Thursday, May 9, 2013

Old School

With all the devices we have available to us these days it has occurred to me that sometimes the old way is still the best.

Several of my favorite things in life could be classed as dated. I begin with cutting my own fire wood, who does that these days? In my street I think but can’t be sure but I’m the only one. The lack of smoke in the evening and the proliferation of the ubiquitous heat pump says it all.

Why? I mean why cut your own wood.  Firstly it’s cheaper just effort verses paying for power it’s a no brainer.

The capital expenditure isn't that large when you off set it with the power cost of the winter. I use an axe, tomahawk, chainsaw, and lately I've added a purpose built hand saw. Total cost $1200 I've purposely purchased top of the line tools as they in my experience last longer and preform to a higher standard. Within one and a half winters the expenditure was recaptured and now years later we are saving money every winter.

 Time is the big barrier here but I do not spend more than two hours at a time collecting cutting or stacking my wood. You don’t cut a year’s supply of firewood in one day you have to work at it over a period of time. Take your opportunities when they come.  The satisfaction of a result from you own labour is hard to measure and that’s why I keep coming back to this task it rewards me for my time and effort. 

It gets me out side and keeps me fit, I don’t know about the pollution but I’m not using any fossil fuel to heat my house. The fire box we use is a double burner so it produces less smoke and burns at a slower and higher heat than an open fire.

Our power bill stays the same winter to summer. We have dispensed with any form of power heater and clothes dryer. My drawing on the national grid is constant throughout the year and not putting pressure on the power system during peak times.  

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