DIY Network

I am a recent widow and I am trying to keep costs down. I have a propane forced air furnace which on the budget plan costs 251.00 a month. I am thinking of either installing a wood stove or cadet heaters. I was going for the insert, but it seems the fireplace is very unsafe. My home isn't very insulated and the propane cost is for keeping the temp at 66 or below always. I live in Montana and would like to stay warm. My husband passed away before we could make a decision on this. Any Suggestions?

Reality sucks but a wood stove would mean you'll have to find a place to buy the wood, have to go outside to carry it in, bringing in bugs and melting snow and wood chips. Without an outside intake vent the wood stove needs a lot of air to make it burn so it will be sucking air in from all the rooms futhest away from the stove making them colder not hoter.
In the winter the price of wood goes way up. (supply and demand)
Does your home have old wood uninsulated windows?
Replacing them would save you about 25% on your heating cost every year, and you could stop having to having to pay someone to repaint them.
If there's less then at least 6" of inslation in your attic now having someone add some would help also. It's to late to do anything about the walls now.

elabug:
I burn wood here in the freezing cold state of Michigan. I have a 3200 sq. ft. Tri-level home with catheaderal ceilings. I installed a wood burning insert in my old fireplace. Added Stainless Steel Flexable liner piping in the chimney. My wife loves it and we keep the temp. around 72/76° 24/7. But here is the kicker. I have access to all the Oak I can cut, split and haul. Now I am retired so I have the chain-saws, log spliter and 4x4 truck to haul it with. I enjoy being in the woods and feel this workout keeps me younger.
Now in your case you will have to buy the wood and as Joe mentioned it can get costly. You still want a supplementary heat source. Look into corn or pellet stoves. Much easier and cleaner to store, haul to the burner clean out ashes etc. You will want one with a fan or two on it. I even use a osilating fan in a corner to spread the heat around the area. Either way you still need the chimney flue inspected for cracks. If there is cracks you will have to have a new linner installed. That's so you won't burn down in the night. The cost of Pellets, Corn and Wood keep getting higher but not as fast as Propane Gas. In my case with the new Insert, chimney linner, and labor the total cost was around $4500. Our utility bill is never over $120.00 a month. Down from $300/400 a month. It will pay for itself in a short time and added charming beauty and comfort to our living room. It has to have added to the total value of our home also. Any way you go I wish You Luck.

a friend has this design for hauling wood in the winter. he installed a small 2ft door beside the fire place. when nis pile gets low
he opens his door and grabs a couple of logs from the wood pile outside. he says it better than running out side in the snow

frodo:
This type of wood box has been in use for years. Fill the box and remove what you need for a fire from the inside "Wood Box". Looks like a toy chest with a lid on top to remove wood as needed. Simular to the old Coal shutes and Coal bin.(usually in the basement near the Coal furnace).

thats what it was, its the first one i saw,
i thought it was a brillant idea.
he had the blowers on his fire placed hooked up to his ducts. cozy house

Rather than spend the money on more heat spend your money on keeping the heat you already have inside.

Insulating is the best thing you can do. Start with the obvious; leaking windows, leaking walls, open areas under the floor and then work to the priorities like lots of insulation in the attic to energy efficient walls.

Having recently exited a time in my life where money was hard to come by, in winter we did this:

1. Electric space heater that is oil filled to retain some extra heat in room where I am staying in.

2. Layers and layers of clothes

3. Thermostat at 59

4. When we had a chance we insulated areas of most importance.

5. At bed time, we stayed in one room with the portable heater and put a towel at the bottom of the door.

The heater was 39 bucks and lasted for 2 years with this kind of use...

This was in northern wisconsin so I think it should be enough for montana.