“..took out my pellet stove (loved it) and replaced with a wood stove.”
I took out our woodstove and bought a Quadra-fire pellet stove 18 years ago. The only problem we’ve had was the igniter went south. $15.00 and 30 minutes of my time and it was back in action. I cut enough wood to sell from our woodlot to buy pellets for the winter. Have a generator for when the power goes out.
It’s nice not to have to worry about chimney fires. Clean- burning and efficient and set the thermostat at 55 and take off for the weekend. Also, don’t have to worry about Mrs. panax loading up too much wood and burning down the house. Love it! Would never go back to wood. We burn about a ton per month here in upstate NY and the house stays 70-75 all winter. That sure feels good when you come inside after blowing snow when it’s -10 below!
That was my Plan B when the power goes out - would be OK for a few days, but in a SHTF situation I may need heat without petroleum for six months.
I heat with oil and supplement with wood (finished basement), but know I can keep the entire house above 55 if the power goes out (and stays out).