Wood burning pre fab fireplace?

[RCR 3 EVER]

I need to lower my heat bills during winter heat of our 1100 sq.ft. house. Heating with Nat gas and costing us at max last year of $100+ with our thermostat set at 60 deg. for 20 hrs. and then 64 deg for 4 hrs is terrible.:angry2:
I am considering a prefab fireplace as there is no room for stove to fit in main room. I would have to get rid of the hospital bed I currently use in the living room though. It is more comfortable than couch for my back problems.
The pre fab would fit in the closet area on the inside bearing wall of living room, and one long hallway connects to all the bedrooms.
I can not afford the hi efficicent models and cheaper ones look easier on moneyless pocketbook. Has anybody had experience with models such as Vanguard performance line fireplaces? How about circulating vs radiant . I think circulating would be better. I may be able to get help from family with initial setup of area for fireplace and then get the thing installed to cut the costs.
The wood is available from property 200 miles away so gas prices:jawdrop: is only issue there as I go up there several times per year and I could bring home a split face cord every time in our trailer. The splitter is on the property with plenty of dead and interfering trees.
I also can not be carrying massive loads into house as my back will not allow that, therefore this is a supplemental heating source for house. I still need heat to basement and when we are not tending the fire.
Bottom line: is the fireplace worth it? Will the heat offset cost of mileage. My furnace is 20 yrs old so about 50 % effic. I can not afford a new hi effic. furnace either.I also need to add some extra value to upside down house for least amt of cash which I do not have, but wife, dogs and I are tired of freezing. Any more info needed don't hesitate to PM.

 

[RCR 3 EVER]

Stove up north at cabin is similar to a Wonderwood Us stove. That is sufficient for that cabin with a blower. Are there any other brands suggested for pre fab. versions for our house for supplemental heat. We need to cut down on the heat bills.

 

[RCR 3 EVER]

Replying To Self

SINCE THERE ARE NO REPLIES IN 41 HITS, I will reply to myself!:crazy1:

There are no opinions on prefab factory built units. This is the only version of fireplace that will fit in your room? YES.

Unit may or not lower your heat bills. HUH

Wood supply is needed (DUH) but you probably have that covered with 120 acres of woods, although wood is 200 miles away. So what, I go to property numerous times per year.
Is anybody up at night to keep fire stoked? Yes, usually up during the night and sleep during the day, since I can't work.
Any other sites I can go to for info regarding fireplace forums that respond?:computer:

 

[DiscoInferno]

I've got both a Majestic prefab unit (not high efficiency) and a BIS Ultima zero-clearance unit (high efficiency, EPA cert.). There's no comparison in terms of either heat produced or wood consumed; the Ultima produces more and consumes less. A full load in the Majestic is gone in 2 hours. And I actually don't think an Ultima is that much more expensive. But if you have wood to spare and keep it loaded, a prefab with a blower can produce heat.

I think your bigger problem is that you're smack-dab in the middle of the EAB quarantine zone. I rather suspect it's illegal for you to haul firewood in from 200 miles away in any direction, as that would presumably involve crossing several county lines.

 

[A. Stanton]

You should also look at pellet stoves. You can vent them to pretty much anywhere. You might be able to sell off the firewood on your property to pay for its installation and pellets. I feel for you. If you were an illegal alien, the federal government would give you heating assistance.

 

[RCR 3 EVER]

I've got both a Majestic prefab unit (not high efficiency) and a BIS Ultima zero-clearance unit (high efficiency, EPA cert.). There's no comparison in terms of either heat produced or wood consumed; the Ultima produces more and consumes less. A full load in the Majestic is gone in 2 hours. And I actually don't think an Ultima is that much more expensive. But if you have wood to spare and keep it loaded, a prefab with a blower can produce heat.

I think your bigger problem is that you're smack-dab in the middle of the EAB quarantine zone. I rather suspect it's illegal for you to haul firewood in from 200 miles away in any direction, as that would presumably involve crossing several county lines.

You are right,however, Quarantine is for the lower peninsula. The whole lower peninsula is ok to transport Hardwood as long as you do not cross the bridge to Upper peninsula or state lines.

 

[Cowboy Billy]

Just a different option. I have my wood burner in the basement. I just take out a basement window and throw the wood in the window. Its a pain to carry wood into the house and I always ended up with a trail of chips/bark. With the wood in the basement I only have a small mess to clean up. Half the time I do not bother to stack it. I have found that the house feels cold at 75 deg with the propane heat here. But with the wood burner in the basement it heats the floor up and feels quit warm at 70 deg.

As I said just a thought.

Billy

 

[DiscoInferno]

You are right,however, Quarantine is for the lower peninsula. The whole lower peninsula is ok to transport Hardwood as long as you do not cross the bridge to Upper peninsula or state lines.

I had thought it was county by county, but I see that's not the case:

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1568_2390_18298-115218--,00.html

It's a little more complicated than just the whole LP: there are 3 different quarantine levels. But since you're in the worst-hit area, you can bring anything you want in. Just not out.

 

[RCR 3 EVER]

Just a different option. I have my wood burner in the basement. I just take out a basement window and throw the wood in the window. Its a pain to carry wood into the house and I always ended up with a trail of chips/bark. With the wood in the basement I only have a small mess to clean up. Half the time I do not bother to stack it. I have found that the house feels cold at 75 deg with the propane heat here. But with the wood burner in the basement it heats the floor up and feels quit warm at 70 deg.

As I said just a thought.

Billy

That is a good idea and we could use a stove instead, except our windows are glass block since our back yard floods in spring and we needed waterproof windows. Our courteous neighbors raised their lot by several inces and instead of water draining into their yard and into street it now pools behind our house. A flood of 5-6 in. often occurs when ground is frozen. All the city did was fine them for raising the dirt level, alot of help they were.

A. Stanton: It would mean loading ,unloading,stacking at house and reloading the trailer to sell the wood. It is too many steps for my back. I would prefer to just load trailer with split wood that family and I have split and unloading at our house for our use. The trailer is not a dump trailer and it is only 4'x8' single axle.

Bis Ultima at $1000+ is abit over budget even with stimulus check? But it sure looks nice and would surely heat the house with ease.