyrics July 7, 2009 · 225 comments
- Round Corner Drug, Cheese Shoppe closes July 8, 2009 · 111 comments
- Blog: Everybody Knows A Henry July 9, 2009 · 28 comments
- Donor ready to write Lawrence schools a check for new locker rooms at Free State — but there's a catch July 9, 2009 · 27 comments
- Budget crisis felt deeply at KU July 9, 2009 · 55 comments
- Sidewalk step July 9, 2009 · 32 comments
- Nation of faith July 8, 2009 · 100 comments
- Donor ready to write Lawrence schools a check for new locker rooms at Free State — but there's a catch July 9, 2009
- More than 2,750 turn out for community workout July 8, 2009
- Police surround Jayhawk Motel, apprehend juvenile robbery suspect July 9, 2009
- New cardiovascular director hired at KU July 9, 2009
- Round Corner Drug, Cheese Shoppe closes July 8, 2009
- Lawrence Arts Center director announces resignation July 8, 2009
- Moving forward: KU study explores how senior citizens part with possessions July 7, 2009
- Kansas education secretary nominated for federal job July 7, 2009
- Basehor-Linwood softball suffers upset loss May 19, 2009
- Stricter labeling urged for bottled water July 9, 2009
3 December 2007
at 6:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
LogicMan (Anonymous) says…
Burning wood is much more polluting than natural gas or propane; Denver, for example, has wood-burning bans at times during the winter due to their pollution problems.
Also, spending the money instead on weatherizing your house, installing CFLs, etc. is likely much more cost and time effective. At least for now.
3 December 2007
at 7:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
75x55 (Anonymous) says…
Best piece of advice in the whole article - before you buy, go cut a cord of wood. I recall many a day as a teen spent cutting, splitting, loading, unloading and stacking wood (without one of those awesome hydraulic splitters). Most of these calculations leave out that kind of sweat equity.
3 December 2007
at 7:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Tandava (Anonymous) says…
I don't like fires in a fireplace behind glass. It ruins the effect. Most fireplaces, including the ones behind glass, are horribly inefficient. There is, however, one open fireplace design that IS efficient: the Rumford. Even though it was designed in the late 1700's (or maybe the early 1800's), most people have still never heard of it today. Construction is a bit expensive, but that is true about any good open fireplace.
I love burning hedge in my open fireplace. The shower of sparks that it sometimes sends out into the room is better than the 4th of July.
3 December 2007
at 8:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
mooner (Anonymous) says…
Burning wood emits lots of CO2, about the same as coal.
3 December 2007
at 9:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
logrithmic (Anonymous) says…
As someone who has spent some time over the last two years chain-sawing wood, hauling, and stacking it, I can say without hesitation that it's a lot of work. Especially on the weekend. A lot of work.
$150-$175 a cord would be a hard way to make a living.
Here are the issues:
1) To cut a cord of wood can take a couple of days - which includes finding the wood to cut down, getting a chain saw to it, cutting off branches, cutting the tree/branch into reasonably small chunks, and then getting it to someplace where you can haul it off.
2) Once you've moved the wood to a trail or something like it (note if it's a really big tree you won't be able to lift it), then you've got to get it into a truck or cart and move it to a storage shed that will keep it dry (as an option you can put large tarps over a large woodpile, but I've found this to be ineffective).
3) Once you've moved the wood to where it will be seasoned, you have two more arduous tasks - splitting the wood and stacking it. This can take as long to do as cutting it, even with a splitter!
3) You have to allow for the wood to season. My wood burning stove, which I have not used yet, states unequivocally that you must season the wood for one year. That means wood I cut this year will not be usable until next year.
4) If your shed is located away from your house (as mine is), you have to get the seasoned wood up to the house. I have built a little tarp covered area to house my “weekend fireplace” wood.
5) I only burn wood in the fireplace. This allows me to keep my electric heat down to reasonable temperature (no higher than 70, and generally 65). But it confines me to only one area of the home.
6) You must also factor in chimney sweep costs.
7) Always keep in mind that your chain saw, lawn tractor, or truck uses gas and oil. My chain saw goes through gas pretty fast. I get about an hour of use from my chain saw before I have to refill. Chain saw blades need to be replaced periodically.
8) Most importantly, chain saws are dangerous. You have to be extremely careful with them as there is zero tolerance for mistakes. The average guy will not want anything to do with it. I've found myself looking down at the chain saw blade spinning just over my arm. It's a scary business:.
Why do I do it? It's a challenge, it's a good way of clearing underbrush and dead trees from my property, it's a great workout, and it's nice to sit in front of a fireplace. But the long and short of it is that it's also dangerous and arduous work.
The question that needs to be answered is whether all of this is worth it to you?
I've always liked a fireplace and enjoy having friends over to warm themselves by the fire. So for me it is.
3 December 2007
at 9:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
We set our thermostat at 68. Nighhtime to 62.
