At the end of 2023, I embarked on a major remodeling project removing an old “zero clearance” fireplace (very inefficient) and replacing it with a new high efficiency wood burning stove. This required some pretty substantial demolition and reconstruction and complete replacement of the old chimney pipes to meet modern building codes. Since then, we’ve pretty much heated the house with wood.
Demolition
Original ZC Fireplace & Hearth
Osburn 2000 Freestanding Woodstove
So, on a recent trip to the farm, I loaded up some premium split hardwood and hauled it back to New Mexico. This wood is not easy to get out here in NM and if you do get it, it is very expensive. The wood at the farm is a free biproduct of cleaning up downed trees and branches during the course of the year. A cord (4′ x 4′ x 8′) of “oak” is $650 and is most likely imported from Oklahoma. Anyone with any common sense would realize that driving to Mississippi to get a cord of wood makes no sense. However, I had to go anyway and bringing it back was no extra hassle. I rationalize it by saying that the savings over purchasing the wood here in NM at least paid for my gas for a trip I would make anyway.
Here you can see the wood being loaded in MS, the wood after it is stacked in the yard in NM and the joyful, comforting result flickering in the front glass of the Osburn woodstove. This amount of wood should be adequate to keep the house cozy during the brief but intense winter we’re likely to have here. I’m so thankful that something so simple can bring us so much joy in our home. Saves on the gas bill too!
Loading at the shed in MS
Enjoying the heat
Stacked and ready in NM