I never burned a lot of oil compared to many folks with similar sized homes -- I think it averaged around 600 gallons . . . however, for me that was 600 gallons too much . . . especially when they were talking $4 a gallon for heating oil last year.
I think last year we used 50-60 gallons of oil . . . and that's with our philosophy (my wife and I) of using the woodstove whenever possible, but not killing ourselves to make sure it is running 100% of the time. In other words, we went away for a week and the oil boiler was called into service . . . on some very cold mornings the oil boiler would kick on when temps inside reached 60 degrees or less.
I kind of think I ended up with the best of both worlds . . . I don't feel tied to the woodstove and yet prefer using the woodstove for the cheaper heat and so I use it the majority of the time . . . besides it's so much prettier to look at compared to my Pensotti oil boiler.
I think last year we used 50-60 gallons of oil . . . and that's with our philosophy (my wife and I) of using the woodstove whenever possible, but not killing ourselves to make sure it is running 100% of the time. In other words, we went away for a week and the oil boiler was called into service . . . on some very cold mornings the oil boiler would kick on when temps inside reached 60 degrees or less.
I kind of think I ended up with the best of both worlds . . . I don't feel tied to the woodstove and yet prefer using the woodstove for the cheaper heat and so I use it the majority of the time . . . besides it's so much prettier to look at compared to my Pensotti oil boiler.