Are they really hot, and worth it?

[lightbulb27]

A fireplace insert... wood burning or pellet stove? Have you ever run one, and did it help lower your heating bill without causing other problems like dry air, shrinking wood floors?

What were you expecting? What a dirty mind... I'm thinking about my heating bill... sorta...

I know how to solve your heating 'issue'...

For about $5000

You just wait til you see your heating bill this year, you're going to want something that puts out some heat!

yes they work well

didn't work so well

never tried a wood/pellet burning stove insert

There's more than one way to solve the problem

[DJB72]

Cheaper than electric or gas heating but messy to clean every couple of days.

Traditional cast iron wood stove is best. You don't see as much of the fire so less ambience but the heat will warm up a whole house if you get the right size.

Open grate is effective only while burning and there's risk of logs falling out.

An alternative is to import an Aga or Rayburn from the UK - expensive but they have a wood fired oven and hobs warmed by the fire you can cook on. Heating and cooking costs from a single central fire. Efficient and reasonably clean.

I live in South Africa. Heating in the mountains is essential but very expensive. Stoves are the way to go.

[Astarlessnightsky]

It depends what type you got.

The Fireplaces inside the wall aren't too good for heating, as the heat just rises up and is gone.

You need a special oven where the fire heats up special bricks or other heat storing building elements, some for example have water tanks sorounding the fire place,... that way you can really heat your entire home quite nicely.

[MCheetah]

Just rub da two dicks togetha. That'll cause some friction and put sum' asses in the seats! Hurr hurr hurr, hurr hurr hurr, hurr hurr hurr, hurr hurr hurr, hurr hurr hurr!

[hahahmm]

Bro, just buy some Arctic jumpsuits with the 8 inch thick fur lining, some long undies and a LOT of coffee. You'll be okay... ha ha

[hahahmm]

Be sure to read this article nasdonline.org/.../...ey-by-heating-with-wood.html -- Which says use non wood heating system when it's just a little cold. Use wood heater in very cold winter. Use a fireplace for mild weather. Bunch of explanations on that...

[lightbulb27]

I like cold, but the wife... she needs nice n toasty house.

[lightbulb27]

excellent link, ty!

[exitseven]

I had a wood burning stove that was vented up my chimney and sat on the hearth. I cut all my own firewood and heated my whole house with it for two winters It was a lot of work and I was a lot younger.

[Staximus]

Look up masonry heater, masonry stove, Russian fireplace, and mass heater. They were all designed for heat retention and long cold winters.

[NathanDavis]

warm and cozy... not for me

[Anonymous]

Are you in marketing?

[lightbulb27]

I used to own a product line... but I like being creative and wacky...