No doubt about it. There is a commitment when you drop money on an outdoor boiler. I've had mine a good while. Sure has saved me a ton on gas and propane though. We used to heat the shop with propane. Have natural gas at the road for the house. Outdoor boiler heats both.you are braver than me. an outdoor wood burning heating system like that is a far bigger commitment than I'm willing to make to gathering firewood. at the end of the day, if I don't have any firewood, or don't feel like making, babysitting a fire, I still have a very nice propane furnace that keeps my pipes from freezing. Still, firewood is the best bargain in home heating if you are able to get wood for nothing more than your own time and effort.