colson04
ArboristSite Operative
After moving into this house at the end of last years heating season, we didn't get struck hard with any propane charges. This year being our first full winter here, I'm already not happy. I had thought about wood last summer, but never did anything since I didn't think the sting of buying propane would bother me this much.
That said, I will have wood heat for next winter, though I am not sure exactly which route I will take. Currently, house is 2500 sq. ft total (1st floor + basement), very well insulated, and tight, and I have propane forced air heat and propane hot water heater.
I am considering either building a chimney, tieing into exisitng duct work and installing an Englander 28-3500 Add-on wood furnace, or installing an OWB that can heat the house and the hot water. Getting wood is not an issue, plenty of it available and I've already got seasoned hard wood that could be used on an indoor furnace for next year if I go that route. I can do the install of either option myself, plus build a chimney on the house if I do the indoor furnace. I have a walk-out basement and the furnace would be placed near the service door for easy handling of wood.
Lots of pro's/con's to both systems, and the cost of the OWB install (~$7500) is definitely higher than that of the Add-on furnace install (~$2500), but I'm not sold that cost is the only factor to consider. Wife is on-board with either system, she likes heating with wood. She grew up with a wood stove in the living room so she's fine with burning wood and tending a fire, just not sure which route we should go.
Here's the $10,000 question: If you were in my shoes, which system would you install, and why? (Englander Furnace or an OWB?)
That said, I will have wood heat for next winter, though I am not sure exactly which route I will take. Currently, house is 2500 sq. ft total (1st floor + basement), very well insulated, and tight, and I have propane forced air heat and propane hot water heater.
I am considering either building a chimney, tieing into exisitng duct work and installing an Englander 28-3500 Add-on wood furnace, or installing an OWB that can heat the house and the hot water. Getting wood is not an issue, plenty of it available and I've already got seasoned hard wood that could be used on an indoor furnace for next year if I go that route. I can do the install of either option myself, plus build a chimney on the house if I do the indoor furnace. I have a walk-out basement and the furnace would be placed near the service door for easy handling of wood.
Lots of pro's/con's to both systems, and the cost of the OWB install (~$7500) is definitely higher than that of the Add-on furnace install (~$2500), but I'm not sold that cost is the only factor to consider. Wife is on-board with either system, she likes heating with wood. She grew up with a wood stove in the living room so she's fine with burning wood and tending a fire, just not sure which route we should go.
Here's the $10,000 question: If you were in my shoes, which system would you install, and why? (Englander Furnace or an OWB?)