If I get get cool a jacket or vest warms me.
3 December 2007
at 9:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
Good post, logrithmic. As with all technologies, there are tradeoffs. We are only just beginning to assess and acknowledge the negative aspects of fossil fuels as a way to heat and power our economy. Burning wood for heat his a viable alternative to heating with gas or electric, but not for all, and not in all circumstances.
3 December 2007
at 1:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
OnlyTheOne (Anonymous) says…
Don't burn “wood” get a pellet stove! Yes, I know it's still wood but not nearly in the quantity a fireplace will consume and they are really efficient but would've resulted in a tremendous insurance penalty (just like a fireplace) here.
3 December 2007
at 4:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cobaltblue (Anonymous) says…
I have been using a pellet stove (Quadra Fire) for two years and it works great. Most of the time it is the only heat we need but do have propane back-up for when it really gets cold. Pellets are made from oak sawdust and come in 40lb bags. Depending on the setting, one bag can last up to three days. Cost has been running about $4.50 per bag. Corn is about as cheap but there are storage problems with corn (mice, etc). Pellet stoves can be vented straight out of the side of the house, no need for expensive and extensive chimney pipes. Hedge is the best wood around, I use it for my sauna.
3 December 2007
at 4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
merrill (Anonymous) says:
We set our thermostat at 68. Nighhtime to 62.
If I get get cool a jacket or vest warms me.
––––––––––—
Same for me. Except if I get get cold I love to heat up the oven and cook. Takes the chill off and you can fill the fridge with meals that you can eat the rest of the week or share with a neighbor.
3 December 2007
at 5:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cg22165 (Anonymous) says…
Response to Mooner,
The difference between burning wood and fossil fuels is that the carbon in wood as recently come out of the atmosphere; burning it is merely recycling carbon in the biosphere. In the very long term perspective, so is burning coal, etc.; however, current life on the planet has evolved in a biosphere that has a certain level of carbon (in the form of CO2) and burning fossil fuels by the gigaton changes that level.
In the very long term perspective, by burning fossil fuels, mankind is returning the planet to a state it has been in before (at least in terms of carbon in the biosphere). Change happens, but we need to be concerned about the rate of change.
Point of curiosity (and risking exposing my ignorance): Other than fossil fuels and diamonds, what kinds of minerals contain large amounts of carbon? I can't think of any. Does that mean that at some point in the ancient past most of the carbon in fossil fuels existed in the biosphere?
Pure fantasy: Is that why mammals/birds (warm blooded) have only recently evolved or become dominant? Really higher levels of carbon and hence CO2 than exist today would have caused a much warmer world. What's the math? Would O2 levels have been significantly lower as well? Lower levels of O2 would have favored lower metabolic rates as well.
3 December 2007
at 7:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
wats211 (Anonymous) says…
65 daytime…55 at night……but really 55 all the time…and a small energy efficent space heater next to your feet while sitting or an electric blanket…no problem….as far as pipes…heat tape…duh!
3 December 2007
at 8:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
riverdrifter (Anonymous) says…
OnlyTheOne,
I have a pellet stove and my insurance co didn't give a hoot when I told them I put it in, so I don't where that comes from. My stove is about 98% efficient. My neighbors don't even know I have it -almost no smoke. Expensive investment, but I like it. I've got 3.5 tons of pellets laid in, good through most of the 2008-09 winter, depending. I use to buck 4-7 cords of hedge per winter for use the following year but I've never been this old before & don't want to do that any more.
3 December 2007
at 8:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
wats211 (Anonymous) says…
riverdrifter…hilarious……i know what you mean….but if you just make time a half hour a day..everyday..you will have plenty and you won't have to work too hard.
i go out right before dinner and buck away for a few minutes..no problem.
3 December 2007
at 8:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
blindrabbit (Anonymous) says…
Burning wood has some disadvantages but I can attest it does warm more than once. Don't believe it, go out and cut, split, stack and carry a cord and you will find out for yourself. Good exercise!
Word for the wise: If your are purchasing fire wood make sure you know what you are getting! Many firewood venders do not know the definition of a cord (4x4x8 or 128 cubic feet). Many will call it a cord even though it may be much less!!!!! I have seen terms like “face cord”, “rick cord”. Also, most pick-up loads, even those stacked 2 feet high are really only about 1/2 of a cord. Here it comes down to dealing with a honest seller and applying “buyer beware”.
3 December 2007
at 10:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
spacystaci8 (Anonymous) says…
I have the outdoor furnace too. I love it. We of course don't mind cutting. Garrett is right our gas bill was only about $35/mth last winter. But we have somewhere to cut. One good thing about the outdoor stove is it will hold big chunks and green hedge is the best thing ever to burn in it. To me it is worth the $. We live in an old drafty house and you can crank that thermostat up and it doesn't burn more wood.