No, wait, think it was closer to $4.60; the hightest was $4.95. Last time i got gas was two weeks ago, and i think the middle was $3.85. Good thing winter is on it's way out; can only imagine what fuel oil runs - i use electric, which isn't cheap either, but it doesn't leave a nasty film on your walls.
Anyway, think i have an idea where these insane gas prices will lead, come next winter. As in back in the 70s, people came up with the bright idea of playing dan'l-boone - wood stoves. Yep, our grandfather's, who worked themselves into early graves, in order to PROVIDE their wives and children with drama-free heat, are probably saying, what the heck??
Here's the reality in boone-ville. First off, burning wood is not necessarily cheaper than fuel oil or electric. Firewood-Planet does not cut, deliver or stack for free. So, if you do all that yourself, you'll need a reliable backroads vehicle, chainsaws, spare chains, a place to store it - forget about outside under tarps, the wa-wa wwiiinnnddd will blow those things off...late at night or while you're at work.
And, of ccouuurrssee, it will either be raining, or will be raining. So, build a shed fred, and build one big enough to bring in a dolly, and be able to keep separate the wood that was cut last year, from that which was cut the year before. Actually, unless you cut in the dead of winter, and even so, it's best to only burn wood that is seasoned for two years; one year doesn't always burn well.
The stove itself isn't cheap either, and will need yearly maintenance. And be sure to keep an eye on the weather, because it's no fun bringing in wood when it's dark and slippery out.
Yep, playing pioneer is also time-consuming. After all the cutting, stacking, lugging logs into the house, there's the extra dust and grit to be swept after. Oh wait, then there's the ashes to lug outside. Best to empty early and often, because ashes left to accumulate, means more live ones. Also, empty then from the ash bucket, into a metal can with a lid - one solid enough that it won't tip over during high winds. Also, unless your stove is connected to a real chimney - which also needs maintenan$e - burning while there's high winds? Makes you wonder, what's the point!
And finally, the fun part. When those nasty noreasters roll in, your stove will probably back-draft and fill your house with smoke. Then you'll have to open doors and windows. So now, you're house just got a few degrees colder, and be sure you had previously shut your bedroom clothes closet. As for your raincoat, hanging on a peg in the back room, that will need the smokey smell washed out - as if you don't have enough laundry to deal with, as it is. Best to not use the woodstove during storms...sometimes have to wonder, then what's the point!
Point is: grandfather knew all about the woodburning bs. That's why he put in all those extra hours, and had drama-free central heat put in.
Oh, by the way, one of my late husband's buddies had recalled, during burning season, of every morning, before school, having to go out, in the cold/wet and dark, to lug in logs - needless to say, he wanted no parts of woodburning--period! Yell it and tell it, Tony!
As for pellet stoves, don't know too much about them, except they are electric dependent. Sounds like dan'l-boone lite bs.
