The thing with owb's is that once installed the only cost of running one is gas for the saws and the truck. The trick is to make sure you use some kind if well insulated pipe system running underground. I know i keep my house and shed alot warmer than I would if I was buying propane. I would have spent a small fortune if I was buying propane. Everyone has a different opinion as to what a crazy amount of wood is too. I burn about 15 cord a year I think. Is that a crazy amount to heat a 5000 sqft house to 80° and a shop to 65°(it's 2340 sqft with 14 ft ceiling) and supplement my hot water for the house. I don't think so. It just depends on what you want to heat as to how much wood you burn. You just have to be realistic with all the variables like the age of the house, R-value in the ceiling and the walls and windows and how warm you want it. Sorry this isn't organized very well but hopefully you get my point.