If you are looking for another heat source, I just had one of these installed and so far I am pretty happy with it. I kicked it around alot before the Winter and decided to go ahead and install the wood pellet boiler. I priced an oil furnace and a propane furnace. Both were cheaper (3,000 cheaper), but cost way more to run.
The wood pellet boiler also heats my water and so far it really works well. All I had previously was a heat pump and this house was cold in the Winter. I had an energy audit and made some improvements which helped a whole lot with the bills, but ultimately I needed an alternate source of heat.
My house stays around 72 and sometimes gets too hot now. The water is a constant 170 degrees from the boiler and you have to be careful in the shower, it does have a device to turn it down, which we have since done. I figure when it gets real cold I may burn 1 1/2 tons per month and I figure a total of 4-5 tons. I get a ton for 209 tax free at Home Depot. During this time I also use no electricity for the water heater.
I also have a wood pellet fireplace insert which I use when it's above 40 and it heats the house pretty well.
Just thought I would share in case anyone was considering this option. It's expenseive, but this Georgia boy couldnt take the Maryland Winters anymore. I must be getting soft.
The company often advertises in Outdoor Life.
