Which type of wood heat is best for this situation? Wood stove or Wood

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Most of those old chimneys aren't safe to use anymore, and they're not really repairable, except by putting a stainless steel liner inside. That's what I've done. You aren't going to like heating your house with a wood cook stove, although I've known people that did it in small cabins. The reason is, wood cook stoves have small fireboxes, and you have to cut and split the wood into small pieces to fit. It's too much easier to cut firewood into bigger pieces, and feed a full-size stove. I like to buy a stove with the biggest firebox I can get, because that means longer burn times, and less time cutting and splitting wood.

I've never owned a backyard furnace, so I can't comment on those. I see in the news some cities have banned them for pollution reasons.
Wood heat is messy, so that would be a point in favor of having the furnace outside.

I heat with wood, and find that tending a fire is pretty much a full time job that you never really forget about. I like it, but I'm home to feed the fire, too. In some ways heating with wood is a lifestyle choice, as well as a way to save money.
 
We have a wood furnace in our basement. It is connected to our heat pump duct work, so that it gives heat through out the house. There is a thermostat next to our heat pump thermostat that kicks a little fan on when the temperature drops, and this builds up the fire and heat. When the heat around the fire box gets a certain temp, a blower kicks on and blows the hot air through the duct work. Our home is a brick ranch, 2500 sq ft + full basement, built in 1983
Down side----
You have to fill the fire box late at night to keep fire in all night.
If you have a large fire in the furnace and the temp gets up in the house you still are having heat come out because of the heat build up in the fire box.
We have a humidifier installed in the duct work that this heat comes through but the heat is still a very dry heat.
If you are away at work all day, sometimes you have to really work at getting a good fire built up for the night when embers are burnt down.
We can't tell a lot of difference in the electric bill because of the electric used with the blower and fan, but the heat is a warmer heat than the heat pump.
I don't think I would like an outside furnace just because I wouldn't want to go out in the snow and cold every night to fix the fire for the night.
 
Most of those old chimneys aren't safe to use anymore, and they're not really repairable, except by putting a stainless steel liner inside. That's what I've done. You aren't going to like heating your house with a wood cook stove, although I've known people that did it in small cabins. The reason is, wood cook stoves have small fireboxes, and you have to cut and split the wood into small pieces to fit. It's too much easier to cut firewood into bigger pieces, and feed a full-size stove. I like to buy a stove with the biggest firebox I can get, because that means longer burn times, and less time cutting and splitting wood.

I've never owned a backyard furnace, so I can't comment on those. I see in the news some cities have banned them for pollution reasons.
Wood heat is messy, so that would be a point in favor of having the furnace outside.

I heat with wood, and find that tending a fire is pretty much a full time job that you never really forget about. I like it, but I'm home to feed the fire, too. In some ways heating with wood is a lifestyle choice, as well as a way to save money.
 
furnace? Indoor or outdoor? Just bought an old farmhouse with 2400 square feet built in 1920. It has a newer electric forced air system and is very expensive in winter to heat so we want to put some type of wood heat. Wood is plentiful and cheap here. There are two old chimneys that are presently covered up and would need work to use. One is in the kitchen and one in the living room. I was thinking about a dual purpose wood cook stove that would heat the house as well but now I am thinking maybe a wood furnace might be better or more efficient. What are the differences between the indoor and outdoor wood-burning furnaces & (from someone who has one) what do you like about having a wood burning furnace? Also, does a wood burning furnace use it's own chimney or does it have to be hooked up to on that is already there. Of course I have calls in to a few companies -but everyone is out for the holidays and I won't hear back until next week so I am asking for opinions here. Thanks!
more details: I am home full time and do not mind tending to a woodstove. I kind of enjoy it. And the more I think about it I would have to admit that, just as important as saving money, is the fact that I love the way wood heat feels.
 
It sounds like you have a nice place. Wood would be the way to go, if inside, be careful that it is vented correctly. You don't need a fire.
In our 1872 (?) farmhouse, we went with a pellet stove in the parlor. Gas was too expensive.
There are building codes that might come into play for wood stoves, depends on where you live. You might not be able to use an already existing chimney, but might have to run a double walled pipe instead.
Take your time and research your options. You only want to spend money the once to get what you want.
 
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